Restricted Substances Lists
AQC creates and makes available Restricted Substances Lists (RSLs) relevant to watch bracelets.
These RSLs are based on:
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Substances with high risk to consumers' health and the environment.
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Regulated substances potentially present in leather (risk-based approach).
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Substances subject to ongoing regulatory projects (proactive approach).
AQC is particularly interested in the requirements described in the European REACH, POP, and Biocides regulations, as well as in California's Proposition 65, and Chinese, Japanese, and Korean legislations.
The AQC Technical Working Group defines and regularly updates the lists of controlled substances. Quality controls are conducted by several laboratories referenced and audited by AQC, following selected and harmonised analytical methods.
Chemical substances are monitored across all raw materials used in the manufacture of leather bracelets.
To consult our Restricted Substances Lists, please
- AQC RSL for glues
- AQC RSL for leather
- AQC RSL for plastic & rubber
- AQC RSL for textiles & 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 by laboratories referenced by AQC.
To be referenced, the laboratory is audited and must comply with the AQC specification, which particularly covers:
- 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.
Being referenced by the AQC has no impact on impartiality, ownership, governance, management, staff, resources, finances, or laboratory contracts, and must not influence the commercial policy of the laboratory.
To find out which laboratories are referenced by AQC, please
AQC Recommendations for Storage of Leather Bracelets
Ideal storage conditions for leather bracelets:
- 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 the environment and to maintain scale pairing in the case of alligator leather.
AQC recommendations for leather bracelet storage apply to any type of leather bracelet except those with a glazed (casein) finish. The validation of storage conditions for this specific type of finish is still under study at AQC.
