The European Commission Banned The Use Of Npes In Textile Products In 2021.

The European Commission (EC) has issued a provision prohibiting all EU Member States from using nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (NPEs) in textile products sold.

According to the EU official communique, the revised (REACH) regulation will take effect from February 2nd (2016), and the enterprise will have five years to remove chemicals from their products and supply chain.

This means that starting in February 3, 2021,

Textile products on the market should no longer contain NPEs.

It is reasonable to expect that 0.01% of the textile products or parts of the product whose concentration is equal to or greater than the weight can be cleaned in water in their normal life cycle.

The so-called "

"Textile article" means "any unfinished, semi-finished or finished product is calculated on the basis of its weight, including at least 80% of the textile fibers, or any part of the weight of any product, which contains at least 80% of the textile fibers, such as garments, accessories, indoor textiles, fibers, yarns, fabrics and knitted fabrics".

However, this restriction will not apply to second-hand textile products or textile products that are not made use of NPE, entirely recovered from textiles.

The move began when EU Member States agreed to ban chemicals after going to (2015).

The widespread use of NPE in the textile industry is disclosed by the international Greenpeace report - Dirty Laundry 2: Hung Out to Dry in 2011-. They point out that two textile factories that supply global garment brands in mainland China have found toxic chemicals discharged from their wastewater.

Greenpeace also points out loopholes in the EU's REACH chemicals.

Although NPE is prohibited from using textile products in the EU, the EU does not prohibit the import of textile products containing NPE.

NPE is often used as a surface in textiles.

It will decompose and form toxic nonylphenol (NP).

Greenpeace points out that nonylphenol is a persistent chemical interfering hormone that is easily accumulated in the food chain, and even if the content is very low, it is also dangerous and toxic.

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In June 1, 2016, the first mandatory national standard for children's clothing GB 31701-2015 "infant and child textile product safety technical specification" will be formally implemented.

The norm is for children aged 36 months and 3 to 14 years of age, pition to May 31, 2018.

During the pition period, products manufactured and met the relevant standard requirements before June 1, 2016 will continue to be sold in the market.

From June 1, 2018 onwards, all relevant products on the market must meet the requirements of this standard.