Allergic reactions are a significant and increasing health problem. Several contact allergens that cause dermatitis, and some respiratory allergens that cause asthma and rhinitis, are chemical substances present in materials and products. The EU and national authorities try to prevent some of the problem by regulations concerning limitations in use and by labelling, such as the Nickel Directive, Cosmetics Directive, Directives on classification of dangerous substances, and on dangerous preparation, and limitation of chromium in cement (Lidén C, Contact Dermatitis 2001;44:65-69).

For many of these regulations, analytical methods are lacking for control of compliance with the legislation. Common European analytical methods in the form of European standards would represent a considerable improvement and increase possibilities for prevention of allergy. Such standards would prove useful in supporting existing and future European legislation. They would be useful also in tendering procedures.

A new European standardisation project (CEN BT/WG 132 "Methods for analysis of allergens") started in December 2001 and is convened by Sweden (convenor: C Lidén).

Aim
The aim of CEN BT/WG 132 is to examine the need to develop standards for analytical methods, applicable to known allergens in materials and products in both occupational and private life.

CEN BT/WG 132 shall examine the need to create a CEN/TC for executing possible future standardisation, prepare a work programme, set priorities, and identify needs for further research and development.

Current work programme
CEN BT/WG 132 participants are nominated experts from 8 European countries representing authorities, industry and science. Liaison partners represent the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD), European Federation of Asthma and Allergy Assoc. (EFA) and European Flavour and Fragrance Assoc. (EFFA). The European Commission has been approached also.

The work is focused on a selection of the most important allergens, mainly skin sensitisers. The following aspects are covered for each substance:

- Prevalence of allergy and major causes;
- Current and planned regulations;
- Available analytical methods, and their clinical relevance;
- Possibility for standardisation;
- Possibility for prevention by regulation.

Four project groups carry out the work and a nominated expert heads each project group:

PG1 - Metals: nickel, chromium in cement, chromium in leather, and cobalt (R Hooper);
PG2 - Plastics and rubber chemicals: isocyanates, acrylates, epoxy, PTBFR, carbamates, thiurams, and MBT (M Bruze);
PG3 - Preservatives etc: BIT, MCI/MI, formaldehyde, formaldehyde donors, MDBGN, formaldehyde in textiles and leather, and dyes (B Gruvberger);
PG4 - Perfumes and colophony: the most important fragrance allergens proposed for limitation by the Cosmetics Directive, and unmodified colophony (A-T Karlberg).

CEN BT/WG 132 shall avoid duplication of work, and is not engaged in the following:

- allergens in foods, medicaments or medicinal products;
- identification of new allergens;
- testing of sensitising potential of allergens.

Summary
CEN BT/WG 132 "Methods for analysis of allergens" is a new European standardisation project. Areas are identified, where future development of standardised analytical methods for specific allergens could support existing or planned European legislation aiming at prevention of allergy.