EU Textile Industry Faces Stricter Regulations on Chemical Usage Across the Entire Supply Chain

By the first half of the year, the European Union's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, which focuses on the management of hazardous chemicals, has undergone two updates, potentially impacting textile exports to the EU market in the second half of the year.

New Direction in EU Chemical Management: Textile Exports Need Attention

Tighter Regulations for Enhanced Safety

The EU Sustainable and Circular Textiles Strategy requires manufacturers to ensure that textile products placed on the EU market do not contain harmful chemicals by 2030. If any of the chemicals used fall under the scope of the REACH regulation, textile producers and importers need to notify the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for registration, licensing, or use as restricted substances within six months from the date of inclusion in the list.

■ January - High attention to the addition of nine new chemicals

On January 17, 2023, ECHA added nine chemicals, including Tetrabromobisphenol A, Bisphenol S, Barium perborate, and Melamine, which are classified as reproductive toxicants or carcinogens, to the list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). If these substances are included in the REACH Authorization List in the future, companies can continue to use them only with the authorization from the European Commission.

■ April - eight chemicals may be added to the REACH Authorization List

On April 12, 2023, ECHA proposed to add eight substances, including lead, ethylenediamine, glutaraldehyde, and sodium tetraborate, to the REACH Authorization List. This move may drive industries to seek safer alternatives. If the proposal is approved, companies will need authorization from the European Commission to continue using these substances.

■ June - Two chemicals added to the SVHC candidate list

On June 14, 2023, ECHA announced the inclusion of two substances, 4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl sulfone and Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, into the 29th batch of SVHC candidate list. Currently, the SVHC candidate list comprises a total of 235 substances.

In addition, if a product contains a concentration of more than 0.1% (by weight) of substances from the candidate list, whether supplied individually or as part of a mixture, the supplier must provide safety data information to customers and consumers.

How to cope with the export textile and apparel industry

More cooperation leads to more sales opportunities

In the above-mentioned policy adjustments, various types of chemicals are widely used in the production and manufacturing of the textile industry. For example, chemicals such as Bisphenol S, which can be applied in textile printing and dyeing processes, Melamine used in fabric coatings, and Tetrabromobisphenol A used in textile flame retardants.

To ensure that textile products or components meet export standards and successfully enter the EU market, companies need to understand the composition of the chemicals they use and determine whether their final products contain highly concerning chemicals and the proportion of these substances in each product. For this purpose, textile companies can start controlling the use of chemicals at the input stage, which can reduce the burden on the entire supply chain.

If there are restricted substances that cannot be used, companies should look for alternative substances that comply with the restrictions. If highly concerning substances are present, companies should inquire with upstream dye and chemical manufacturers about their authorization status in the EU and prioritize using dye and chemical products that are applying for authorization to simplify the approval process.

International Eco-Chemical Certification

——Keeping Pace with EU Market Regulations

OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT is a certification for chemicals, dyes, and auxiliaries used in the production process of textiles, providing reliable compliance solutions for textile chemical manufacturers. In response to the tightening regulations on chemical usage, ECO PASSPORT eco-chemical certification is based on and ahead of various chemical regulations and standards, including those of the European Union market. It complies with ZDHC MRSL, REACH SVHC, GoBlu/BHive requirements, and is updated annually based on the latest regulations.

In line with the updates to the EU REACH regulation SVHC candidate list, OEKO-TEX® promptly responded by issuing the second edition update for 2023, which includes five new substances in the ECO PASSPORT certification：

● Melamine，CAS：108-78-1

● Barium metaborate，CAS：13701-59-2

● Disperse orange 3，CAS：80-09-1

● 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane，CAS：37853-59-1

● Tetrabromophthalic anhydride bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (including any individual isomers and/or mixtures)，CAS：多种

Moreover, Tetrabromobisphenol A and perfluorooctanoic acid and its salts, which are already on the 28th batch of SVHC list, have been included in the testing standards of OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certification. This certification serves as a reliable endorsement for safe and sustainable chemicals, assisting textile enterprises in promptly meeting the latest requirements of EU regulations.