1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B DIRECTIVE96/74/ECOFTHEEUROPEANPARLIAMENTANDOFTHECOUNCIL
of16December 1996
ontextile names
(OJ L 32, 3.2.1997, p. 38)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Directive 97/37/EC of 19 June 1997 L 169 74 27.6.1997
►M2Commission Directive 2004/34/EC of 23 March 2004 L 89 35 26.3.2004
Amended by:
►A1Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Czech Republic, the
Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia,the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic ofMalta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak
Republic and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the European
Union isfoundedL 236 33 23.9.2003
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DIRECTIVE 96/74/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
ANDOFTHECOUNCIL
of16December 1996
ontextile names
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and
in particular Article 100a thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189b of
the Treaty (3),
(1)WhereasCouncil Directive 71/307/EEC of 26 July 1971 on theapproximation of the lawsof the Member Statesrelating totextile names(
4) has been amended frequently and substantially;
whereas, for reasons of clarity and rationality the said Directiveshould be consolidated;
(2)Whereas, if the provisions of the Member States with regard to
the names, composition and labelling of textile products were to
vary from one Member State to another, thiswould createhindrancesto the proper functioning of the internal market;
(3)Whereasthes e hindrancescan be eliminated if the placing oftextile productson the market at Community level iss ubject to
uniform rules; whereas it is therefore necessary to harmonize the
namesof textile fibresand the particularsappearing on labels ,markingsand documentswhich accompany textile productsatthe various stages of their production, processing and distribu-tion; whereasthe term ‘textile fibre’ isto be extended to
include strips or tubes with an apparent width of not more than
5 mm, which are cut out from sheets manufactured by extrusionof the polymerslis ted under items19 to 38 and 41 of Annex I,and subsequently drawn out lengthwise;
(4)Whereas provision should also be made in respect of certain
productswhich are not made exclus ively of textile materialsbut
have a textile content which constitutes an essential part of theproduct or to which attention iss pecifically drawn by theproducer, processor or trader; whereas in item 30 in Annex IIthere is no need to distinguish between the different types ofpolyamide or nylon, the agreed allowancesfor which are there-
fore to be brought into line;
(5)Whereas the tolerance in respect of ‘other fibres’, which has
already been laid down for pure products, is also to be appliedto mixtures;
(6)Whereas, in order to attain the objective underlying national
provisions in this field, labelling should be compulsory;
(7)Whereas, in cases where it is technically difficult to specify the
composition of a product at the time of manufacture, any fibresknown at that time may be stated on the label provided that theyaccount for a certain percentage of the finished product;1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 2
(1) OJ No C 96, 6. 4. 1994, p. 1.
(2) OJ No C 195, 18. 7. 1994, p. 9.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 15 February 1995, (OJ No C 56, 6.
3. 1995, p. 53) Council common position of 26 February 1996 (OJ No C196, 6. 7. 1996, p. 1), Decision of the European Parliament of 18 June
1996 (OJ No C 198, 8. 7. 1996, p. 25) and Council Decision of 7 October
1996.
(
4) OJ No L 185, 16. 8. 1971, p. 16. Directive aslas t amended by Directive 87/
140/EEC, (OJ No L 56, 26. 2. 1987, p. 24).
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(8)Whereasit isexpedient, in order to avoid the differencesof
application that have become apparent in thisconnection in the
Community, to specify the exact methods of labelling certaintextile products consisting of two or more components, and alsothe componentsof textile productsthat need not be taken intoaccount for purposes of labelling and analysis;
(9)Whereastextile productss ubject only to the requirementsofinclusive labelling, and those sold by the metre or in cut lengths,are to be offered for sale in such a way that the consumer canfully acquaint himself with the particulars affixed to the overallpackaging or the roll; whereasit isfor the Member Statesto
decide on the measures to be adopted for this purpose;
(10)Whereas the use of descriptions or names which enjoy particular
prestige among users and consumers should be made subject tocertain conditions;
(11)Whereas it was necessary to lay down methods for the samplingand analysis of textiles in order to exclude any possibility ofobjectionsto the methodsus ed; whereashowever, the provi-sional retention of the national methods currently in force does
not prevent the application of uniform rules;
(12)WhereasAnnex II to thisDirective which s etsout the agreed
allowancesto be applied to the anhydrousmas sof each fibreduring the determination by analysis of the fibre content of
textile products, gives, in items 1, 2 and 3, two different agreed
allowancesfor calculating the compos ition of carded or combedfibrescontaining wool and/or animal hair; whereaslaboratoriescannot alwaystell whether a product iscarded or combed, andconsequently inconsistent results can arise from the application
of thisprovis ion during checkson the conformity of textile
productscarried out in the Community; whereaslaboratoriesshould therefore be authorized to apply a single agreed allow-ance in doubtful cases;
(13)Whereas it is not advisable in a separate Directive on textileproducts, to harmonize all the provisions applicable to suchproducts;
(14)Whereas, Annexes III and IV, because of the exceptional nature
of the items referred to therein, should also cover other products
exempt from labelling, in particular ‘disposable’ products orproductsfor which only inclus ive labelling isrequired;
(15)Whereas the provisions necessary for the determination and the
adaptation to technical progress of the methods of analysis are
implementing measures of a strictly technical nature; whereas itis therefore necessary to apply to those measures, and to themeasures for adapting Annexes I and II to this Directive to tech-nical progress, the committee procedure already laid down inArticle 6 of Directive 96/73/EC of the European Parliament and
of the Council of 16 December 1996 on certain methodsfor the
quantitative analysis of binary textile fibre mixtures (
1);
(16)Whereasthe provis ionslaid down in thisDirective are in accor-dance with the opinion of the Committee for Directivesrelating
to Textile Namesand Labelling;
(17)WhereasthisDirective isnot to affect the obligationsof the
Member States concerning the deadlines for transposition of theDirectivess et out in Annex V, Part B,1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 3
(1) See page 1 of thisOfficial Journal. (SIC! OJ No L 32, 3. 2. 1997, p. 1)
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HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
Textile productsmay be marketed within the Community, either before
or during their industrial processing or at any of the distribution stages,
only where such products comply with the provisions of this Directive.
