Azo dyes

Azo dyes are the most important colouring agents for dyeing clothing textiles. Approximately 2/3 of the textile dyes currently in use belong to the azo dye substance class. Under reductive conditions, azo dyes can break down into carcinogenic aromatic amines. The aromatic amines that occur when separating azo dyestuffs and azo pigments are generally far more able to penetrate the skin than the dyes themselves. Therefore, the possibility of such separation on human skin is a very important part of the health assessment for dyestuffs of this type.

The test is to take place for all dyed textiles, i.e. for cellulosic, animal-based or synthetic materials but also for prints, leather and dyes.

The test standards DIN EN 14362-1 and -3 describe the execution of the method to determine specific aromatic amines from azo dyes, with and without extraction of fibres.

The chemical-reductive cleavage is performed in accordance with the method § 64 LFGB 82.02. The laboratory is to be provided with a minimum quantity of 1g of dye.

The test is a legal parameter and forms part of the standard inspections within the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. The test takes place for 24 defined aromatic amines.