REACH Regulation to restrict NPEs in textiles

The EU Commission has notified WTO on related amendment to Annex XVII to REACH Regulation on nonyl phenol ethoxylates (NPEs) on 16 April 2015. The draft Regulation has a transition period of 60 months between the adoption of the restriction and its applicability, in order to give sufficient time to producers to adapt their production processes so that they comply with the restriction. Adoption is forecast for Q4 2015. The draft would introduce a restriction on the use of NPEs in textile articles with its details as below:
 

Name

Restriction conditions

46a. “Nonylphenol ethoxylates (C2H4O)nC15H24O

1. Shall not be placed on the market after [date 60 months after entry into force] 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 to new textile articles produced 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.”

Currently, products under regulation of article 46 only targets at substances and substance combination placed on the market or for use. So the scope of products is expanded after such amendment.
 
Background:
◎Why the proposal on restricting such substance is adopted?
When NPEs enters the environment, it will lead to more NP after its degradation. NP is a substance with stronger toxicity and persistence for environment. Once emitted, it will exist in the environment for a long time, which may lead to contamination to environment such as the aquatic environment and therefore cause damage to human health.
◎Why the dossier submitted by Sweden requires restriction on NP and NPEs but the draft only justify that of the latter?
As explained in Paragraph A 3.3 of the related background document of Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC), there are few available data on NP concentrations in textiles and they show merely traces of NP being detected in textiles. However NP is not identified as an intentional use in textile processing and the fact that NP is sometimes being found in textile articles is believed to be due to the use of NPE-formulations. So placing a limit value on NPE should thus achieve reduction in the concentrations of both NP and NPE in textiles. Overall, the effectiveness of the restriction is expected to be kept intact even if NP is not targeted directly by the proposed limit value and it has lower testing cost.
 
C&K Testing hereby reminds you that REACH Regulation is of vital importance especially for enterprises aiming to export to the EU. So related enterprises shall pay close attention to regulation amendment and take active part in updating tests so that products may pass the customs and placed on the market for sale normally.
 
C&K Testing has always been paying great attention to the real-time information of REACH Regulation, by which we may provide you with prompt information.

【中文版】

Further information
>>WTO notice on NPEs restriction
>>NPEs restriction draft
>>Background document to the Opinion on the Annex XV dossier proposing restrictions on NONYLPHENOL and NONYLPHENOL ETHOXYLATES

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