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Earring Allergy, Care & Hygiene Policy

Everything You Need to Know About Keeping You and Your Earrings Clean, Safe and Hygienic

What Goes Into Our Earrings:

Our earrings are made with materials commonly associated with reduced allergen risk, such as:

- Cellulose Acetate (a plant-based, non-petroleum bioplastic). - Stainless Steel Components (known for their durability and low-allergen potential). - Plated Stainless Steel Components (All the great properties of our Stainless Steel Components, with the addition of a plating process to add colour tones). All grades of stainless steel contain nickel, and our components are no exception. The key factor in jewellery safety isn’t whether nickel is present, but how much is released onto the skin during normal, everyday wear - including when exposed to natural skin secretions such as sweat. See below for how we test and verify that our earrings meet recognised safety standards for skin contact and nickel release. We also conduct additional testing for 15 other metal allergens, going above and beyond legal requirements to support wearer safety and product assurance.

Allergy Testing & Safety:

Testing is conducted on representative samples of our components and materials by UKAS-accredited laboratories. Results are held on file and available for regulatory review. The testing performed is as follows:

- REACH Compliant - Nickel, Lead & Cadmium. - AnchorCert Protect is an additional test we strongly believe in. It’s carried out by an independent, UKAS-accredited laboratory that evaluates how materials behave during wear. This method simulates real-world use and measures how much nickel and 15 other metal allergens are released onto the skin - not just whether they’re present. Products that pass are classified as skin-friendly and are less likely to trigger allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). While no material can guarantee a reaction-free experience for every wearer, we select and test our materials specifically to reduce this risk and support hypoallergenic claims. - Prop 65 Compliant - Lead & Cadmium.

Please note:
Our earrings are tested and evaluated for wearers aged 15 and over. They have not been assessed under the stricter safety standards required for children’s jewellery. For this reason, our products are not suitable for children under 15.

Standards Conformity:

- Nickel Release: EN 1811:2023 (REACH Annex XVII Entry 27) - Lead & Cadmium Content: REACH Annex XVII Entries 63 & 23 - Prop 65 - Lead & Cadmium: California Metal-Containing Jewellery Law (adults & children) - GPSD Compliance: General Product Safety Regulation 2005 (UK)

Keeping You & Your Earrings Clean:

To Keep your earrings hygienic, fresh, and long-lasting we recommend:

- Cleaning your earrings before each wear if they have been stored for extended periods, and regularly during normal use. - Gently hand wash with warm water & mild soap. - Dry thoroughly with a clean towel and/or non-abrasive cloth. - Abstain from cleaning with fragranced/alcohol/cleansing wipes or harsh cleaners. Remove earrings before, but not limited to any of the following: - Showering, Bathing or Swimming. - Sleeping or Exercising. - Applying Sprays, Make-up, Hair Treatments, or Lotions. - Any activity that may introduce contamination to the skin or include risk of injury to the wearer.

Storage, Hygiene, Use & Handling:

All our earrings are prepared in an environment under strict hygiene practices. For safety:

- Always handle with clean, dry hands. - Don’t share earrings with others. - When not in use, store in a clean, dry container away from sources of contamination or degradation. - Our earrings contain small components that may pose a choking hazard. Always store them safely and out of reach of children under 15. - Amber & Orange cannot assess or guarantee the hygiene, healing status, or suitability of individual piercings. Earrings should only be worn in healthy, fully healed piercings and never inserted into broken, scarred or irritated skin. - If you experience discomfort during prolonged wear, remove the earrings and allow the area to recover before wearing again.

Please note:
We no longer apply hygiene seals on our boxes - We do still operate to the same high standards for quality and cleanliness. All items are quality checked before dispatch/sale.

Allergic Reactions:

While rare, if you experience a reaction please:

- Remove the earrings immediately. - Seek medical advice if needed. - Let us know! We may request the earrings back for testing and we genuinely appreciate any information that helps us improve product safety for others. We’re proud to have many customers who previously struggled with metal sensitivities - especially to nickel - but have been able to wear our earrings comfortably. That said, sensitivities vary from person to person, and no material is entirely risk-free. While many wearers report positive experiences, your individual response may differ. If you know you have sensitivities to specific metals or materials, it’s important to proceed with care. Just know that you still have options. For warranty, returns or refunds, please see our Returns & Warranty Policies. If you’ve had a reaction, contact us! We’re happy to help and would be grateful to know as much as possible.

Traceability:

Each pair of earrings sold is part of a batch tracking system as part of our internal quality control process. This helps us investigate any issues promptly, should they arise. This system also allows us to update our records when analytical testing is undertaken to ensure that materials and production batches continue to meet the safety thresholds outline above. We also have the ability to track which earring sold relates to specific test batches.

Legal Disclaimer:

This information and policy page provides guidance on our earring materials and safety practices. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For concerns related to skin sensitivity or metal allergies, please consult your GP or healthcare provider. Amber & Orange cannot accept responsibility for issues arising from improper use, handling, care, or failure to follow guidance provided. Our responsibility is limited to ensuring our earrings are safe for use at the point of sale, in accordance with applicable UK legislation. This disclaimer also applies to stockists and authorised sellers of Amber & Orange products, who may direct customers to this page for accurate material and safety guidance. This product complies with UK and EU safety requirements for jewellery but has not been tested for use by children under 15. Our earrings are jewellery items, not cosmetic or therapeutic devices. Nothing in this policy affects your statutory rights. If a defect arises due to a manufacturing fault or an issue not identified during quality control, we will act in line with applicable consumer protection legislation, which may include repair, replacement, or refund. For customers outside the UK, we will seek to resolve issues in line with the consumer protection laws in your jurisdiction. Where UK statutory rights would provide greater benefit and no legal conflict arises, we may choose to apply them as a goodwill measure. This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains accurate and compliant with current legislation. If an oversight or change in legal requirements is identified, Amber & Orange will amend our practices and this policy to maintain compliance and uphold statutory customer rights.

To contact us with any questions or concerns, please email us at info@amberandorange.co.uk or via our contact form.

Earring Allergy, Care & Hygiene Policy: Version 1
This policy was first published on 23rd August 2025 at 14:00 (BST).

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