Chemical rules for leather furniture: chromium VI, DMFu and azo dyes
Leather sofas and chairs sold in the EU must meet three REACH restrictions: less than 3 mg/kg of chromium VI in leather that touches the skin, no dimethylfumarate above 0.1 mg/kg, and limits on azo dyes that release listed amines. The obligation sits with whoever places the furniture on the market, so the evidence has to come from the tannery and the factory in India.
Three REACH restrictions that apply to leather
| Substance | REACH entry | Limit | Applies to | Test method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium VI | Annex XVII, entry 47 | Less than 3 mg/kg of the total dry weight of the leather | Leather articles, and leather parts of articles, that come into contact with the skin | EN ISO 17075 |
| Dimethylfumarate (DMFu) | Annex XVII, entry 61 | Not above 0.1 mg/kg | Any article or part of an article | Ask the laboratory |
| Azo dyes releasing listed amines | Annex XVII, entry 43 | Not above 30 mg/kg for each listed amine | Textile and leather articles in direct and prolonged contact with the skin | EN ISO 17234-1 (leather) |
How these substances get into furniture
- Chromium VI: most leather is chrome-tanned. The tanning chemical is chromium III, which is permitted, but poor tanning and finishing can let some of it oxidise into chromium VI.
- Dimethylfumarate: a mould inhibitor that was packed into furniture and boxes in sachets to protect leather on humid sea routes.
- Azo dyes: some dyes used to colour leather break down into amines that the restriction lists.
What to ask for, and what an inspection can check
Ask the factory for
- Test reports from an accredited laboratory for chromium VI and azo dyes, for the leather lot used in your order.
- The name of the tannery, so the report can be traced to it.
- A written statement that no dimethylfumarate or mould-inhibitor sachets are used.
An inspection checks
- That the test reports match the leather actually used, not an old or different lot.
- That no mould-inhibitor sachets are packed with the furniture.
- The leather grade, colour and labels, as in the leather sofa and chair guide.
An inspection does not test chemicals; an accredited laboratory does.
Other rules for the same furniture: UK fire safety for upholstered pieces, formaldehyde for plywood and MDF frames, and the EN seating standards. All rules by market: import compliance.
Leather chemical rules: questions
What is the EU limit for chromium VI in leather furniture?
Leather that comes into contact with the skin must contain less than 3 mg/kg of chromium VI, measured against the total dry weight of the leather, under REACH Annex XVII entry 47. It has applied since 1 May 2015, and EN ISO 17075 is the reference test method.
Why is dimethylfumarate banned?
It was used as a mould inhibitor, often in small sachets fixed inside furniture, and caused skin injuries to consumers in several EU countries. REACH entry 61 now bans it above 0.1 mg/kg in any article.
Do the azo dye limits apply to sofas?
The restriction covers textile and leather articles in direct and prolonged contact with the skin. Furniture is not named in its list of examples, so confirm with your compliance team whether your seating is in scope, and ask for a test report either way.
Do these rules apply in the UK?
Great Britain kept the chromium VI and dimethylfumarate restrictions when it left the EU, under UK REACH. Check the current UK text with your compliance team, as the two regimes can diverge.
Can an inspection in India test leather for chromium VI?
No. Chemical testing is a laboratory's work. An inspection traces the test report to the leather lot actually used in your order, checks that no mould-inhibitor sachets are packed in, and checks the labels.
Sources: Regulation (EU) No 301/2014 (chromium VI) and Regulation (EU) No 412/2012 (dimethylfumarate), amending REACH Annex XVII; REACH Annex XVII entry 43 (azo colourants). Checked 12 October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
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