In simple words, this means that from September 2003 all EU countries will be
required to prohibit the manufacture and sale of those defined consumer goods,
which on chemical analysis are found to contain the listed aromatic amines
originating from a small number of azo dyes. Articles coloured with all other azo dyes
will be able to be manufactured and sold without restriction. Since most coloured
textile and leather articles are treated with azo dyes and pigments, it is an important
basic point to realise that only very few azo dyes will be affected. It has been
estimated that less than 4 % of known azo dye structures would release the
corresponding amines. Additionally over the last years all reputable dye
manufacturers have stopped manufacturing such azo dyes and test institutes report
the vast majority of samples tested today do comply with the EU Directive.