Article 2
1. For the purposes of this Directive, ‘textile products’ means any
raw, semi-worked, worked, semi-manufactured, manufactured, semi-made-up or made-up products which are exclusively composed oftextile fibres, regardless of the mixing or assembly process employed.
2. For the purpose of this Directive ‘textile fibre’ means:
— a unit of matter characterized by itsflexibility, finenes sand high
ratio of length to maximum transverse dimension, which render it
suitable for textile applications,
— flexible strips or tubes, of which the apparent width does not
exceed 5 mm, including strips cut from wider strips or films,produced from the substances used for the manufacture of the fibres
listed under items 19 to 41 in Annex I and suitable for textile appli-
cations; the apparent width is the width of the strip or tube whenfolded, flattened, compressed or twisted, or the average widthwhere the width isnot uniform.
3. The following shall be treated in the same way as textile products
and shall be subject to the provisions of this Directive:
— products containing at least 80 % by weight of textile fibres,
— furniture, umbrella and sunshade coverings containing at least 80 %
by weight of textile components; similarly, the textile components
of multi-layer floor coverings, of mattresses and of camping goods,and warm linings of footwear, gloves, mittens and mitts, providedsuch parts or linings constitute at least 80 % by weight of thecomplete article,
— textilesincorporated in other productsand forming an integral part
thereof, where their composition is specified.
Article 3
1. The namesand des criptionsof fibresreferred to in Article 2 are
listed in Annex I.
2. Use of the names appearing in the table in Annex I shall be
reserved for fibres whose nature is specified under the same item ofthat table.
3. None of these names may be used for any other fibre, whether on
their own or asa root or asan adjective, in any language whats oever.
4. The word ‘silk’ may not be used to indicate the shape or parti-
cular presentation in continuous yarn of textile fibres.
Article 4
1. No textile product may be described as ‘100 %’, ‘pure’ or ‘all’
unless it is exclusively composed of the same fibre; no similar term
may be used.
2. A textile product may contain up to 2 % by weight of other
fibres, provided this quantity is justified on technical grounds and is
not added as a matter of routine. This tolerance shall be increased to5 % in the case of textile products which have undergone a cardingprocess.
Article 5
1. A wool product may be described as:
— ‘lana virgen’ or ‘lana de esquilado’,1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 4
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— ‘ren, ny uld’,
— ‘Schurwolle’,
—‘παρθένο µαλλί ’,
— ‘fleece wool’ or ‘virgin wool’,— ‘laine vierge’ or ‘laine de tonte’,— ‘lana vergine’ or ‘lana di tosa’,
— ‘scheerwol’,
— ‘lã virgem’,— ‘uusi villa’,
— ‘ren ull’,
—‘ st řižní vlna’,
— ‘uusvill’,
— ‘pirmlietojuma vilna’ or ‘cirpt āvilna’,
— ‘nat ūralioji vilna’,
— ‘él őgyapjú’,
— ‘suf ver ġni’,
—‘żywa wełna’,
— ‘runska volna’,
— ‘strižná vlna’,
only if it is composed exclusively of a fibre which has not previously
been incorporated in a finished product, which has not been subjectedto any spinning and/or felting processes other than those required in themanufacture of that product, and which hasnot been damaged by treat-ment or use.
2. By way of derogation from the provisions of paragraph 1, the
names referred to therein may be used to describe wool contained in a
fibre mixture when:
(a) all the wool contained in that mixture satisfies the requirements
defined in paragraph 1;
(b) thiswool accountsfor not les sthan 25 % of the total weight of the
mixture;
(c) in the case of a scribbled mixture, the wool is mixed with only one
other fibre.
In the case referred to in this paragraph, the full percentage composi-
tion must be given.
3. The tolerance justified on technical grounds connected with
manufacture shall be limited to 0,3% of fibrous impurities in the caseof the productsreferred to in paragraphs1 and 2, including woolproducts which have undergone a carding process.
Article 6
1. A textile product composed of two or more fibres, one of which
accounts for at least 85 % of the total weight, shall be designated:
— by the name of the latter fibre followed by itspercentage by weight,
or
— by the name of the latter fibre followed by the words‘85 %
minimum’, or
— by the full percentage composition of the product.
2. A textile product composed of two or more fibres, none of which
accountsfor asmuch as85 % of the total weight, s hall be des ignatedby the name and percentage by weight of at least the two main fibres,followed by the names of the other constituent fibres in descending1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 5
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order of weight, with or without an indication of their percentage by
weight. However:
(a) fibres which separately account for less than 10 % of the total
weight of a product may be collectively designated by the term'other fibres', followed by the total percentage by weight;
(b) where the name of a fibre which accountsfor les sthan 10 % of the
total weight of a product is specified, the full percentage composi-tion of that product shall be given.
