Restricted Substances List by AQC

The AQC creates and publishes Restricted Substances Lists (RSL) relevant to the watch bracelet.

These RSLs are based on :

• Substances with a high risk for consumer's health and for the environment.
• Regulated substances potentially present in leathers (risk approach).
• Substances for which regulation projects are ongoing (proactive approach).

AQC is particularly interested in the requirements described in the European REACH, POP and Biocides regulations, but also in Proposition 65 (California), as well as in the Chinese, Japanese and Korean legislation.

AQC Technical Working Group defines and regularly updates the lists of controlled substances. Quality controls are carried out by several laboratories referenced and audited by the AQC according to selected and harmonized analytical methods.

The chemical substances are controlled on all the raw materials used.

We invite you to consult our Restricted Substances List :

• AQC RSL for glues

• AQC RSL for leather

• AQC RSL for insides (plastic and rubber)

• AQC RSL for textiles and threads

• AQC RSL for edge tinctures

• AQC RSL for leather bracelets
  
  
• AQC RSL for metallic parts

AQC Referenced Laboratories

The tests on the chemical substances are carried out with AQC referenced laboratories.

To be referenced, the laboratory is audited and must respect the AQC specification that covers in particular :

• Quality documentation
• Training   
• Reagent expiration dates
• Sample and data archiving
• Equipment
• Standardisation
• Validation
• Internal quality control
• External quality controls

In addition, the laboratory agrees to participate in AQC meetings and inter-laboratory studies.

The AQC referenced laboratories are accredited control laboratories according to ISO / IEC 17025.

The referencing by AQC has no impact on impartiality, ownership, governance, management, staff, resources, finance, laboratory contracts and may not influence the commercial policy of the laboratory.

AQC referenced laboratories : 

AQC Recommendations for Storage of Leather Bracelets

Ideal storage conditions for leather bracelet :

• Leather bracelets should always be stored in clean and ventilated storage rooms at a stable temperature between 20 - 25 °C and a relative humidity between 55 and 65%.
• Direct exposure to sunlight or strong artificial light should be avoided.
• Bracelets should be kept in their original packaging to protect them from environment and keep scale pairing in the case of alligator leather.

AQC recommendations for leather bracelet storage are applicable to any type of leather bracelet excepted glazed (casein) finish. Validation of storage for this specific type of finish is still studied at AQC.