You are here:

Health assessment of other consumer products

Säugling

Other consumer products such as furniture, mattresses, carpets and leisure articles can involve a health risk if substances are released from the product.

Consumer articles are defined by the legislator as articles with which consumers come into contact in their day to day lives. Consequently, the products must meet certain specifications which are based on the health protection of consumers. In the event of proper use they may not constitute any health risk.

What is the task of BfR?

BfR examines the health risk of ingredients in consumer products and, more particularly, the extent to which consumers come into contact with them. Some substances may cause skin irritations, eczemas or allergic reactions.

As a matter of principle, BfR advises consumers to avoid ill smelling consumer articles because of their possible health risk. Products with an unusual smell point to low quality and hence contradict good manufacturing practice.

The reviews focus on risks emerging from substances which can cause cancer or affect the human hormone system.

Emphasis is placed on the following substances:

  • Bisphenol A
  • Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
  • Nano silver
  • Organotin compounds
  • Volatile substances

Legal bases:

  • Food, consumer articles and feed code
  • Consumer Goods Ordinance
  • German equipment and product safety act

Up

Information

 (1)
Date Title Size
26.10.2009
BfR Information No. 037/2009
Bisphenol A in dummies 32.4 KB
PDF-File

Up

Opinion

 (17)
Date Title Size
07.10.2022
Updated BfR Opinion No. 023/2022
Health Risk Assessment of Nicotine Pouches 329.3 KB
PDF-File
20.09.2021
BfR Opinion no. 027/2021
Preliminary health risk assessment of nicotine pouches 468.5 KB
PDF-File
23.01.2020
BfR opinion No 005/2020
Cases of poisoning: Liquids containing cannabidiols for e-cigarettes can be manipulated 163.8 KB
PDF-File
11.11.2013
BfR opinion No. 004/2014
Lead, nickel and allergenic scents in candles to be restricted 47.5 KB
PDF-File
04.06.2012
BfR Opinion No. 010/2013
Proposals for the guideline on the assessment of chemical risks in the European rapid alert system RAPEX 24.7 KB
PDF-File
11.04.2012
Updated BfR Opinion No. 010/2012
Contact allergens in toys: Health assessment of nickel and fragrances 32.0 KB
PDF-File
24.02.2012
BfR Opinion No. 016/2012
Liquids from e-cigarettes can be detrimental to health 31.1 KB
PDF-File
29.07.2010
BfR Opinion Nr. 035/2010
Bisphenol A: Studies by Stump et al. (2010) and Ryan et al. (2010) provide no indications for adverse effects on neurological development and behaviour 281.7 KB
PDF-File
26.07.2010
BfR Opinion Nr. 032/2010
Carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in consumer products to be regulated by the EU - risk assessment by BfR in the context of a restriction proposal under REACH 375.8 KB
PDF-File
28.12.2009
BfR Opinion Nr. 024/2010
BfR recommends that nano-silver is not used in foods and everyday products 27.9 KB
PDF-File
21.12.2009
Updated BfR Opinion No 051/2009
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in toys 134.5 KB
PDF-File
18.08.2009
BfR Opinion No. 038/2009
Limit values for phenol in food-contact articles and toys are to be updated 79.7 KB
PDF-File
08.06.2009
Updated BfR Expert Opinion No. 025/2009
PAHs in consumer products must be reduced as much as possible 126.8 KB
PDF-File
01.06.2009
BfR Opinion No. 048/2009
Lead and cadmium do not belong in toys 112.8 KB
PDF-File
26.03.2004
BfR supplementary expert opinion
Assessment of nitrosamines in balloons 109.8 KB
PDF-File
31.01.2003
BfR Expert Opinion
Migration of toxicologically relevant substances from toys 132.3 KB
PDF-File
11.04.2002
Expert Opinion
Risk assessment of N-nitrosamines in balloons 163.6 KB
PDF-File

Up

FAQ

 (1)
Date Title Size
03.11.2016
BfR FAQ
Questions and answers on naphthalene in consumer products 32.8 KB
PDF-File

Up

Press releases

 (24)
Date Title Keywords
12.12.2022
45/2022
Gifts and fairy lights: Button cells can cause serious health damage to small children if swallowed intoxication / poisoning, product safety
19.04.2022
13/2022
E-Cigarettes in Test electronic cigarette , risk communication
16.02.2022
06/2022
No progress on reducing the maximum PAH levels for the GS certification mark inline with prevailing technical standards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
07.04.2020
09/2020
E-cigarettes: Majority of the population sees health risks electronic cigarette , risk communication
06.12.2019
51/2019
Study on e-cigarettes: In Germany so far no life-threatening poisoning by e-cigarette use ("vaping") cigarettes , electronic cigarette , product safety , risk communication
15.11.2019
43/2019
"Vaping": The BfR advises against self-mixing e-liquids cigarettes , electronic cigarette , product safety , risk communication , tobacco
17.10.2019
39/2019
"Vaping": The BfR advises against self-mixing e-liquids electronic cigarette , product safety , risk communication
09.08.2019
29/2019
PAH levels in consumer products should be as low as possible polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAK), product safety
23.11.2018
43/2018
Button cell batteries: Swallowing can lead to severe health damage in small children intoxication / poisoning
14.06.2017
23/2017
Barbecuing - summer fun for outdoors only carbon monoxide , grill / barbecue , intoxication / poisoning
05.10.2016
41/2016
Adhesive flaps on paper tissue packagings can lead to choking accidents with small children product safety
28.01.2014
04/2014
BfR recommendation leads to the Europe-wide restriction of carcinogenic PAHs in consumer products polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) , product safety
01.10.2013
27/2013
Grilling with charcoal is definitely not an indoor pursuit! carbon monoxide , grill / barbecue
27.02.2012
08/2012
Nanosilver: progress in the sphere of analysis, gaps in toxicology and exposure nanomaterials
23.06.2011
19/2011
Charcoal grills should not be used indoors
12.04.2011
10/2011
Safety of nano silver in consumer products: many questions remain open nanomaterials
10.06.2010
08/2010
Nanosilver has no place in food, textiles or cosmetics
21.10.2009
25/2009
Glow sticks are not for small children
17.07.2009
18/2009
Indoor grilling with charcoal is very dangerous!
23.04.2009
05/2009
Water pipes: Each puff carries a risk
29.12.2008
29/2008
New EU Toys Directive doesn’t sufficiently protect children’s health
10.03.2008
05/2008
Consumer products - Safety despite diversity
11.05.2005
14/2005
Water pipes: Not a harmless alternative to cigarettes cigarettes
19.04.2005
11/2005
Bouncing playdough contains high levels of boric acid

Up

Cookie Notice

This site only uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Find out more on how we use cookies in our Data Protection Declaration.