3. Productshaving a pure cotton warp and a pure flax weft, in which
the percentage of flax accountsfor not les sthan 40 % of the totalweight of the unsized fabric may be given the name ‘cotton linenunion’ which must be accompanied by the composition specification‘pure cotton warp — pure flax weft’.
4. In the case of textile products intended for the end consumer, in
the percentage compositions specified in paragraph 1, 2, 3 and 5:
(a) a quantity of extraneousfibresof up to 2 % of the total weight of
the textile product shall be tolerated, provided that this quantity is
justified on technical grounds and is not added as a matter ofroutine; this tolerance shall be increased to 5 % in the case ofproducts which have undergone a carding process and shall bewithout prejudice to the tolerance referred to in Article 5 (3);
(b) a manufacturing tolerance of 3 % shall be permitted between the
stated fibre percentages and the percentages obtained from analysis,in relation to the total weight of fibres shown on the label; such
tolerance shall also be applied to fibres which, in accordance with
paragraph 2, are listed in descending order of weight with no indi-cation of their percentage. This tolerance shall also apply to Article5 (2) (b).
On analysis, the tolerances shall be calculated separately; the total
weight to be taken into account in calculating the tolerance referred toin (b) shall be that of the fibres of the finished product less the weightof any extraneousfibresfound when applying the tolerance referred toin (a).
The addition of the tolerancesreferred to in (a) and (b) s hall be
permitted only if any extraneous fibres found by analysis, whenapplying the tolerance referred to in (a), prove to be of the samechemical type asone or more of the fibress hown on the label.
In the case of particular products for which the manufacturing process
requirestoleranceshigher than thos e given in (a) and (b), higher toler-ancesmay be authorized when the conformity of the product ischecked pursuant to Article 13 (1) only in exceptional cases and whereadequate justification is provided by the manufacturer. Member States
shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.
5. The term ‘mixed fibres’ or the term ‘unspecified textile composi-
tion’ may be used for any product the composition of which cannoteasily be stated at the time of manufacture.
Article 7
Without prejudice to the toleranceslaid down in Article 4 (2), Article 5
(3) and Article 6 (4), visible, isolable fibres which are purely decora-tive and do not exceed 7 % of the weight of the finished product need
not be mentioned in the fibre compositions provided for in Articles 4
and 6; the same shall apply to fibres (e.g. metallic fibres) which areincorporated in order to obtain an antistatic effect and which do notexceed 2 % of the weight of the finished product. In the case of theproducts referred to in Article 6 (3), such percentages shall be calcu-lated not on the weight of the fabric but on the weight of the warp
and that of the weft separately.
Article 8
1. Textile productswithin the meaning of thisDirective s hall be
labelled or marked whenever they are put on the market for production1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 6
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or commercial purposes; this labelling or marking may be replaced or
supplemented by accompanying commercial documents when theproducts are not being offered for sale to the end consumer, or when
they are delivered in performance of an order placed by the State or
by some other legal person governed by public law or, in thoseMember Stateswhere thisconcept isunknown, by an equivalent entity.
2. (a) The names, descriptions and particulars as to textile fibre
content referred to in Articles3 to 6 and in Annex I s hall beclearly indicated in the commercial documents. This requirementshall, in particular, preclude the use of abbreviations in sales
contracts, bills and invoices; however, a mechanized processing
code may be used, provided that code is explained in the samedocument.
(b) The names, descriptions and particulars as to textile fibres
content referred to in Articles3 to 6 and in Annex I s hall beindicated in clear, legible and uniform print when textile
products are offered for sale or sold to the consumer, and in
particular in cataloguesand trade literature, on packagings , onlabelsand on markings .
Particularsand information other than thos e provided for by this
Directive shall be quite separate. This provision shall not applyto trade marksor to the name of the undertaking which may be
given immediately before or after particularsprovided for by
thisDirective.
If, however, when a textile product isoffered for s ale or iss old
to the consumer as referred to in the first subparagraph, a trademark or a name of an undertaking isindicated which contains ,
on itsown or asan adjective or asa root, one of the names
listed in Annex I or a name liable to be confused therewith, thetrade mark or the name of an undertaking must be immediatelypreceded or followed by the names, descriptions and particularsasto textile fibre content referred to in Articles3 to 6 and inAnnex I, in clear and legible print.
(c) Member Statesmay require that, when textile productsare
offered for sale or are sold to the end consumer in their territory,their national languages should also be used for the labelling andmarking required by thisArticle.
In the case of bobbins, reels, skeins, balls or any other small
quantity of sewing, mending and embroidery yarns, the option
provided for in the first subparagraph may be exercised by the
Member States only in the case of inclusive labelling on packa-ging or displays. Without prejudice to the cases referred to initem 18 of Annex IV, individual itemsmay be labelled in anyone of the Community languages.
(d) Member States may not prohibit the use of descriptions or parti-
cularsother than thos e referred to in Articles3, 4 and 5 whichrelate to characteristics of products where such descriptions orparticulars are consistent with their fair trade practices.
Article 9
1. Any textile product composed of two or more components which
have different fibre contents shall bear a label stating the fibre content
of each component. Such labelling shall not be compulsory for compo-nents representing less than 30 % of the total weight of the product,excluding main linings.
2. Where to or more textile productshave the s ame fibre content
and normally form a single unit, they need bear only one label.
3. Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 12:
(a) the fibre composition of the following corsetry articles shall be
indicated by stating the composition of the whole product or thatof the components listed below either inclusively or separately:
— for brassières: the outside and inside fabric of the cups and
back,1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 7
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— for corsets: the front, rear and side stiffening panels,
— for corselets: the outside and inside fabric of the cups, the front
and rear stiffening panels and the side panels.
