The European Commission has begun soliciting input from industry, health and policy experts on a potential plan to restrict hazardous substances in textile articles and clothing used by consumers.
While all citizens and organizations are welcome to contribute to the “public consultation,” the EC is particularly eager to hear from companies and organizations that could be impacted by such restrictions.
The period of consultation began Oct. 22 and ends Jan. 22, 2016.
Under the European Regulation on Registration, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), the EC may use a simplified procedure to restrict substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) in articles that could be used by consumers. Textile articles and clothing were selected as a first test-case because of the high likelihood of a prolonged or multiple short-term exposure of consumers to CMR substances being potentially present in those articles.
The EC believes the present public consultation is needed to target relevant chemicals and articles and to consider the proportionality and enforceability of a possible restriction in this area. The main objectives of the public consultation is to collect information on the presence or likelihood of presence of identified CMR substances in relevant consumer articles and in so far as is possible also gather information on their concentration, function and on the availability of alternatives, the potential socio-economic impacts and the enforceability of the possible restriction.
Interested parties can read more here, including a preliminary list of CMRs that could be restricted, contact information for emailing questions and a link to an online questionnaire which must be submitted by Jan. 22, 2016.
