Does the Directive apply to Belts?
It is the suppliers responsibility to decide whether any metal pieces on the belt will come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin. For example belts designed to be worn through belt loops over the top of clothing are unlikely to come into contact with the skin unless there is a large and/or ornate buckle, and the target market for the belt is men with large beer belly’s or pregnant women and thus may not need to comply. Belts with rivets that are designed to be worn at an angle over the skin and clothing obviously would have to comply. A belt that is designed not to come into contact with the skin but is, however, normally worn in such manner that the metal pieces on the belt will come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin, may need to comply. However, there may be an element of consumer abuse available as a defence but this cannot be relied upon as an absolute defence.
