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Nickel and the EC Nickel Directive

I

InkyFingers

Full Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Posts
59
Location
UK
Hi Pen Turners,

I have made a few kitless pens in the past (just checked 4-years :goesred:) and as I'm now retired I have more time to spend in the garage.

The thing my pens lacked was bands and I think these can really make a pen look good. So I started investigating materials and came across Nickel Silver. It's quite cheap and worth a go.
But I cannot determine whether using a nickel alloy on a pen breaches the EC Nickel Directive. It uses the term "prolonged contact" and I can't find any clarification of what that actually means. A pen is used in the hand so if there are bands on the barrel there may be prolonged contact. On the cap there is unlikely to be any prolonged contact unless the cap is posted and the band rests against the hand.

Before I go off on a long hunt through regulations has any one come across this and found any guidelines?

Nice one for Christmas.:thumbs:

Have a Happy, Healthy, Christmas,

Andy
 
Neil

Neil

Fellow
Joined
May 21, 2013
Posts
3,132
Location
Hitchin, Hertfordshire
First Name
Neil
Don’t worry about it. The directive relates to the nickel release rate specifically for body piercing Jewellry. That is what is meant by direct and prolonged contact.
 
A

AllenN

Fellow
Joined
May 20, 2013
Posts
2,242
Location
Lancaster, UK
First Name
Allen
I agree with Neil, prolonged contact is referring to direct contact with the skin. I doubt that even if one was holding a pen such that the band was in contact with the skin one would do do so for long enough for that contact to be prolonged.
 
F

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
A good question is this one.....
I know (or think I know) why Axminster had to change their coatings on some faceplates etc. Perhaps this was the reason; although I can't see anyone holding a faceplate all day long :thinks::thinks:

Cheers
Frederick
 
M

MrTin

Apprentice Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2020
Posts
19
Location
Wisbech
First Name
Martin
I am 68 and I have been making nickel silver model locomotives and master patterns of same since I was 13 years old (first sheet of 12 thou. from York Road Model Railways in Kings Cross for 7'11d!) .
I love it, so much crisper than even half hard or leaded brass (CZ120 and CZ121). Takes paint better, polishes well too.

Snowflakes abound alas.

I'm just about to use some to make a clip for my Prokraft cap as it doesn't come with a pocketclip This is for my beautiful granddaughter in time for her exams early next year. I wouldn't risk her health for anything.

Martin
 
I

InkyFingers

Full Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Posts
59
Location
UK
Hi All,

This is why I asked.

Neil, AlanN, Frederick: I think it was directed at jewellery originally but I believe it also applies to nickel in general including door handles etc and in the workplace, HSE INDG351(rev1).

PenPal: I looked up nickel etc on Dr Google and this why I posed the question. There seems to be no direct reference to specific items.

MrTin: Obviously a great material but some are more sensitive to it than others.

My wife is allergic to nickel and if she were to put in nickel plated earrings they would cause itching within minutes and if if left in all day it would take 3 days for her ears lobes to recover.

I have read that the ECHA's definition of prolonged contact (2014) to be
• 10 minutes on three or more occasions within two weeks, or
• 30 minutes on one or more occasions within two weeks.

Now I exceed this in my use of a fountain pen but if there was no nickel on the barrel but only the cap then possibly no real issues unless posted.

I think I'll look into this deeper because nickel silver looks like an ideal material but I wouldn't want any one coming back with problems.


Cheers
Andy
 
M

MrTin

Apprentice Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2020
Posts
19
Location
Wisbech
First Name
Martin
Threading the stuff through your flesh is rather different from a touch from the clip of a pen!

I wouldn't worry about it, OR as nickel is ideal for plating have it silver plated or better yet plate it yourself with a small home kit.

Martin
 
wm460

wm460

Grand Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Posts
23,095
Location
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
First Name
Mark
InkyFingers said:
Hi All,

This is why I asked.

Neil, AlanN, Frederick: I think it was directed at jewellery originally but I believe it also applies to nickel in general including door handles etc and in the workplace, HSE INDG351(rev1).

PenPal: I looked up nickel etc on Dr Google and this why I posed the question. There seems to be no direct reference to specific items.

MrTin: Obviously a great material but some are more sensitive to it than others.

My wife is allergic to nickel and if she were to put in nickel plated earrings they would cause itching within minutes and if if left in all day it would take 3 days for her ears lobes to recover.

I have read that the ECHA's definition of prolonged contact (2014) to be
• 10 minutes on three or more occasions within two weeks, or
• 30 minutes on one or more occasions within two weeks.

Now I exceed this in my use of a fountain pen but if there was no nickel on the barrel but only the cap then possibly no real issues unless posted.

I think I'll look into this deeper because nickel silver looks like an ideal material but I wouldn't want any one coming back with problems.


Cheers
Andy
Click to expand...

Just like my missus.:thinks:
 
I

InkyFingers

Full Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Posts
59
Location
UK
I've looked into DIY silver plating and seems to be something I could manage.

It seems to be about £16 for the solution plus a silver electrode. Possibly a second hand ring. I'm not sure if it need to be pure but an electrode is only about £12.
I have all the other kit.

The original idea was to turn the rings slightly oversize, assemble the acrylic parts and rings, do a final cut and then polish. This would give a totally flat surface.
I think I'll have to do this with out gluing, disassemble, plate and then re-assemble with adhesive.

Food for thought

Cheers
Andy
 
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