The fibre composition of corsetry articles other than those listed in
the first subparagraph shall be indicated by stating the compositionof the whole product or, either inclusively or separately, thecomposition of the various components of the articles; such label-
ling shall not be compulsory for components representing less than
10 % of the total weight of the product.
The separate labelling of the various parts of the said corsetry arti-
cles shall be carried out in such a way that the end consumer can
easily understand to which part of the product the particulars on the
label refer;
(b) the fibre composition of etch-printed textiles shall be given for the
product as a whole and may be indicated by stating, separately, the
composition of the base fabric and that of the etched parts. Thesecomponentsmus t be mentioned by name;
(c) the fibre composition of embroidered textiles shall be given for the
product as a whole and may be indicated by stating, separately, the
composition of the base fabric and that of the embroidery yarn;these components must be mentioned by name; if the embroideredparts amount to less than 10 % of the surface area of the product,only the composition of the base fabric need be stated;
(d) the fibre composition of yarns consisting of a core and a cover
made up of different fibres, and offered for sale as such to theconsumer, shall be given for the product as a whole and may beindicated by stating the composition of the core and the cover sepa-
rately; these components must be mentioned by name;
(e) the fibre composition of velvet and plush textiles, or of textiles
resembling velvet or plush, shall be given for the whole product
and, where the product comprises a distinct backing and a use-
surface composed of different fibres, may be stated separately forthese two parts, which must be mentioned by name;
(f) the composition of floor coverings and carpets of which the
backing and the use-surface are composed of different fibres may
be stated for the use-surface alone, which must be mentioned byname.
Article 10
1. By way of derogation from the provisions of Articles 8 and 9:
(a) in the case of textile products listed in Annex III which are at one
of the stages referred to in Article 2 (1), Member States may not
require any labelling or marking bearing the name or composition.However, the provisions of Articles 8 and 9 shall apply where suchproductsbear a label or marking giving the name or compos ition,or a trade mark or name of an undertaking which incorporates, onitsown or asan adjective or asa root, either one of the names
listed in Annex I or a name liable to be confused therewith;
(b) where textile products listed in Annex IV are of the same type and
composition, they may be offered for sale together under an inclu-
sive label giving the composition particulars laid down by this
Directive;
(c) the composition of textile products sold by the metre need by
shown only on the length or roll offered for sale.
2. Member States shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the
productsreferred to in (b) and (c) of paragraph 1 are offered for s alein such a way that the end consumer can fully acquaint himself withthe composition of these products.
Article 11
Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that any
information supplied when textile products are placed on the market1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 8
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cannot be confused with the names and particulars laid down by this
Directive.
Article 12
For the purposes of applying Article 8 (1) and the other provisions of
thisDirective relating to the labelling of textile products , the fibrepercentagesreferred to in Articles4, 5 and 6 s hall be determinedwithout taking account of the following items:
1. for all textile products:
non-textile parts, selvedges, labels and badges, edgings and trim-
mingsnot forming an integral part of the product, buttonsand
buckles covered with textile materials, accessories, decorations,
non-elastic ribbons, elastic threads and bands added at specific andlimited points of the product and, subject to the conditions specifiedin Article 7, visible, isolable fibres which are purely decorative andantistatic fibres;
2. (a) for floor coveringsand carpets : all componentsother than the
use-surface;
(b) for upholstery fabrics: binding and filling warps and wefts which
do not form part of the use-surface;
for hangingsand curtains : binding and filling warpsand wefts
which do not form part of the right side of the fabric;
(c) for other textile products: base or underlying fabrics, stiffenings
and reinforcements, inter-linings and canvas backings, stitchingand assembly threads unless they replace the warp and/or weftof the fabric, fillingsnot having an ins ulating function and,subject to Article 9 (1), linings.
For the purposes of this provision:— the base or underlying material of textile products which
serve as a backing for the use-surface, in particular in blan-ketsand double fabrics , and the backingsof velvet or plus hfabricsand kindred productss hall not be regarded asback-ingsto be removed.
— ‘stiffenings and reinforcements’ mean the yarns or materials
added at specific and limited points of the textile products to
strengthen them or to give them stiffness or thickness.
3. fatty substances, binders, weightings, sizings and dressings, impreg-
nating products, additional dyeing and printing products and other
textile processing products. In the absence of Community provi-sions, Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensurethat these items are not present in quantities liable to mislead theconsumer.
Article 13
1. Checkson whether the compos ition of textile productsisin
conformity with the information supplied in accordance with thisDirective shall be carried out by the methods of analysis specified inthe Directivesreferred to in paragraph 2.
For this purpose, the fibre percentages in Articles 4, 5 and 6 shall be
determined by applying to the anhydrousmas sof each fibre the appro-
priate agreed allowance laid down in Annex II, after having removedthe itemsreferred to in Article 12 (1), (2) and (3).
2. Separate directives will specify the methods of sampling and
analysis to be used in Member States to determine the fibre composi-
tion of productscovered by thisDirective.
Article 14
1. No Member State may, for reasons connected with names or
composition specifications, prohibit or impede the placing on themarket of textile products which satisfy the provisions of this Directive.1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 9
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2. The provisions of this Directive shall not preclude the application
of the provisions in force in each Member State on the protection ofindustrial and commercial property, on indications of provenance,
marksof origin and the prevention of unfair competition.
