EU Commission Wants to Ban 286 Substances from Textiles

The EU would like to ban carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) substances in textiles in the future. Members of the EU Commission, the ECHA, and various national agencies have drafted a list of 286 substances, including phthalates, flame retardants, and pigments. The substances are to be banned from textiles in a fast-track process (German only) spread over two phases. In the first phase, the substances will be banned in textiles that come into direct contact with the skin, such as clothing, shoes, and bedding, and listed in Annex XVII of REACH. In the second phase, the prohibition will apply to flooring, carpeting, upholstery, clothing accessories, and leather articles.

A fast-track process is permitted for CMR substances of Categories 1A und 1B (German only) when the manufacturing process or the use of the substance presents an unacceptable risk to health. Article 68(2) of the REACH Regulation supports this kind of shortened procedure. According to this approach, no requirements exist to create a substance dossier, consult with the public, or obtain position papers from ECHA committees like RAC and SEAC.

Moreover, the accelerated process gives importers, manufactures, and distributors less time to adjust to the new legal situation. We are ready to advise you about what you need to note and what measures you need to take in regard to a prohibited substance. Contact us at reach@kft.de.