EU Directive 2002/61/EC bans 24 specific aromatic amines from being released by azo pigments above 30 mg/kg. The 24 include benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl, MDA, and 2-naphthylamine. Compliant azo pigments are tested per EN ISO 17234 and EN ISO 14362. Always request the 24-amines-free certificate per shipment.
Why these 24 amines are banned
Azo dyes and pigments contain the azo group (-N=N-) which can cleave under reductive conditions (skin bacteria, gut flora, industrial reduction) to release aromatic amines. Of the hundreds of possible amine cleavage products, 24 are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or otherwise hazardous and are banned across EU markets.
The ban applies to consumer products in skin contact (textiles, leather goods, toys, jewelry) and migrates to other applications via REACH. Concentration threshold: 30 mg/kg of any single amine in the finished product after reductive cleavage.
Full list of the 24 banned amines
| # | Aromatic Amine | CAS Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4-aminobiphenyl | 92-67-1 |
| 2 | Benzidine | 92-87-5 |
| 3 | 4-chloro-o-toluidine | 95-69-2 |
| 4 | 2-naphthylamine | 91-59-8 |
| 5 | o-aminoazotoluene | 97-56-3 |
| 6 | 5-nitro-o-toluidine | 99-55-8 |
| 7 | 4-chloroaniline | 106-47-8 |
| 8 | 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine | 615-05-4 |
| 9 | 4,4’-diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) | 101-77-9 |
| 10 | 3,3’-dichlorobenzidine | 91-94-1 |
| 11 | 3,3’-dimethoxybenzidine | 119-90-4 |
| 12 | 3,3’-dimethylbenzidine | 119-93-7 |
| 13 | 4,4’-methylenedi-o-toluidine | 838-88-0 |
| 14 | p-cresidine | 120-71-8 |
| 15 | 4,4’-methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline) | 101-14-4 |
| 16 | 4,4’-oxydianiline | 101-80-4 |
| 17 | 4,4’-thiodianiline | 139-65-1 |
| 18 | o-toluidine | 95-53-4 |
| 19 | 4-methyl-m-phenylenediamine | 95-80-7 |
| 20 | 2,4,5-trimethylaniline | 137-17-7 |
| 21 | o-anisidine | 90-04-0 |
| 22 | 4-amino-azobenzene | 60-09-3 |
| 23 | 2,4-xylidine | 95-68-1 |
| 24 | 2,6-xylidine | 87-62-7 |
How testing works (EN ISO 17234 and EN ISO 14362)
Test method: EN ISO 17234 for leather, EN ISO 14362-1 for textiles. The pigmented sample is treated with sodium dithionite under controlled conditions (pH 6, 70°C, 30 minutes) to cleave any azo bonds. Liberated amines are extracted, separated by GC-MS or HPLC-MS, and quantified against calibrated standards.
Pass criterion: each of the 24 amines below 30 mg/kg detection threshold. Some markets (Germany, Netherlands) enforce stricter limits at 5 mg/kg for higher-risk applications.
Pigments commonly affected
Some traditional azo pigments derived from benzidine were workhorses for decades but are now banned: PY12 and PY14 (diarylide yellows derived from 3,3’-dichlorobenzidine), Pigment Orange 14, certain Pigment Red dyes from the early-20th-century palette. Modern certified azo pigments use replacement chemistries that don’t produce any of the 24 amines on cleavage.
When buying azo pigments, always request the 24-amines-free certificate. Quality manufacturers test every batch and provide grade-specific compliance documentation. Cheaper grey-market suppliers may sell uncertified azo grades that contain banned amine precursors. These are illegal in EU markets and carry significant brand and legal risk for buyers.
How Kanani Pigment & Paste handles this
All Kanani azo pigments are tested per EN ISO 17234 and EN ISO 14362-1. The 24-amines-free certificate ships with every consignment as standard documentation. Our manufacturing processes use only modern, certified azo coupling components and never the banned amine precursors. Contact +91 88499 95971 or [email protected] for grade-specific compliance documentation.
Recommended Grades from Kanani Pigment & Paste
The following Kanani Pigment & Paste grades are commonly specified in the contexts described in this guide. Click any product for full technical specifications, datasheets, and to request a free 50-100g evaluation sample.
- PY154: Benzimidazolone yellow, REACH compliant, free from 24 banned amines.
- PR170: Naphthol AS red, REACH compliant alternative to banned-amine reds.
- PR48:1: Barium-salt BONA red, certified free from 24 banned aromatic amines.
For grade selection guidance specific to your binder system, processing temperature, or compliance requirements, contact our technical sales team at [email protected] or +91 88499 95971.
Need help applying this to your specific application?
Our technical sales team works directly with formulators every day. Free 50-100g samples shipped within 2-3 business days.
Kanani Technical Team
The Kanani Technical Team brings together senior chemists, process engineers and pigment-application specialists at Kanani Dyes Chem LLP, Sayakha GIDC, Bharuch, Gujarat, India. Drawing on deep expertise in pigment chemistry, manufacturing and global B2B trade, the team advises formulators across paints, coatings, plastics, inks and specialty applications worldwide.