Article 15
The provisions of this Directive shall not apply to textile products
which:
1. are intended for export to third countries;
2. enter Member States, under customs control, for transit purposes;
3. are imported from third countries for inward processing;
4. are contracted out to persons working in their own homes, or to
independent firmsthat make up work from materialss uppliedwithout the property therein being transferred for consideration.
Article 16
1. The additionsto Annex I and the additionsand amendmentsto
Annex II to this Directive which are necessary for adapting these
Annexes to technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with the
procedure laid down in Article 6 of Directive 96/73/EC.
2. The new method of quantitative analysis for binary and ternary
mixturesother than thos e referred to in Directive 96/73/EC andCouncil Directive 73/44/EEC of 26 February 1973 on the approxima-tion of the lawsof the Member Statesrelating to the quantitativeanalysis of ternary fibre mixtures (
1) shall also be determined by that
procedure.
3. The Committee referred to in Article 5 of Directive 96/73/EC is
called the ‘Committee for Directivesrelating to Textile NamesandLabelling’.
Article 17
Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the
main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field coveredby thisDirective.
Article 18
The Directive listed in Annex V, part A are hereby repealed, without
prejudice to the obligationsof the Member Statesconcerning the timelimits for transposition set out in Annex V, part B.
References to the repealed Directives shall be construed as references
to thisDirective and s hould be read in accordance with the correlation
table set out in Annex VI.
Article 19
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.ThisDirective s hall enter into force on the 20th day following that of
itspublication in the Official Journal of the European Communities .1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 10
(1) OJ No L 83, 30. 3. 1973, p. 1.
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ANNEX I
TABLEOFTEXTILEFIBRES
NosName Fibre des cription
1 wool (1) Fibre from sheep's or lambs' fleeces (Ovis aries)
2 alpaca, llama, camel,
kashmir, mohair, angora
vicuna, yak,
►M1guanaco ◄,
cashgora, beaver, otter,
followed or not by the
name ‘wool’ or
‘hair’ (1)hair of the following animals: alpaca, llama, camel,
kashmir goat, angora goat, angora rabbit, vicuna,
yak, guanaco, ►M1cashgora goat ◄, beaver, otter
3 animal or horsehair,
with or without an indi-
cation of the kind ofanimal (e.g. cattle hair,
common goat hair,
horsehair)hair of the variousanimalsnot mentioned under 1 or
2
4 silk fibre obtained exclusively from silk-secreting insects
5 cotton fibre obtained from the bollsof the cotton plant
(Gossypium)
6 kapok fibre obtained from the inside of the kapok fruit
(Ceiba pentandra)
7 flax fibre obtained from the bast of the flax plant (Linum
usitatissimum)
8 true hemp fibre obtained from the bast of hemp (Cannabis
sativa)
9 jute fibre obtained from the bast of Corchorus olitorius
andCorchorus capsularis . For the purposes of this
Directive, bast fibres obtained from the following
species shall be treated in the same way as jute:
Hibiscus cannabinus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Abultilon
avicennae, Urena lobata, Urena sinuata
10 abaca (Manila hemp) fibre obtained from the sheathing leaf of Musa textilis
11 alfa fibre obtained from the leavesof Stipa tenacissima
12 coir (coconut) fibre obtained from the fruit of Cocos nucifera
13 broom fibre obtained from the bast of Cytisus scopatrius and/
orSpartium Junceum
14 ramie fibre obtained from the bast of Boehmeria nivea and
Boehmeria tenacissima
15 sisal fibre obtained from the leaves of agave sisalana
16 Sunn fibre from the bast of Crotalaria juncea
17 Henequen fibre from the bast of Agave Fourcroydes
18 Maguey fibre from the bast of Agave Cantala
19 acetate cellulose acetate fibre wherein less than 92 % but at
least 74 % of the hydroxyl groups are acetylated
20 alginate fibre obtained from metallic salts of alginic acid1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 11
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NosName Fibre des cription
21 cupro (cuprammonium
rayon)regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by the cupram-
monium process
22 modal ►M1a regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by a
modified viscose process having a high breaking
force and high wet modulus. The breaking force (BC)
in the conditioned state and the force (BM) required to
produce an elongation of 5 % in the wet state are: ◄
►M1BCCNðÞ >1;3ﬃﬃﬃ
Tp
þ2T◄
►M1BMCNðÞ >0;5ﬃﬃﬃ
Tp
◄
►M1where T isthe mean linear dens ity in
decitex ◄
23 protein (1) fibre obtained from natural protein substances regen-
erated and stabilized through the action of chemical
agents
24 triacetate cellulose acetate fibre wherein at least 92 % of the
hydroxyl groupsare acetylated
25 viscose regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by the viscose
process for filament and discontinuous fibre
26 acrylic (1) fibre formed of linear macromoleculescompris ing at
least 85 % (by mass) in the chain of the acrylonitrilic
pattern
