On 14 January 2016, European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2016/26 to amend Entry 46 in Annex XVII to REACH by including NPE restrictions on textile articles. This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

In Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, the following new entry 46a is added:

Designation of the substance, of the group of substances or of the mixture

Conditions of restriction

‘46a. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) (C2H4O)nC15H24O

1. Shall not be placed on the market after 3 February 2021 in textile articles which can reasonably be expected to be washed in water during their normal lifecycle, in concentrations equal to or greater than 0,01 % by weight of that textile article or of each part of the textile article. 2. Paragraph 1 shall not apply to the placing on the market of second- hand textile articles or of new textile articles produced, without the use of NPE, exclusively from recycled textiles. 3. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, “textile article” means any unfinished, semi-finished or finished product which is composed of at least 80 % textile fibres by weight, or any other product that contains a part which is composed of at least 80 % textile fibres by weight, including products such as clothing, accessories, interior textiles, fibres, yarn, fabrics and knitted panels.’

The previous Entry 46 only targeted at “the placing on the market or use of NPE as substances or in mixtures” and the limit value was 0,1%. However, the amendment extends the scope and adds a limit value of 0,01% by weight of that textile article or of each part of the textile article.

With the Regulation effective since 24 January 2016, textile articles with NPE in concentrations of equal to or greater than 0,01% shall not be placed on EU market since 3 February 2021.


C&K Testing advises EU exporters to keep an eye on any update or amendment to REACH Regulation as it is closely associated with international trade. Furthermore, companies had better send their products for testing to avoid any loss caused by non-compliance.

C&K Testing will keep tracking on any news on REACH Regulation and share the latest information with you.