Limit requirements for formaldehyde in textiles in various countries/regions around the world

Limit requirements for formaldehyde in textiles in various countries/regions around the world

Formaldehyde is a gas with a strong irritating odor and is a toxic chemical. Formaldehyde is more or less present in textiles that have been printed, dyed or finished. When the formaldehyde residue on textiles and clothing reaches a certain amount, it will have adverse effects on the human body. Various companies and regions have enacted legislation to limit the content of formaldehyde.

Some countries or regions (organizations) have limited requirements for formaldehyde in textiles (limited indicators and main content/(mg/kg)≤):

China

On November 27, 2003, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China issued the GB 18401-2003 National Basic Safety Technical Specifications for Textile Products. The limited indicators and main contents are divided into three categories according to the end use of the products, including: Infant products (Category A) :20; direct contact skin products (Category B): 75; non-direct skin contact products (Category C): 300.

On November 22, 2002, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China issued GB/T 18885-2002 technical requirements for ecological textiles, which were divided into four categories according to the end use of the products, including: Infant products (Category I): not detectable; direct Skin contact products (Category II): 75; non-direct skin contact products (Category III): 300; decorative materials (Category IV): 300.

France

Official Gazette 97/0141/F stipulates that products for infants and young children under 36 months of age: 20; products with direct contact with the skin: 200; products with indirect contact with the skin: 400.

European Union

EU Eco-labelling: Infant textiles, underwear and bedding: 30; outerwear: 100; curtains, furniture textiles, carpets: 300.

United Kingdom

Relevant technical regulations and standards limiting formaldehyde content: formaldehyde detection method standards: free formaldehyde in fabrics: 700; released formaldehyde: 1000.

Japan

According to Japan’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry No. 112 (1973) “Regulations on the Content of Hazardous Substances in Daily Necessities”: Clothing with direct contact with the skin: 75; Clothing with less direct contact with the skin (such as shirts): 300; Outerwear; 1000; clothing for infants and young children under 2 years old: 20.

Relevant technical regulations and standards that limit formaldehyde content: Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare Order No. 34 (1974) “Implementation Rules for Regulations on the Content of Hazardous Substances in Daily Necessities”: Baby products: Absorbance A~Ao: 0.05 or less (equivalent to 15~20); Other products: 75.

Relevant technical regulations and standards limiting formaldehyde content: Japan Textile Inspection Association standards: Af value for infants and young children under 2 years old: 0.05 (equivalent to 15 to 20); underwear: below 75; men’s and women’s shirts; below 300; men’s and women’s casual pants and Skirt: less than 1,000.

Finland

Formaldehyde Limits in Textiles (210/1998), which came into effect on April 1, 1988: Products used by infants and young children under 2 years old: 30; Products in direct contact with the skin during normal use: 100; Not in direct contact with the skin during normal use Products for skin: 300.

Norway

Ministry of Environment regulations on chemical substances in textiles: products for infants and young children under 2 years old: 30; products that come into direct contact with the skin during normal use: 100; products that do not come into direct contact with the skin during normal use: 300.

United States

On January 31, 2005, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Health Service released a report on carcinogens: formaldehyde was listed as a Class I carcinogen. The clothing industry proposed a formaldehyde release limit of 500 for various types of clothing.

Germany

Paragraph 9 of Appendix 3 of the Dangerous Goods Law promulgated on October 20, 1993 stipulates that when the amount of free formaldehyde released in textiles in direct contact with the skin is greater than 1500, it must be marked in German and English: “Contains formaldehyde. It is recommended that the first Wash before wearing to avoid harmful effects on skin.”

Austria

BGBL, Nr. 194/1990 regulations: When the formaldehyde content in a product exceeds 1500, it needs to be labeled.

Netherlands

Relevant regulations on formaldehyde content limits that came into effect on July 1, 2000: the import and export of goods containing excess formaldehyde (120) are prohibited. The new regulations do not completely ban the use of formaldehyde, but the formaldehyde content must be less than 120 after the first wash according to the washing instructions; the product or its packaging must be marked with “wash before use”.

Note: Take measures to ensure that products meet standard requirements

For companies that produce yarn, fabrics and other products, they must accurately understand the meaning of indicator classification. For products such as fabrics that are not for final consumption, they can label their end use according to the actual level of formaldehyde content, or directly label their formaldehyde content value. This can guide or guide downstream production companies to make purchases.

For sewing processing enterprises, they must not only pay attention to the effective control of formaldehyde in fabrics, but also strictly control the formaldehyde in all linings and accessories (such as sewing threads, adhesive linings, etc.). Suppliers should be required to provide products that meet standards. Guarantee; on the other hand, the company itself should also promptlyTest the main and auxiliary materials to see if the formaldehyde content is qualified, and find out whether the formaldehyde content of existing products exceeds the standard. Only in this way can we ensure that the final product meets the formaldehyde limit requirements.

Test method: GB/T 2912.1 “Determination of formaldehyde in textiles – Part 1: Free and hydrolyzed formaldehyde (water extraction method)”, ISO14184-1 “Determination of formaldehyde in textiles – Part 1 free and hydrolyzed formaldehyde (water extraction method)”. Test instrument: UV-Vis.

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