Softlines & Leather | Monthly bulletin | April 2020
Regulatory news - Eurofins updates - Commercial news
New Cicular Economy Action Plan
On 11th March 2020, the European Commission published the new Circular Economy Action Plan to work towards a cleaner and more competitive Europe. The plan presents a set of interrelated initiatives to establish strong and coherent product policy. Further measures will be put in place to reduce waste and ensure that the EU has a well-functioning internal market for high quality secondary raw materials. The EU’s capacity to take responsibility for its waste will be also strengthened. This document is addressed to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
To read the full official publication, please visit the European Commission website here.
See below a table summarising the most recent standard 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(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.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 - Determination of pH of aqueous extract (ISO 3071:2020) |
2020-08-31 |
||
EN ISO 20932-1:2020 |
Textiles - Determination of the elasticity of fabrics - Part 1: Strip tests (ISO 20932-1:2018) |
2020-08-31 |
|
EN ISO 20932-2:2020 |
Textiles - Determination of the elasticity of fabrics - Part 2: Multiaxial tests (ISO 20932-2:2018) |
2020-08-31 |
|
EN ISO 20932-3:2020 |
Textiles - Determination of the elasticity of fabrics - Part 3: Narrow fabrics (ISO 20932-3:2018) |
2020-08-30 |
Standard Updates
See below a table summarising some recent ASTM standards updates:
Reference |
Title |
Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Single Textile Fibers |
|
Standard Performance Specification for Women's and Girls' Knitted and Woven Dress Glove Fabrics |
|
Standard Performance Specification for Women's and Girls' Knitted and Woven Corset-Girdle-Combination Fabrics |
|
Standard Performance Specification for Women's and Girls' Knitted Blouse and Dress Fabrics |
|
Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Plastic Sew-Through Buttons |
|
Standard Test Method for Determining Pressure Decay of Inflatable Restraint Cushions |
|
Standard Terminology for Smart Textiles |
|
Standard Test Method for Determining the Longitudinal Load Required to Detach High Heels from Footwear |
California Proposes to List Carpets and Rugs Containing Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances as a Priority Product
Recently, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) published a notice proposing that carpets and rugs containing Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances be listed as a Priority Product.
This proposed regulation applies to any consumer product made from natural or synthetic fabric which contain any PFASs intended to be used as a floor covering inside commercial or residential buildings with the following exclusions:
- Carpets and rugs intended solely for outdoor use
- Carpets and rugs intended solely for use inside airplanes, trains, automobiles, light duty trucks, vans, buses, or any other vehicles
- Carpets and rugs intended for use in any other indoor environments besides buildings
- Resilient floor coverings
- Artificial turf
- Wall hangings and coverings
- Table mats
- Camping sleeping mats
Comments can be submitted by April 13, 2020.
Please click here for more information.
FTC Proposes to Amend Textile Rules
On February 18, 2020, The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) published a notice of proposed rulemaking in Federal Register which amends 16 CFR 303 Textile Rules by incorporating the most recent ISO 2076 standard for generic fiber names.
Compared to the former ISO 2076 standard, the most recent version ISO 2076:2013(E), “Textiles—Man-made fibres—Generic names” adds seven generic fiber names “Chitin,” “ceramic,” “polybenzimidazol,” “polycarbamide,” “polypropylene/polyamide bicomponent,” “protein,” and “trivinyl” to the standard.
Manufacturers or marketers of fibers not listed in § 303.7 but recognised in ISO standard do not need to petition the Commission to recognise the fiber name, but may simply use the ISO established name. Thus, this proposed amendment could reduce compliance costs and add many other benefits.
Comments must be submitted by March 19, 2020.
Please click here for more information.
Incorporation of the resolution Mercosur to Paraguayan legislation
On 20th February 2020, Paraguayan Ministry of Industry and Commerce published in the Decree 3383 the incorporation of the Resolution MERCOSUR Group No. 62/18 “Mercosur Technical Regulations on Labeling of Textile Products (Repeal of GMC Resolution No. 33/07)” into the National Legal Order and partially repeals Decree No. 12085 of 23 April 2008.
This new decree incorporates the Resolution MERCOSUR in Paraguay’s legal system.
