Softlines & Leather regulatory updates April 2022
Sustainable products initiative
On 3 April 2022, the European Commission opened a public consultation to collect opinions about the adopted act to the Ecodesign Directive on consumer products and to propose additional legislation within the EU market to promote sustainability.
EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles
On 30 March 2022, the European Commission published the Communication about EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles (COM(2022)141 final).
The development of end-of-waste criteria for plastic waste
In the Circular Economy Action plan, the European Commission announced the assessment to identify the priority list of waste streams for the development of further EU-wide end-of-waste criteria. After several years of work, the top two candidate streams to be prioritised are.
The latest publications by Anses related to textile and footwear.
New York proposes to restrict PFAS and Phthalates in packaging
The State of New York has recently proposed to expand its toxics in packaging act to include restrictions for phthalates and PFAS. Under FY 2023 New York State Executive Budget: Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation – Article VII Legislation, Part SS, beginning 31 December 2024, New York proposes to prohibit the distribution of packages and packaging components containing.
California designates treatments containing PFAS substances for use on converted textiles or leathers as a priority product
On 1 April 2022, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) listed a new Priority Product under the Safer Consumer Products Regulations: treatments containing PFAS substances for use on converted textiles or leathers such as carpets, upholstery, clothing, and shoes. The cover products include aftermarket treatment products, such as cleaners, protectants, spot removers, and water repellents, but does not include products exclusively used during the manufacturing of converted textiles and leathers.
New Jersey introduces bill to restrict the use of recyclable claims
New Jersey has recently introduced Bill S2145 to prohibit the sale of certain products marketed as recyclable, unless the Department of Environmental Protection determines that the products are widely recycled.
California proposes second modification of Prop 65 short form warning rule
On 5 April 2022, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) issued “Notice Second 15-Day Modification of Text for Proposed Amendment: Clear and Reasonable Warnings – Short Form.” After reviewing comments on the first modification, the OEHHA proposed the following significant changes.
Washington State passes PFAS priority products law
On 31 March 2022, the State of Washington enacted HB1694, which allows the Department of Ecology (DOE) to accelerate the regulation of PFAS-containing priority products under the Safer Products for Washington program.
Proposition 65 60-Day Notices for BPA in Shoes
In April 2022, there were several Proposition 65 60-day notices for Bisphenol-A (BPA) in shoes. BPA is listed under Proposition 65 as a chemical known to cause reproductive toxicity.
Canada updates product safety laboratory test methods
Health Canada develops non-mandatory Product Safety Laboratory (PSL) test methods in order to provide assistance to the industry in understanding how Health Canada assesses products for compliance with mandatory regulations. Health Canada has recently updated the following PSL test methods.
Japan proposes to designate PFOA-related substances as Class I Specified Chemical Substances
On 2 March 2022, Japan announced a draft measure to designate PFOA-related substances as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under the Act on the Examination of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Manufacturing, etc. The proposed measure attaches a list of PFOA-related substances and aims to prohibit the import of the following products containing the listed substances.
China issues new standard for ski and snowboard wear
China has released a new national standard GB/T 41176-2021 Professional sportswear – ski and snowboard wear, which will become effective on 1 July 2023.
New requirements for textile items
In March, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Morocco published a notice for importers which indicates the new requirements for textiles items. The main points are.
Europe
RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).