27 chlorofibre fibre formed of linear macromoleculeshaving in their
chain more than 50 % by mass of chlorinated vinyl or
chlorinated vinylidene monomeric units
28 fluorofibre fibre formed of linear macromoleculesmade from
fluorocarbon aliphatic monomers
29 modacrylic (2) fibre formed of linear macromoleculeshaving in the
chain more than 50 % and less than 85 % (by mass)
of the acrylonitrilic pattern
30 ►M1polyamide or
nylon (2)◄►M1fibre formed from synthetic linear macromole-
culeshaving in the chain recurring amide linkagesof
which at least 85 % are joined to aliphatic or cycloa-
liphatic units ◄
31 aramid fibre formed from synthetic linear macromolecules
made up of aromatic groupsjoined by amide or imide
linkages, of which at least 85 % are joined directly to
two aromatic ringsand with the number of imide
linkages, if the latter are present, not exceeding the
number of amide linkages
32 polyimide fibre formed from synthetic linear macromolecules
having in the chain recurring imide units
33 lyocell (*) a regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by dissolution,
and an organic solvent spinning process, without
formation of derivatives
33a polylactide Fibre formed of linear macromoleculeshaving in the
chain at least 85% (by mass) of lactic acid ester units
derived from naturally occurring sugars, and which
hasa melting temperature of at leas t 135 ºC
►M134◄polyester fibre formed of linear macromolecules comprising at
least 85 % (by mass) in the chain of an ester of a
diol and terephthalic acid1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 12
▼M1
▼M2
▼B
▼B
NosName Fibre des cription
►M135◄polyethylene (2) fibre formed of un-substituted aliphatic saturated
hydrocarbon linear macromolecules
►M136◄polypropylene (2) fibre formed of an aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon
linear macromolecule where one carbon atom in two
carries a methyl side chain in an isotactic disposition
and without further substitution
►M137◄polycarbamide (2) fibre formed of linear macromoleculeshaving in the
chain the recurring ureylene (NH—CO—NH) func-
tional group
►M138◄polyurethane (2) fibre formed of linear macromoleculescompos ed of
chainswith the recurring urethane functional group
►M139◄vinylal fibre formed of linear macromoleculeswhos e chain is
constituted by poly(vinyl alcohol) with differing
levelsof acetalization
►M140◄trivinyl (2) fibre formed of acrylonitrile terpolymer, a chlorinated
vinyl monomer and a third vinyl monomer, none of
which repres entsasmuch as50 % of the total mas s
►M141◄elastodiene (2) elastofibre composed of natural or synthetic polyiso-
prene, or composed of one or more dienes polymer-
ized with or without one or more vinyl monomers,
and which, when stretched to three times its original
length and released, recovers rapidly and substantially
to itsinitial length
►M142◄elastane elastofibre composed of at least 85 % (by mass) of a
segmented polyurethane, and which, when stretched
to three timesitsoriginal length and releas ed,
recovers rapidly and substantially to its initial length
►M143◄glass fibre fibre made of glass
►M144◄name corresponding to
the material of which
the fibresare
composed, e.g. metal
(metallic, metallized),
asbestos, paper,
followed or not by the
word ‘yarn’ or ‘fibre’fibresobtained from mis cellaneousor new materials
not listed above
(1) The name ‘wool’ in item 1 of this Annex may also be used to indicate a mixture of fibres from sheep's or lambs'
fleecesand the hairslis ted in the third column of item 2.
This provision is applicable to the textile products listed in Articles 4 and 5 and to those referred to in Article 6,
provided that the latter are partly composed of the fibres listed in items 1 and 2.
(2) The world ‘fibre’ isunders tood.
(*) ‘It is understood that an “organic solvent” means essentially a mixture of organic chemicals and water’1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 13
▼M1
▼B
ANNEX II
AGREED ALLOWANCES USED TO CALCULATE THE MASS OF
FIBRESCONTAINEDINATEXTILEPRODUCT
Fibre No FibresPercentages
1—2 Wool and animal hair:
combed fibres18,25
carded fibres17,00 (1)
3 Animal hair:
combed fibres18,25
carded fibres17,00 (1)
Horsehair:
combed fibres16,00
carded fibres15,00
4 Silk 11,005 Cotton:
normal fibres8,50
mercerized fibres10,50
6 Kapok 10,90
7 Flax 12,00
8 True hemp 12,009 Jute 17,00
10 Abaca 14,0011 Alfa 14,00
12 Coir 13,00
13 Broom 14,0014 Ramie (bleached fibre) 8,5015 Sisal 14,00
16 Sunn 12,00
17 Henequen 14,0018 Maguey 14,0019 Acetate 9,00
20 Alginate 20,00
21 Cupro 13,0022 Modal 13,0023 Protein 17,00
24 Triacetate 7,00
25 Viscose 13,0026 Acrylic 2,0027 Chlorofibre 2,0028 Fluorofibre 0,00
29 Modacrylic 2,00
30 Polyamide or nylon:
discontinous fibre 6,25
filament 5,751996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 14
▼B
Fibre No FibresPercentages
31 Aramid 8,00
32 Polyimide 3,50
33 Lyocell 13,00
33a Polylactide 1,50
►M134◄Polyester:
discontinous fibre 1,50
filament 1,50
►M135◄Polyethylene 1,50
►M136◄Polypropylene 2,00
►M137◄Polycarbamide 2,00
►M138◄Polyurethane
discontinuous fibre 3,50
filament 3,00
►M139◄Vinylal 5,00
►M140◄Trivinyl 3,00
►M141◄Elastodiene 1,00
►M142◄Elastane 1,50
►M143◄Glass fibre:
with an average diameter of over 5 µm 2,00
with an average diameter of 5 µmo r
