Eurofins Softlines & Leather Monthly Bulletin (September 2021)

EUROPE

Standards updates

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(*) Date of withdrawal: latest date by which national standards conflicting with an EN (and HD for CENELEC) have to be withdrawn.

FRANCE

The identification of endocrine disruptors in consumer products

On 25 August 2021, The French Authorities published the following Decree related to law AGEC (the fight against waste and the circular economy):

Decree n ° 2021-1110 of 23 August 2021 relating to the provision of information allowing the identification of endocrine disruptors in a product.

The aim of the decree is the provision of information to identify endocrine disruptors in a product placed on the market. Thus, it requires that any person placing on the market products containing substances exhibiting endocrine disrupting properties according to the ANSES publishes a list of these products and the substances that each of them contains. This publication will be carried out in an open format allowing collaborative platforms to exploit this information and thus better inform consumers. The obligation relating to the provision of information allowing the identification of endocrine disruptors in a product placed on the market applies no later than six months after the publication of the order fixing the list of substances with disrupting properties.

Technical publications

Please find below a table summarising recent technical publications (non-exhaustive):

U.S.

New AATCC method for release of fiber fragments

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) published the Test Method for Fiber Fragment Release During Home Laundering (AATCC TN 212-2021).

It was developed with the aim of combating aquatic pollution caused by the microplastics and microfibers that garments shed during home laundering.

The main points are:

• It provides a standardised method for quantifying fiber fragments shedding.
• It defines standard nomenclature with the terms fiber fragment and microfiber or microplastics.
• It provides a means of accelerated laundering setting.
• It applies to man-made fibers, natural fibers and blends.

For more information, consult the AATCC website here.

Utah - New requirement for sterilisation of quilted clothing

1 January 2022 is the date limit to add the sterilisation permit number (PER. NO.) in the textile label of quilted and filling clothing. The State of Utah’s Bedding, Upholstered Furniture and Quilted Clothing Inspection Act has the aim of protect consumers and provide hygienically clean and safe product.

It applies to bedding, upholstered furniture, or quilted clothing made in whole or in part with filling material such as cotton, wool, kapok, feathers, down, shoddy, hair, or other material, or a combination of materials, whether loose or in bags, bales, batting, pads, or others.

It is important to note that, for this Act, Quilted clothing means a filled garment or apparel, exclusive of trim used for aesthetic effect, or a stiffener, shoulder pad, interfacing, or other material that is made in whole or in part from filling material and sold or offered for sale.

For more information, consul the Utah Department of Agriculture and food website here.

The first Prop 65 Notice of BPA in textiles

In September 2021 the first 60-day Notice on Bisphenol-A (BPA) in textiles according to California Proposition 65 was issued.

After extensive testing, the BPA was found in baby, children’s, and women’s socks at a level exceeding the safe limit of the chemical, according to California law. BPA is linked to cancer and numerous other serious health concerns.

To see the notice, consult the State of California Department of Justice website here.

Standards updates

The table below summarises some recent ASTM standards updates:

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Regulatory proposals notified to WTO

The table below summarises the most recent notifications made to the World Trade Organization (WTO) (non-exhaustive):

PRODUCT RECALLS / ALERTS

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

Europe

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

There are 4 alerts regarding textile & leather products were reported between week 34 and week 37 of 2021.

US

Between 21 August and 20 September 2021, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls: 1 recall of textile & leather products.