Softlines & Leather | Monthly bulletin | October 2019
Regulatory news - Commercial news
Europe
Proposal for the restriction of skin sensitizing substances in textile, leather, fur and hide
As already announced in our Eurofins News Flash June 2019 edition, on 24th April 2019, ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) published a restriction proposal for skin sensitisers in textiles and leather articles.
Update of AfPS PAH Guide
Recently, the German Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) published the new Updated AfPS Guide (AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK) for testing and evaluation of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic hydrocarbons) under GS Mark.
The main changes compared to the current still valid AfPS GS 2014:01PAK, are the following:
- The scope of categories 1, 2a and 3a has been extended to "use by children"
- The list of PAHs has been shortened from 18 to 15 PAHs. Acenaphthylene (CAS No. 208-96-8). Acenaphthene (CAS No. 83-32-9), and fluorene (CAS No. 86-73-7) have been removed from the substance list
- The term "Gefährdungsbeurteilung (risk / hazard assessment)" has been replaced by the term" Risikobeurteilung (risk assessment)"
When the GS mark is awarded, this new version must be applied from 1 July 2020 (including current procedures completed after 1 July 2020).
Existing GS mark certificates remain valid.
Standards Updates
Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:
|
Reference |
Title |
|
Standard Specification for Dielectric Footwear |
|
|
Standard Test Method for Thickness of Textile Materials |
|
|
Standard Test Method for Colorfastness and Transfer of Color in the Washing of Leather |
US | New Hampshire
Flame retardants ban in furniture and carpeting
On 3rd September 2019, New Hampshire Governor signed Bill SB193 into law which bans sale or import of upholstered furniture containing more than 0.1% of flame retardants or their mixtures.
China
Standards updates list 2019
Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China (MIIT) published the announcement No.10 of 2019 and announcement No. 29 of 2019 on the approval of national standards and national standard amendments.
Improvement proposal in the registration of products under INMETRO
On 2nd September 2019, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology – INMETRO notified to World Trade Organization (WTO) their proposal Ordinance 404, 28 August 2019.
It proposes improvements in the criteria and procedures for the registration of products, inputs and services under INMETRO's regulatory scope and which compliance is compulsorily assessed. It would revoke INMETRO Ordinance 512, 11 November 2016.
Click here for getting the notification through the European Commission website with reference G/TBT/N/BRA/907.
Standards Updates
Below a summary table with some recent standards updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):
(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.
|
CENELEC / CEN |
|||
|
Reference |
Title |
Date of Withdrawal (*) |
Supersedes |
|
Footwear - Test methods for upper components and insocks - Colour fastness to rubbing and bleeding (ISO 17700:2019) |
2020-03-31 |
||
Upcoming dates of application
As a reminder, following you will a summary of the standards and legislation that will start applying within the next six months:
- Standards:
- 31st August 2019 was the date of withdrawal of the European standard:
EN ISO 17226-1:2019: Leather - Chemical determination of formaldehyde content - Part 1: Method using high performance liquid chromatography (ISO 17226-1:2008).
This new version will replace EN ISO 17226-1:2008.
- 31st August 2019 was the date of withdrawal of the European standard:
EN ISO 17226-2:2019: Leather - Chemical determination of formaldehyde content - Part 2: Method using colorimetric analysis (ISO 17226-2:2008).
This new version will replace EN ISO 17226-2:2008.
Note: Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.
- On 1st January 2020, the Chinese standard GB/T 18886-2002 : Textiles--Tests for colour fastness--Colour fastness to saliva will be superseded by the new version GB/T 18886-2019
- Legislations:
Manufacturers and importers should carefully consider these coming dates of application and confirm that their products comply with these restrictions:
- US: California - AB-2998 Consumer products: flame retardant materials- Juvenile Products, Upholstered Furniture, and Mattresses
Brief description:
From January 1, 2020, it is prohibited to sell or distribute in California any new juvenile products, mattresses, or upholstered furniture containing covered flame retardant chemicals or a constituent component at levels above 1,000 parts per million.
On or after January 1, 2020, a custom upholsterer shall not repair, reupholster, recover, restore, or renew upholstered furniture or reupholstered furniture using replacement components that contain covered flame retardant chemicals at levels above 1,000 parts per million.
It will start applying on 1st January 2020.
- US: New Jersey - AB 4416 Bill (P.L. 2019, c.114) to prohibit the sale or distribution of asbestos-containing products.
Brief description:
No person shall sell, offer for sale, or distribute in the State any product that contains asbestos.
As used in this section: "asbestos" means the same as the term is defined in section 3 of P.L.1984, c.173 (C.34:5A-34).
It will start applying on 1st September 2019.
- Canada: Manitoba - Bedding and Other Upholstered or Stuffed Articles regulation - C.S.M. c. P210 - Law Label.
Brief description:
Manitoba is repealing the Bedding and Other Upholstered or Stuffed Articles Regulation (“the Regulation”), effective January 1, 2020.
As of January 1, 2020, manufacturers, renovators, and home hobby/craft operators of bedding and other upholstered or stuffed articles will no longer be required to be registered in Manitoba and/or meet Manitoba’s label standards.
The Regulation remains in force until January 1, 2020 and the Consumer Protection Office will continue to administer the legislation.
It will start applying on 1st January 2020.
