The European regulation 94/27/CE dated June 30th, 1994 compulsory requires that for items in direct contact with the skin, the amount of nickel release shall be lower or equal to 0.5 mg/cm2 week ( micrograms per square centimeter and per week). Switzerland adopted this regulation , see

The European regulation 2004/96/CE dated September 27th, 2004 further reduced the prior release rate for all assemblies introduced in parts of the human body , such as piercings, ear rings, ect.. down to 0.2 mg /cm2week.

SN EN 1811+A1 : 2008 standard describes a reference test method to measure the nickel release rate of products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin. The threshold value is set at 0.5mg /cm2week.

SN EN 12472 : 2006 standard defines a wear and corrosion test to undertake before the determination of the nickel release rate on coated items according SN EN 1811. This test simulates about 2 years of normal wear of the item. By the way, many jewels are guaranted free from any risk of nickel allergy for a period of 2 years after the purchase, without taking the possible coating wear into account.

CEN CR 12471 : 2002 test method describes a quick screening test for a qualitative evaluation of the nickel release rate by friction of a Q-tips impregnated with a specific liquid revelator.

European regulations are free to public. Standards described above are adopted by EC members and non members. They are available at any standard store.

Last but not least, a recent letter from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health(FOPH) indicates that the conformance to Swiss law requires to positively pass both qualitative and quantitative standards described above (including the wear and corrosion test if applicable).