UK Recommends Use of SEM or TEM for Detecting Asbestos in Consumer Products Containing Sand
| Targeted audience | UK manufacturers, UK importers and their upstream providers |
| Products concerned | Toys, hobby and sports equipment, decorative products |
| Key industries concerned with this insight | Toys, hobby and sports equipment, decoration |
| Application date | 2 March 2026 |
| Main content or requirements | On 2 March 2026, the UK recommended Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to be used for detecting asbestos in consumer products containing sand, instead of Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) |
| Reference | Link 1 Link 2 Link 3 |
On 2 March 2026, the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published the recommended testing techniques for asbestos in consumer products containing sand, such as toys, hobby and decorative products.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were recommended as the techniques for detecting asbestos in consumer products containing sand since they can more reliably identify low asbestos concentrations, below 1000 mg/kg (0.1%), and fine or thin asbestos fibres likely to be present in contaminated products, where Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) is generally unreliable.
Since February 2026, the UK OPSS has published recall cases for many consumer products containing asbestos:
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In the UK, according to the UK REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII Entry 6, the manufacture, placing on the UK market and use of asbestos fibres and of articles and mixtures containing asbestos fibres added intentionally are prohibited. According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, it is illegal to supply any article containing asbestos.
Intertek China Hardlines Labs will continue to monitor the progress of the UK recalls on asbestos, to provide you with testing services (including advanced SEM and TEM testing services tailored for sand-containing consumer goods) and technical support in compliance with the UK regulations.
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