- Australian Consumer Goods (Children’s Nightwear and limited Daywear and Paper Patterns for Children’s Nightwear) Safety Standard 2017
Brief description:
The mandatory standard AS/NZS 1249:2014 applies to nightwear for children (sizes 00–14 unless stated otherwise) that includes the following items:
- Pyjamas (whether sold as top and bottom together or nightwear separates) Size 3 - 14 knitted nightwear all-in-ones
- Size 00 - 14 woven nightwear all-in-ones
- Predominantly knitted all-in-one garments in the size range size 00-2 made from fabrics that have a pile or nap, or include fabrics with a pile or nap
- Nightdresses and nighties
- Nightshirts
- Dressing gowns
- Bathrobes
- Boxer shorts of a loose style commonly used as nightwear
- Infant sleep bags with sleeves or arm openings
- Blankets & towels that incorporate a sleeve or arm opening
The mandatory standard also covers paper patterns for making children's nightwear. The mandatory standard prescribes requirements for safety testing and labelling of children's nightwear and paper patterns for making children's nightwear.
It will start applying on 1st January 2020.
Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “RAPEX”) and in the US (Source “CPSC”).
Europe
RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).
The following 12 alerts regarding textile & leather products have been reported, from week 34 until week 38 of 2019.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
|
Chemical |
1 |
Children's shirt: it contains azo-dyes releasing the aromatic amine Dichlorbenzidine |
|
1 |
Underwear: The product contains an excessive amount of nickel |
|
|
2 |
Shoes: They contain an excessive amount of chromium (VI) in the leather |
|
|
Choking |
1 |
Children's clothing set: Small parts can easily detach |
|
Injuries |
3 |
Children’s clothes: Long ribbons or cods in the chest or the waist. Not complying with EN 14682 |
|
Injuries, Strangulation |
2 |
The drawstrings in the upper chest area are too long. Not complying with EN 14682 |
|
Strangulation |
2 |
Children’s clothing – There are drawstrings with free ends in the hood. Not complying with EN 14682 |
From 21st August to 20th September 2019, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 2 recalls regarding textile & leather products.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
|
Burn Injuries |
2 |
Turkish robes fail to meet the flammability standards |
|
Children’s sleepwear fails to meet the flammability standards |
Compliance & Sustainability New York Conference, Nov 13 2019
Chromium(VI): Get the Latest Developments at the Leather, Compliance & Sustainability New York Conference, Nov 13 2019
Join the Leather, Compliance & Sustainability New York Conference on November 13, to hear the latest industry developments on chromium(VI) and how to manage the risk within leather products.
The persistence of chromium(VI) in leather goods continues to be problematic as highlighted by a rise in recent 60-day notices under the California Proposition 65 regulations in the US and continual presence in weekly RAPEX reports in the EU.
Speakers; Will Troutman, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright and Vikki Addy, Technical Director at Eurofins | BLC will present the latest industry developments on chromium(VI), the legal implications and how to manage risk – crucial information for manufacturers and retailers who have leather products in their range.
Register to attend the Leather, Compliance & Sustainability New York Conference to gain this important first-hand legal perspective.
Vietnam International Textile & Garment Industry Exhibition
Join Eurofins in this grand event for brands and manufacturers in the Textile & Garment Industry next 16th-17th November in Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
Eurofins will be present in Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (booth 1918 Hall A) during VTG Vietnam where more than 550 brands from 12 countries will join to the exhibitors. In this ocation, we will be present with our global services portfolio focused on textile and apparel machinery, fibers and fabrics industries, textile chemical and dyestuff, footwear manufacturing related produts, accesories and luggage machinery covering all the textile and footwear supply chain.
With an emerging market economy and continued strong growth, Vietnam is set to become one of the most dynamic markets in the world by 2030. The textile market is also be anticipated to have high growth in the future.
So it's time to find a global quality service provider with an operational laboratory in Vietnam.
Next FREE technical event
FREE Technical Event on the Challenges of Chemical Management in the Leather and Textile Industry, Amsterdam, Nov 22 2019
Learning how to better control the factories' practices in terms of chemical management and the elimination of hazardous substances from the supply chain is arguably one of the most critical challenges facing brands and retailers. This half day event organized by Eurofins | BLC and Eurofins | AQM will help you better understand how to tackle these issues.
Eurofins | AQM will provide an overview of the challenges factories are facing regarding the use of hazardous chemicals and the solutions for a proper chemical management system, whilst Eurofins | BLC will discuss how brands and retailers can implement robust chemical management systems and ultimately minimise their risk around hazardous chemistry.
Register to secure your place at this FREE technical event by emailing info@chem-map.com or training@aqm-hk.com. Further information is available on the Chem-MAP® website.
Solar UV Protection Properties of Textiles and Identification according to PSA Regulation
Life on Earth cannot be imagined without the sun. However, its life-giving rays can lead to damages on human skin in many ways including sunburn, premature aging, age spots and even skin cancer
Consumers are getting more and more concerned about the sun’s harmful rays. To the same degree producer of fabrics and garments are becoming aware of the chances of textile UV protection and they are actively promoting these protection properties. Sun-protective clothing became popular in Australia as an alternative to sunscreens due to the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. There, the standard AS/NZS 4399 was already introduced in 1996 in order to measure the effectiveness of fabrics and garments under standardized laboratory conditions.
Chem-MAP® chemical management systems for the entire supply chain
Discover How MRSL Testing can Help Reduce RSL Failures in Manufacturing and Support ZDHC Objectives
Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) testing is an essential component of chemical risk management, focusing upstream in the supply chain, beyond Restricted Substance Lists (RSL) testing. MRSL testing through Chem-MAP® can help to minimise RSL failures, providing a long-term financial benefit for your business and further reducing chemical risk to your customers, and the rest of the supply chain. Chem-MAP® MRSL test methods are used to determine the quantity of individual chemicals within a supplied chemical formulation, against those listed on the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) MRSL.
