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 76008 95971 or [email protected] for grade-specific compliance documentation.
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About the Author
Bhargav Kanani is the Sales Director at Kanani Dyes Chem LLP, an ISO 9001/14001/45001/17025 certified manufacturer of organic pigments based in Gujarat, India. With deep expertise in pigment chemistry, manufacturing, and global B2B trade, he advises formulators across paints, coatings, plastics, inks, and specialty applications worldwide.