OpenLobby.EU
Explore

Bureau of International Recycling

BIR

Founded in 1948, BIR was the first federation to support the interests of the recycling industry on an international scale.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Restriction of CMR substances in textile articles and clothing for consumer use under REACH

7 Mar 2018

For the kind attention of: The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Wednesday, 07 March 2018 Restriction of CMR substances in textile articles and clothing for consumer use under REACH We send greetings from the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), the world federation of the recycling industries. BIR represents, from more than 70 countries, private-sector company members and 35 national associations, which form the largest international recycling federation. The BIR is organised in Divisions and Committees according to the major recycled commodities. The BIR Textiles Division specifically supports this Commission Regulation, amending the REACh Annex XVII as regards certain substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) that inter-alia excludes “c) second-hand clothing, related accessories, textiles other than clothing or footwear.” Further evidence to support the exclusion of second-hand clothing, related accessories, textiles other than clothing or footwear Besides the research that has shown that washing new clothes removes chemicals used in manufacturing, as by Greenpeace on Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPE)s which shows the levels of those chemicals being much reduced after a few wash cycles. [LINK]. Supporting the obvious that washing removes significant chemicals, dermatologists have often advised that new clothes should be washed at least once as soon as the consumer gets them home, as chemicals used in garments could be responsible for rashes, itches and all manner of allergic reactions. The conclusion is that any dangerous substances that might have been present in new clothing, related accessories, textiles other than clothing have been washed out by the time they are sent for re-use. Request for clarification Are we correct in our understanding that the “other textiles that come into contact with human skin to an extent that is similar to clothing (for example, bed linen, blankets, upholstery or reusable nappies) in Recital 4 are the “textiles other than clothing” referred to in the exclusion paragraph c) ? Yours sincerely, Ross Bartley Trade & Environment Director
Read full response