EU plans to ban carcinogens in clothes

Together with the United Nations, the EU Commission is fighting against hazardous chemicals and, starting with textiles and clothing, wants to ban 291 toxic substances in consumer articles that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR).

The Commission gives priority to textile and clothing articles because of the close contact of consumers with them and thus "the high likelihood of a prolonged – or multiple short-term – exposure of consumers to CMR substances". This is why it would like to introduce a simplified procedure as part of the REACH chemical restriction regulation to widely ban CMR substances. Currently, the Commission is checking the plans' feasibility and potential socioeconomic consequences through public consultation. Phthalates, dyes and flame retardants are all CMR substances, of which the latter can be found in fire extinguishing foam, non-stick coatings and outdoor clothing.

UN experts recommend adding the flame retardant deca-BDE to the list of persistent organic contaminants according to the Stockholm Convention and advocated a global ban for deca-BDE, PFOA and similar chemicals last week in Rome. A final verdict on the matter may take time as the proposal has to be submitted to the national governments first, which have time until May 2017 to submit a final report. In the meantime, the EU too plans to ban deca-BDE but has to wait for the approval by the Commission and the EU Council.

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