less3,00
►M144◄Metal fibre 2,00
Metallized fibre 2,00
Asbestos 2,00
Paper yarn 13,75
(1) The agreed allowances of 17,00 % shall also be applied where it is impossible to ascer-
tain whether the textile product containing wool and/or animal hair iscombed orcarded.1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 15
▼M1
▼M2
▼B
▼B
ANNEX III
PRODUCTSWHICHCANNOTBEMADESUBJECTTOMANDATORY
LABELLINGORMARKING
(Article 10 (1) (a))
1. Sleeve-supporting armbands
2. Watch straps of textile materials
3. Labelsand badges4. Stuffed pan-holdersof textile materials
5. Coffee cosy covers
6. Tea cosy covers7. Sleeve protectors
8. Muffsother than in pile fabric
9. Artificial flowers
10. Pin cushions
11. Painted canvas
12. Textile products for base and underlying fabrics and stiffenings13. Felts
14. Old made-up textile products, where explicitly stated to be such
15. Gaiters16. Packagings, not new and sold as such
17. Felt hats
18. Containers which are soft and without foundation, saddlery, of textile mate-
rials
19. Travel goodsof textile materials
20. Hand-embroidered tapestries, finished or unfinished, and materials for their
production, including embroidery yarns, sold separately from the canvas and
specially presented for use in such tapestries
21. Slide fasteners
22. Buttonsand bucklescovered with textile materials
23. Book coversof textile materials24. Toys
25. Textile partsof footwear, excepting warm linings
26. Table mats having several components and a surface area of not more than
500 cm
2
27. Oven glovesand cloths
28. Egg cosies
29. Make-up cases
30. Tobacco pouchesof textile fabric31. Spectacle, cigarette and cigar, lighter and comb cases of textile fabric
32. Protective requisites for sports with the exception of gloves
33. Toilet cases34. Shoe-cleaning cases
35. Funeral items
36. Disposable articles, with the exception of wadding
For the purposes of this Directive, textile articles designed to be used once
only or for a limited time, and the normal use of which precludes any
restoring for subsequent use for the same or a similar purpose, are to be
regarded as disposable
37. Textile articless ubject to the rulesof the European Pharmacopoeia and
covered by a reference to those rules, non-disposable bandages for medical
and orthopaedic use and orthopaedic textile articles in general
38. Textile articles including cordage, ropes and string, subject to item 12 of
Annex IV, normally intended:
(a) for use as equipment components in the manufacture and processing of
goods;1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 16
▼B
(b) for incorporation in machines, installations (e.g. for heating, air condi-
tioning or lighting), domestic and other appliances, vehicles and other
meansof trans port, or for their operation, maintenance or equipment,
other than tarpaulin covers and textile motor vehicle accessories sold
separately from the vehicle
39. Textile articles for protection and safety purposes such as safety belts, para-
chutes, life-jackets, emergency chutes, fire-fighting devices, bulletproof
waistcoats and special protective garments (e.g. protection against fire,
chemical substances or other safety hazards)
40. Air-supported structures (e.g. sports halls, exhibition stands or storage facil-
ities), provided that particulars of the performances and technical
specifications of these articles are supplied
41. Sails42. Animal clothing
43. Flagsand banners1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 17
▼B
ANNEX IV
PRODUCTS FOR WHICH ONLY INCLUSIVE LABELLING OR
MARKINGISOBLIGATORY
(Article 10 (1) (b))
1. Floorcloths
2. Cleaning cloths3. Edgingsand trimmings
4. Passementerie
5. Belts6. Braces7. Suspenders and garters
8. Shoe and boot laces
9. Ribbons
10. Elastic
11. New packaging sold as such
12. Packing string and agricultural twine; string, cordage and ropes other than
those falling within item 38 of Annex III (
1).
13. Table mats
14. Handkerchiefs15. Bun netsand hair nets
16. Tiesand bow tiesfor children
17. Bibs; washgloves and face flannels18. Sewing, mending and embroidery yarns presented for retail sale in small
quantitieswith a net weight of 1 gram or les s
19. Tape for curtainsand blindsand s hutters1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 18
(1) For the products falling within this item and sold in cut lengths, the inclusive labelling
shall be that of the reel. The cordage and ropes falling within this item include those
used in mountaineering and water sports.
▼B
ANNEX V
PART A
REPEALEDDIRECTIVES
(referred to in Article 18)
— Council Directive 71/307/EEC (OJ No L 185, 16. 8. 1971, p. 16), and its
successive amendments:
— Council Directive 75/36/EEC (OJ No L 14, 20. 1. 1975, p. 15)
— Council Directive 83/623/EEC (OJ No L 353, 15. 12. 1983, p. 8).— Commission Directive 87/140/EEC (OJ No L 56, 26. 2. 1987, p. 24).
PART B
TIMELIMITSFORTRANSPOSITION
DirectiveTime limits
To permit trade in those
productswhich comply with
thisDirectiveTo prohibit trade in those
productswhich do not comply
with thisDirective
71/307/EEC 29 January 1973 29 January 1975
75/36/EEC
83/623/EEC 29 November 1985 29 May 198787/140/EEC 1 September 19881996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 19
▼B
ANNEX VI
CORRELATIONTABLE (SIC!)
