Eurofins | Newsflash – November 2018 | Textile & Leather

Europe

New limits for 33 CMR substances in clothing, textiles and footwear under REACH

On 12^th October 2018, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 1513/2018 that modifies Annex XVII to REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 by including a new entry (Entry 72)

This new entry affects textiles, clothing, related accessories and footwear by restricting the use of certain CMR substances by their Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Toxic for Reproduction properties.

These new requirements shall be applicable from 1 November 2020.
Read the entire news at the following (link)

Europe

Microfibre testing – A new test method by Eurofins to combat microplastics

The world is waking up to a big issue with microplastic pollution.

Authorities are beginning to introduce legislation to phase out microplastic use and manufacturers need to stay informed to remain compliant.

To address the issue of microplastic pollution and in line with the corporate mission to contribute to a more sustainable future, Eurofins | BLC Leather Technology Centre has developed a microfibre test method that calculates and quantifies microfibre discharge from synthetic materials and clothing.

Read the entire news at the following (link)

Europe

Standard 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(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn

Reference	Title	*Date of Withdrawal ()**	Supersedes
EN ISO 10750:2018	Footwear - Test method for slide fasteners - Attachment strength of end stops (ISO 10750:2015)	2019-03-31	-
EN ISO 11640:2018	Leather - Tests for colour fastness - Colour fastness to cycles of to-and-fro rubbing (ISO 11640:2018)	2019-03-31	EN ISO 11640:2012

Ukraine

Draft requirements for labelling of footwear

On 15^th October 2018, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine notified its Draft of the Order of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine "On approving the Technical Regulation on labelling the materials used to manufacture the main components of footwear for sale to the consumer" to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This draft provides labelling requirements for footwear ensuring compliance with Directive 1994/11/EC and Ukrainian law.

Click here for getting the notification published in the European Commission website with reference G/TBT/N/UKR/142.

SOFFA: Bill proposal for flammability regulation for upholstered furniture

On 4^th October 2018 , the Safer Occupancy Furniture Flammability Act (SOFFA) was adopted by Senate.

The aim of this bill proposal S. 3551 is to adopt a certain California flammability standard as a Federal flammability standard to protect against the risk of upholstered furniture flammability, and for other purposes.

SOFFA will be enforceable 180 days after date of enactment of the Act.

Standards Updates

Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:

Reference	Title
ASTM D1517 - 18	Standard Terminology Relating to Leather

US- San Francisco

Guidelines for Compliance of Flame Retardant Ordinance

In June this year, we already informed that San Francisco had approved “Flame Retardant Chemicals in Upholstered Furniture and Juvenile Products Ordinance” ( No.211-17).

The Ordinance prohibits the sale of upholstered furniture and certain juvenile products that contain or is made with a flame retardant chemical at a level above 1,000 parts per million from 1^st January 2019. Covered products with electrical or electronic components shall comply with this Ordinance from July 1, 2019.

San Francisco’s Department of Environment has recently published some guidelines for compliance with this ordinance (To read these guidelines click here: SFE-18-1-FR)

Canada

Canada Issues Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations

On 17^th October 2018, Health Canada published Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations: SOR/2018-196 on the Canada Gazette, Part II.

These Regulations prohibit the import, sale, and use of processed asbestos fibers and products containing processed asbestos fibers and consumer products containing naturally occurring asbestos in greater than trace amounts, with some exceptions.

The Regulations will come into force on the 90^th day after the day on which they are registered that is 30 December, 2018 and the current Asbestos Products Regulations SOR/2016-164 will be repealed on the same day.

Click here for more information.

Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru (Andean Community)

Draft labelling requirements for footwear and leather products

On 4^th October 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru (Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo del Perú) notified the “Draft Andean Technical Regulation on the labelling of footwear, leather goods, travel goods and similar items” to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The aim of this draft text is to establish the minimum information and its presentation requirements for labels attached to footwear, leather goods, travel goods and other similar manufactured and/or imported items marketed to prevent misleading.

Click here for getting the notification published in the European Commission website with reference G/TBT/N/BOL/12.

Product Recalls / Alerts

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 46 alerts regarding textile & leather products have been reported, from week 38 until week 42.

Type of Risk	Number of alerts	Notes
Chemical	9	Nickel
		Cadmium
		Chromium (VI)
		Lead
		Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) benz(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(e)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and benzo(j)fluoranthene
Chocking	9	Children’s clothing – Chocking hazard mainly due to small parts being detached from the article
Injuries, Strangulation	28	Children’s clothing – Risk of strangulation due to cords and drawstrings not complying with applicable standard

CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 1 recall regarding textile & leather products.

Type of Risk	Number of recalls	Notes
Chocking	1	Children’s clothing – Chocking hazard mainly due to small parts being detached from the article

Chem-MAP

Chem-MAP Chemical
Verification Systems

ZDHC Approved Chemical Verification Systems for the Textile and Leather Supply Chain

The responsible management of chemical inputs into consumer product supply chains is a key priority for many brands and retailers. There are many advantages to controlling input chemistry, yet, global supply chains are often complex with multiple tiers of stakeholders and positive change requires action from the entire value chain.

The Chem-MAP family developed by Eurofins | BLC, consists of c-MAP, b-MAP and m-MAP. These products provide specific chemical management services for the entire supply chain, from chemical supplier through manufacturing facility to brands and retailers, supporting best practice in terms of end to end supply chain chemical management systems.

Visit the Chem-MAP Site to Find Out More About How Chem-MAP Works here.