Regulatory proposals notified to WTO
Please see the below table summarising the most recent notifications made to the World Trade Organization (non-exhaustive):
Notification number / Link |
Country |
Title |
India |
Sodium Formaldehyde Sulphoxylate (Quality Control) Order, 2020 Sodium Formaldehyde Sulphoxylate is a powerful reducing agent. It has extensive applications in the textile industry for printing and stripping dyed textiles prior to redying and discharge printing between applications. The standard of the product stipulates minimum purity and maximum permissible content of heavy metals like lead, iron, copper and zinc etc. The locally manufactured or imported Sodium Formaldehyde Sulphoxylate must conform with the Indian standard (IS 4505: 2015) and shall bear the standard mark under license from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) |
|
US |
Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act Notice of proposed rulemaking - The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC" or "Commission") proposes amending the Rules and Regulations under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act ("Textile Rules" or "Rules") to incorporate the most recent ISO 2076 standard for generic fiber names. The proposed amendment should reduce compliance costs and increase flexibility for firms providing textile fiber information to consumers |
As a reminder, below is a summary table of the standards and legislation that will come into effect within the next six months and which will require application:
- Standards:
China:
- 1st July 2020 is the date of withdrawal of the Chinese standard FZ/T 73025-2019 Knitted garment and adornment for infant
This standard replaces to the Chinese standard FZ/T 73025-2013
- 1st July 2020 is the date of withdrawal of the Chinese standard FZ/T 73025-2019 Knitted garment and adornment for infant
-
- 1st July 2020 is the date of withdrawal of the Chinese standard FZ/T 73020-2019, Knitted Causal Wear
These standards replace to the Chinese standard FZ/T 73020-2012
- 1st July 2020 is the date of withdrawal of the Chinese standard FZ/T 73020-2019, Knitted Causal Wear
- Legislation:
Manufacturers and importers should carefully consider these upcoming application dates and confirm that their products comply with these restrictions:
-
- US: 16 CFR Part 1632 - Standard for the flammability of mattresses and mattress pads (FF 4-72, amended)
According to the 2020 Interim Enforcement Policy for Mattresses and Mattress Pads Subject to 16 CFR Part 1632, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently procured a new SRM cigarette, SRM 1196a, which is now directly available for purchase from NIST
This updated policy will become effective on June 8, 2020 and remain in effect until further notice
- US: 16 CFR Part 1632 - Standard for the flammability of mattresses and mattress pads (FF 4-72, amended)
Below you will find a monthly summary table 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 13 alerts regarding Childcare articles, equipment and toys have been reported, from week 8 to week 11 of 2020.
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
Choking |
1 |
Babies' clothing set: The small decorative elements (metal studs) of the product may be easily detached |
Environment |
1 |
Shoulder bag: The bag contains short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) |
Injuries |
1 |
Children's shirt: The product has long functional cords at the waist area. Does not comply with EN 14682 |
Strangulation |
3 |
Children's sweatshirt: The product has long drawstrings with free ends in the neck area. Does not comply with EN 14682 |
Chemicals |
7 |
Men’s sandals: The leather in the product contains chromium VI |
Leather bracelet: The leather in the product contains chromium VI |
||
Slippers: The product contains an excessive amount of lead |
||
Rain suit: The product contains an excessive amount of lead |
||
Rainwear: The plastic material contains short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) and lead |
||
Leather shoes: The leather in the product contains chromium VI |
||
Girls’ shoes: The leather in the product contains chromium VI |
From the 16th February 2020 to the 15th March of 2020, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 2 recalls regarding Childcare and children’s products.
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
Burn | 2 |
Children’s pajamas and robes: Do not comply with the flammability standard for children’s sleepwear that requires sleepwear to be either snug-fitting or flame resistant |
Covid-19 | Testing, inspection and certification of products and devices
Eurofins labs at work worldwide to keep you healthy and safe
Eurofins global offer for testing, inspection and certification of products and devices, aimed to serve the increasing demand caused by the coronavirus epidemic.
Eurofins Textile and Footwear Testing Spain has received U.S. CPSC accreditation
Our Softlines & Leather laboratory in Alicante, Spain has received accreditation from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on 16 CFR Part 1610 flammability of clothing textile, determination of phthalates and lead content in several children’s products. Please visit U.S. CPSC website for accreditation details. Don’t hesitate to contact the lab at Textile_Spain@eurofins.com if you need any assistance!
Take Advantage of the Unique Range of Testing and Technical Services Offered by Eurofins | BLC
Manufacturers and retailers can get one step ahead with the unique range of testing and consulting services at Eurofins | BLC:
- Fault Diagnostic Services
- Chemical Testing (RSL compliance)
- MRSL Testing MRSL Testing (Manufacturing Restricted Substance Testing)
- Chrome VI Management Services
- Micro Plastic Testing
- Supply Chain Mapping Supply Chain Mapping with Graphical Visualisation
- Ve-MAP - Vegan Verification
- Biodegradability and Biodegradability Disintegration Testing
Read more about the above range of technical services in our brochure.
Eurofins Softlines and Leather expands testing capabilities in China
Eurofins Softlines and Leather is pleased to announce the expansion of its capabilities in China, demonstrating its confidence in and commitment to the market despite global uncertainty as a result of COVID-19.
Fluorine chemistry – from yes to no
Once considered wonder chemicals for their water and stain resistant properties, PFCs are rapidly falling out of favour as more and more evidence comes to light of their harmful impact on people and the planet.
Free webinars series in April!
Eurofins AQM has prepared a series of free webinars on some of the environmental issues that are critical in consumer products production, particularly for textile and leather products.