In accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 on textile fibre names and related labelling and marking of fibre composition of textile products (the Textile Regulation), the Commission presents a report regarding possible new labelling requirements of textile products and on a study on allergenic substances in textile products.
Issues examined: these issues include an origin labelling scheme, a harmonised care labelling system, a Union-wide uniform size labelling system, an indication of allergenic substances, electronic labelling and other new technologies, language-independent symbols or codes for the identification of textile fibres. The possible labelling or marking of leather products was also examined. Moreover, the Commission was required to carry out a study to evaluate whether there is a causal link between allergic reactions and chemical substances or mixtures used in textile products, and where appropriate, submit legislative proposals.
This report has been established on the basis of the outcome of the studies carried out on the Commission’s behalf.
Evaluation: whilst the studies and the consultations with a large spectrum of stakeholders have indicated that the development of new initiatives to establish new labelling requirements for textile products is of interest to consumers, the Commission concludes that labelling requirements, such as the following, do not need to be addressed in the Textile Regulation, given they are currently in place or being developed under other regulatory on non-regulatory frameworks:
· care and size labelling is being addressed either by voluntary schemes or standards;
· standardisation work, in particular, is progressing towards a harmonised size designation and coding system, at EU and international level; and
· country of origin labelling is being addressed by the Commission proposal for a regulation on consumer product safety, which provides a cross-sector solution to country of origin and traceability related aspects.
Study on allergenic substances: the report notes that around 1-2% of all contact allergies are reported to stem from textiles. Around 2/3 of textile-related allergy cases are attributed to disperse dyes, some of which can cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in sensitised individuals. Current scientific knowledge also indicates that some textile finish resins can release substances which cause ACD in sensitised individuals. Many textile additives and auxiliaries are rare sensitizers, but reactive dyes do not have sensitising potential. On the basis of their intrinsic properties, there are substances classified as skin sensitizers or irritants, which may remain in finished textile products.
The Commission concludes that it is not yet possible to draw a general conclusion on whether there is a causal link between allergic reactions and chemical substances used and remaining on finished textile products. There remains uncertainty about the actual release and the safe threshold concentration levels of sensitizing and irritating chemical substances on finished textile products and this makes it difficult to convey accurate and relevant information about risks to consumers. Furthermore, a risk assessment is necessary to establish whether those substances pose an unacceptable risk requiring action in the context of REACH’s restriction procedure. Peer-reviewed epidemiological data is sparse and, when available, not recent.
Although some voluntary labelling schemes do already exist to inform consumers about the presence of hazardous substances (including allergenic substances) in textile products, labelling schemes and other tools to convey information on allergenic substances should be further investigated. Also, the need for further measures to control the presence of substances (in particular sensitizers) which are found in finished textile products and may be released from products should be assessed and, if appropriate, addressed under the relevant instruments available in EU chemicals legislation, and in particular under the REACH Regulation. The outcome of parallel processes, such as the on-going revision of the EU Ecolabel criteria for textile products, will be taken into account.