White paper
Skin-Compatible Adhesives for Medical Wearables and Consumer Wearables
Ensure safe, long-term skin contact with adhesives designed for wearable applications
The wearable market is growing rapidly — and so are the demands on the materials used. Longer wearing times, more compact designs, and increasing skin contact raise the risk of unwanted skin reactions. The most critical risk is skin sensitization: an irreversible, immunological reaction that develops gradually through repeated exposure and can be triggered by even trace amounts of a substance. For product developers, selecting the right adhesive is therefore a decisive factor — both for regulatory compliance and for user safety.
DELO offers a proven portfolio of skin-compatible adhesives for both medical and consumer wearable applications. With a specialized Chemical Compliance Department, ISO 10993-qualified formulations, and access to animal-free in vitro testing methods, DELO supports manufacturers in navigating complex regulatory requirements — and in bringing safe, compliant products to market.
What can you expect in this white paper?
- Immunological mechanisms of skin sensitization explained — from induction phase to allergic contact dermatitis
- Migration pathways of adhesive components (outgassing and extraction) and their relevance for skin-contact applications
- Regulatory frameworks — CLP hazard classifications (H315, H317) and ISO 10993 standards for biocompatibility testing
- Material strategies and process optimization to minimize sensitization risk in wearable manufacturing
- Overview of DELO’s adhesive portfolio for medical wearables (Medical Grade) and consumer wearables (TWS/audio)
Why adhesive solutions from DELO?
- Decades of materials expertise combined with a specialized Chemical Compliance Department for toxicological and regulatory assessments
- ISO 10993-qualified adhesives — tested for cytotoxicity, skin sensitization, and irritation potential
- Animal-free in vitro testing methods — including KeratinoSens (OECD 442D), h-CLAT (OECD 442E), and GARDskin assay
- Comprehensive portfolio covering both regulated medical applications and consumer wearables — including IBOA-free, solvent-free, and RoHS-compliant formulations
Your advantages at a glance
- Regulatory confidence: ISO 10993-qualified formulations with comprehensive test data for compliant product development
- Minimized sensitization risk: IBOA-free and H317-free formulations that consistently exclude known skin sensitizers
- Flexible compliance support: Expert guidance on customer-specific RSLs, prohibited substance lists, and applicable chemical regulations
- Future-proof material strategy: Proactive monitoring of evolving regulatory requirements under EU MDR and CLP
- Single-source partnership: From initial consultation through formulation development to process application — all from one expert partner
Let us inspire you!
Discover how DELO’s skin-compatible adhesive technology helps you master the growing demands of wearable manufacturing — with proven biocompatibility, regulatory compliance, and reliable bonding performance under real-world conditions. Whether you develop medical-grade devices or consumer wearables, DELO provides the expertise and portfolio to keep your products safe — and your users protected.
Download the white paper now and learn more!
About DELO
DELO is a leading provider of high-tech adhesives and has been offering solutions for the semiconductor, automotive, and electronics industries for over 25 years. Our innovative technologies set industry standards. Companies such as Bosch, Huawei, and Siemens trust DELO when it comes to superior adhesive technologies.
Industry Leaders Trust DELO
