Eurofins | May 2019 regulatory Newsflash compilation | Softlines & Leather
CE mark for solar UV protection clothing
From 21st April 2019, solar ultraviolet (UV) protection clothing (caps and helmets, gloves, shoes, garments, etc..) with claims or skin protective properties against UV radiation need to be CE marked as a personal protective equipment (PPE).
These products are considered a PPE of Category I (according to Regulation (EU) 2016/425). They must have a label with the CE mark and the manufacturer must create a technical file with all the information of the product as required by the PPE Regulation.
There is not a harmonized standard to test these products, but usually EN 13758-1 and EN 13758-2are used to determine UV radiation transmittance and the requirements of marking of clothing.
Click here for getting the PPE Regulation Guidelines.
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(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.
| Reference | Title | Date of Withdrawal (*) | Supersedes |
|
Textiles - Method for determination of alkylphenols (AP) (ISO 21084:2019) |
2019-09-30 |
- |
|
|
|
Textiles - Quantitative chemical analysis - Part 20: Mixtures of elastane with certain other fibres (method using dimethylacetamide) (ISO 1833-20:2018) |
2019-09-30 |
|
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Textiles - Quantitative chemical analysis - Part 6: Mixtures of viscose, certain types of cupro, modal or lyocell with certain other fibres (method using formic acid and zinc chloride) (ISO 1833-6:2018) |
2019-09-30 |
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Protective clothing - Protection against rain |
2019-09-30 |
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Protective clothing against dangerous solid, liquid and gaseous chemicals, including liquid and solid aerosols - Part 1: Performance requirements for Type 1 (gas-tight) chemical protective suits |
2019-09-30 |
- |
|
Protective clothing against dangerous solid, liquid and gaseous chemicals, including liquid and solid aerosols - Part 2: Performance requirements for Type 1 (gas-tight) chemical protective suits for emergency teams (ET) |
2019-09-30 |
CPSC Requests Information about Possible Changes to the Flammability of Clothing Textiles Standard
On April 23, 2019, The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a notice in the Federal Register to request information about possible changes to 16 CFR 1610- Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles”.
In order to reduce the burdens associated with the testing requirements in 16 CFR 1610, the Commission is proposing to expand the list of fabrics that are exempt from testing under the standard, particularly the possible exemption of spandex from testing requirements. Besides, the Commission is also considering possible changes to the equipment and procedures specified in the standard that may help to reduce the cost.
Comments can be submitted by June 24, 2019. For more information about this proposed rule, click here.
Clarifications for window covering standards
The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) published clarification about the application of the ANSI/WCMA A 100.1-2018 standard. At the moment the WCMA is working to better specify the scope.
For more information click here.
Public comments request for leather guide
On 22nd April 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notified to World Trade Organization its “Guides for Select Leather and Imitation Leather Products” (“Leather Guides”). The aim is to get public comments because it is part of the Comission’s systematic review for this type of documents.
Click here for getting the official publication in the European Commission website with reference G/TBT/N/USA/1446.
Proposal for installation of filtration system for microplastics
On March 2019, under the California Safe Drinking Water Act, Bill AB-129 about microfiber waste was proposed. The aim of this Bill is the reduction of microfiber pollution through the installation of filtration systems in industrial or commercial laundry systems to capture these microplastics that are shed during washing. The application dates for the main points would be the following:
| Date | Main point |
|
On or before July 1, 2020 |
|
|
On or before January 1, 2020 |
“A public entity that uses a laundry system, and a private entity that contracts with a state agency for laundry services, shall install a filtration system to capture microfibers that are shed during washing.” |
|
On or before January 1, 2021 |
“A private entity that uses an industrial or commercial laundry system shall install a filtration system to capture microfibers that are shed during washing.” |
Click here for getting the official publication in California Legislative Information website.
Proposal to designate PFOS as Priority Chemical in children’s products
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has recently proposed a draft rule (“Chapter 890: designation of PFOS as priority chemical”). This chapter would designate perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (“PFOS”) as a priority chemical and would require reporting for certain children’s products containing PFOS.
No later than 180 days after the effective date of this chapter, or within 30 days of the sale of the children’s product within the State of Maine, manufacturers and distributors would be required to report to the Department if the regulated chemical is intentionally added to the following product categories and exceeds the practical quantification limit (PQL), pursuant to section 4(B) of this chapter with some exemptions:
- Childcare article
- Children’s clothing
- Children’s footwear
- Children’s sleepwear
- Children’s toy
- Cookware, tableware, reusable food and beverage containers
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Craft supplies
- Electronic device
- Household furniture and furnishings
The following information would have to be reported to the Department:
- Name and address of the manufacturer or distributor.
- Name, address, and phone number of a contact person for the manufacturer or distributor.
- A description of product that contain PFOS.
- Amount of PFOS in each unit of the product reported.
- Function of PFOS in the product reported.
- Number of product units sold or distributed in Maine.
- Any other relevant information.
Comments can be submitted by May 6, 2019. For more information, click here.
Regulatory updates
Below a summary table with some recent regulation proposals notified to World Trade Organization:
| Notification number | Countries | Title |
|
Ecuador |
Draft third revision (3R) of Ecuadorian Standardization Institute Technical Regulation (PRTE INEN) No. 013 "Labelling of articles of apparel, household linen and clothing accessories". |
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 7 alerts regarding textile & leather products have been reported, from week 12 until week 16 of 2019.
| Type of Risk | Number of alerts | Notes |
|
Chemical |
1 |
Azo-dyes: aromatic amine benzidine. |
|
Choking |
1 |
Children’s clothing – Choking hazard mainly due to small parts being detached from the article. |
|
Injuries |
1 |
The unattached cords in the waist area are too long. Not comply with Standard EN 14682. |
|
Strangulation |
4 |
Children’s clothing – Risk of strangulation due to cords and drawstrings not complying with Standard EN 14682. |
From 21st March to 20th April 2019, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 4 recalls regarding textile & leather products.
| Type of Risk | Number of alerts | Notes |
|
Choking |
2 |
Small ornaments can detach from children’s clothing. |
|
Burn |
2 |
Fail of the flammability standard for children’s sleepwear. |
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