Thisdirective Directive 71/307/EEC
Article 1 Article 1
Article 2 Article 2
Article 3 Article 3
Article 4 Article 4Article 5 Article 5
Article 6 Article 6
Article 7 Article 7
Article 8 Article 8
Article 9 Article 9
Article 10 Article 10
Article 11 Article 11
Article 12 Article 12
Article 13 Article 13
Article 14 Article 14
Article 15 Article 15
Article 16 Article 15 (a)
Article 17 Article 16 (3)
Article 18 —
Article 19 Article 17
Annex I, No 1 Annex I, No 1
Annex I, No 2 Annex I, No 2Annex I, No 3 Annex I, No 3
Annex I, No 4 Annex I, No 4
Annex I, No 5 Annex I, No 5
Annex I, No 6 Annex I, No 6
Annex I, No 7 Annex I, No 7
Annex I, No 8 Annex I, No 8
Annex I, No 9 Annex I, No 9
Annex I, No 10 Annex I, No 10
Annex I, No 11 Annex I, No 11
Annex I, No 12 Annex I, No 12
Annex I, No 13 Annex I, No 13
Annex I, No 14 Annex I, No 15
Annex I, No 15 Annex I, No 16
Annex I, No 16 Annex I, No 16 (a)
Annex I, No 17 Annex I, No 16 (b)Annex I, No 18 Annex I, No 16 (c)
Annex I, No 19 Annex I, No 17
Annex I, No 20 Annex I, No 18
Annex I, No 21 Annex I, No 19
Annex I, No 22 Annex I, No 20
Annex I, No 23 Annex I, No 21
Annex I, No 24 Annex I, No 22
Annex I, No 25 Annex I, No 23
Annex I, No 26 Annex I, No 24
Annex I, No 27 Annex I, No 25
Annex I, No 28 Annex I, No 26
Annex I, No 29 Annex I, No 27
Annex I, No 30 Annex I, No 28
Annex I, No 31 Annex I, No 29
Annex I, No 32 Annex I, No 30
Annex I, No 33 Annex I, No 31
Annex I, No 34 Annex I, No 32Annex I, No 35 Annex I, No 33
Annex I, No 36 Annex I, No 34
Annex I, No 37 Annex I, No 35
Annex I, No 38 Annex I, No 361996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 20
▼B
Thisdirective Directive 71/307/EEC
Annex I, No 39 Annex I, No 37
Annex I, No 40 Annex I, No 38
Annex I, No 41 Annex I, No 39
Annex II, Nos1-2 Annex II, Nos1-2
Annex II, No 3 Annex II, No 3
Annex II, No 4 Annex II, No 4Annex II, No 5 Annex II, No 5
Annex II, No 6 Annex II, No 6
Annex II, No 7 Annex II, No 7
Annex II, No 8 Annex II, No 8
Annex II, No 9 Annex II, No 9
Annex II, No 10 Annex II, No 10
Annex II, No 11 Annex II, No 11Annex II, No 12 Annex II, No 12
Annex II, No 13 Annex II, No 13
Annex II, No 14 Annex II, No 15
Annex II, No 15 Annex II, No 16
Annex II, No 16 Annex II, No 16 (a)Annex II, No 17 Annex II, No 16 (b)
Annex II, No 18 Annex II, No 16 (c)
Annex II, No 19 Annex II, No 17
Annex II, No 20 Annex II, No 18
Annex II, No 21 Annex II, No 19
Annex II, No 22 Annex II, No 20
Annex II, No 23 Annex II, No 21Annex II, No 24 Annex II, No 22
Annex II, No 25 Annex II, No 23
Annex II, No 26 Annex II, No 24
Annex II, No 27 Annex II, No 25
Annex II, No 28 Annex II, No 26Annex II, No 29 Annex II, No 27
Annex II, No 30 Annex II, No 28
Annex II, No 31 Annex II, No 29
Annex II, No 32 Annex II, No 30
Annex II, No 33 Annex II, No 31Annex II, No 34 Annex II, No 32
Annex II, No 35 Annex II, No 33
Annex II, No 36 Annex II, No 34
Annex II, No 37 Annex II, No 35
Annex II, No 38 Annex II, No 36
Annex II, No 39 Annex II, No 37
Annex II, No 40 Annex II, No 38Annex II, No 41 Annex II, No 39
Annex III, No 1 Annex III, No 1
Annex III, No 2 Annex III, No 2
Annex III, No 3 Annex III, No 3
Annex III, No 4 Annex III, No 4Annex III, No 5 Annex III, No 5
Annex III, No 6 Annex III, No 6
Annex III, No 7 Annex III, No 7
Annex III, No 8 Annex III, No 8
Annex III, No 9 Annex III, No 9
Annex III, No 10 Annex III, No 10
Annex III, No 11 Annex III, No 11Annex III, No 12 Annex III, No 12
Annex III, No 13 Annex III, No 13
Annex III, No 14 Annex III, No 14
Annex III, No 15 Annex III, No 15
Annex III, No 16 Annex III, No 17Annex III, No 17 Annex III, No 18
Annex III, No 18 Annex III, No 191996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 21
▼B
Thisdirective Directive 71/307/EEC
Annex III, No 19 Annex III, No 20
Annex III, No 20 Annex III, No 21Annex III, No 21 Annex III, No 22Annex III, No 22 Annex III, No 23Annex III, No 23 Annex III, No 24Annex III, No 24 Annex III, No 25Annex III, No 25 Annex III, No 26Annex III, No 26 Annex III, No 27Annex III, No 27 Annex III, No 28
Annex III, No 28 Annex III, No 29
Annex III, No 29 Annex III, No 30Annex III, No 30 Annex III, No 31Annex III, No 31 Annex III, No 32Annex III, No 32 Annex III, No 33Annex III, No 33 Annex III, No 34Annex III, No 34 Annex III, No 35Annex III, No 35 Annex III, No 36Annex III, No 36 Annex III, No 37
Annex III, No 37 Annex III, No 38
Annex III, No 38 Annex III, No 39Annex III, No 39 Annex III, No 40Annex III, No 40 Annex III, No 41Annex III, No 41 Annex III, No 42Annex III, No 42 Annex III, No 43Annex III, No 43 Annex III, No 44Annex IV Annex IVAnnex V —Annex VI —1996L0074 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 002.002 — 22