Azo dyes are one of the most important commercial dyes in world trade. Some azo dyes are prohibited for use because they can be degraded under reductive conditions by releasing certain aromatic amine groups (depending on the azo compound that makes up these dyes). These aromatic amines enter the body through skin absorption and cause some negative effects for humans such as carcinogenic.. Therefore, its use is regulated by the government for the safety of consumers as per Directive 2002/61/EC

Two popular standard methods are available for the determination of 22 aromatic amines (21 of which are carcinogenic) are EN 14362-1 and EN 14362-3

A maximum limit was set for these azo dyes substance or groups are 30 mg/kg in the finished articles or in the dyed parts thereof.

How SIG can help

The SIG laboratory performs analysis of azo compounds on textile matrices and textile toys.

We offer analytical methods using the standard methods EN ISO 14362-1 and EN ISO 14362-2 which define to analyze certain aromatic amines derived from azo dyes.

The types of azo dyes that can be tested in the SIG laboratory are:

• 4.5-triamethylaniline (CAS No. 137-17-7)
• 4-dimethylaniline (CAS No. 95-68-1)
• 6-dimethylaniline (CAS No. 87-62-7)
• 2-Naphthylamine (CAS No. 91-59-8)
• 3-Dichlorobenzidine (CAS No. 91-94-1)
• 3′-Dimethoxybenzidine (CAS No. 119-90-4)
• 3-Dimethylbenzidine (CAS NO. 119-93-7)
• 4′-Methylene-bis-(2-chloro-aniline) (CAS No. 101-14-4)
• 4′-Methylenedianiline (CAS NO. 101-77-9)
• 4′-Methylenedi-o-toluidine (CAS No. 838-88-0)
• 4-4′-Oxydianiline (CAS No. 101-80-4)
• 4-4′-Thiodoaniline (CAS No.95-80-7)
• 4-Aminoazobenzene (CAS No. 60-09-3)
• 4-Chloroaniline (CAS No. 106-47-8)
• 4-Chloro-O-Toluidine (CAS No. 95-69-2)
• 4-Methoxy-M-Phenylenediamine (CAS No. 615-05-4)
• 4-Methyl-M-Phenylenediamine (CAS No. 95-80-7)
• 5-Nitro-O-toluidine (CAS No. 99-55-8)
• 6-Methoxy-m-toluidine (CAS No. 120-71-8)
• Benzidine (CAS No. 92-87-7)
• Biphenyl-4-Ylamine (CAS No. 92-67-1)
• O-Aminoazotoluene (CAS No. 97-56-3)
• O-Anisidine(CAS No. 90-04-0)
• O-Toluidine (CAS No.95-53-4)

Method of Analysis

We used our GC-MS method to measure the levels of azo compounds extracted from the fabric samples/specimens. If the test produce positive result exceeds the specified limit (5-100 mg/kg), it is necessary to carry out additional testing using other chromatographic techniques, eg. HPLC-UV / Vis, as recommended in the standard method.