Eurofins Softlines & Leather Monthly Bulletin (December 2022)

EUROPE

Best Available Techniques conclusion for the textiles industry

On 20 December 2022, The European Commission published Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2508 of 9 December 2022 establishing Best Available Techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on Industrial Emissions, for the textiles industry (notified under document C(2022) 8984).

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established in Article 75(1) of Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control).

These BAT conclusions do not cover the following:

• Coating and lamination with an organic solvent consumption capacity of more than 150 kg per hour or more than 200 tonnes per year. These are covered by the BAT conclusions on surface treatment using organic solvents including preservation of wood and wood products with chemicals (STS).

• Production of man-made fibres and yarns. This may be covered by BAT conclusions covering the sector of polymers production.

• Unhairing of hides and skins. This may be covered by the BAT conclusions for the tanning of hides and skins (TAN).

EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles

On 22 November 2022, The European Commission published the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles (COM(2022) 141 final).

The main points to consider are:

• Competitively aspects

• Sustainability, circularity and transition to a green economy

• Consumers and digitalisation

• Education and working conditions

• Funding and investments

The aim of the textile strategy is to facilitate a circular and digital transition with appropriate and flexible measures that address industry needs. Creativity and sustainable innovation must be an integral part of this strategy in order to develop a circular economy and minimise the environmental impact of the textile sector.

European Technical Specification for community face coverings

On 2 November 2022, the European Committee for Standardisation published the following European Technical Specification:

CEN/TS 17553:2022 ‘Textiles and textile products - Community face coverings - Minimum requirements, methods of testing and use’.

This technical specification specifies the minimum requirements for reusable or single use community face coverings intended for the general public, which cover the nose, mouth and chin.

These requirements include: innocuousness, design (including fit), performance, test methods, marking, packaging, and usage information.

This document is not intended as guidance for medical face masks or personal protective equipment. This document excludes impermeable nose and mouth shields and face coverings incorporating inhalation and/or exhalation valves.

Standards updates

The following table summarises the most recent standard updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

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

(**) Date of availability: the definitive text in the official language versions of an approved CEN/CENELEC publication is distributed by the Central Secretariat.

FRANCE

Roadmap for managing textile waste 2023-2028

On 28 September 2022, the Ministry of the Ecological Transition published the 2023-2028 roadmap for the management of textile waste. The main aims of the roadmap are:

• To provide incentives for products that are designed to be more sustainable, more environmentally friendly, and remanufactured from recycled textiles;

• Reduce the cost of repairing textiles so they last longer;

• Develop new solutions for collecting used textiles, particularly in small towns and rural areas, to give them a second life;

• Fund the sorting and repair of textiles to give them a second life;

• Encourage the consistent recycling of non-reusable textiles in France to remanufacture textiles without depleting resources, through established processes.

The idea is that new specifications will be presented and implemented from 2023 for a period of six years, once the roadmap is approved.

Specifications for eco-organisations and individual systems in textile sector

On 25 November 2022, The Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion published Order of 23 November 2022 laying down specifications for eco-organisations and individual systems in the extended sector of textile, footwear and household linen (TLC) production.

This order defines specifications for eco-organisations, and how they must contribute to or provide for the reuse, repair, recycling and treatment of waste from textiles, shoes and household linen (TLC) as mentioned in 11° of the article L.541-10-1 of the environment code. It also defines the specifications for the individual systems put in place, where applicable, by producers to individually fulfill their extended responsibilities and obligations.

The decree comes into force from 1 January 2023.

US

Standards updates

See below a table summarising some recent ASTM standards updates:

PRODUCT RECALLS / ALERTS

Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “Safety Gate (RAPEX)”) and the U.S. (Source “CPSC”).

Europe

Safety Gate (RAPEX) (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities)

The following 16 alerts regarding textile & leather products were reported between week 47 and week 51 of 2022.

UK

The OPSS issues Product Safety Alerts on the UK market. The following alerts regarding textile & leather products were reported between week 47 and week 51 of 2022.

3 recalls regarding textiles

U.S.

From 23 November 2022 to 15 December 2022, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls: 2 recalls of textile & leather products