Directive 2008/121/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 January 2009 on textile names (recast) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2009-01-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: approximation of laws, consumer information, labelling, market approval, product designation, single market, textile fibre

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DIRECTIVES

DIRECTIVE 2008/121/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 14 January 2009

on textile names (recast)

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

accompany textile products at the various stages of their
production, processing and distribution.

Having regard to the Treaty
Community, and in particular Article 95 thereof,

establishing the European

(4)

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
Social Committee (1),

Acting in accordance with the procedure
Article 251 of the Treaty (2),

laid down in

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Directive 96/74/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 16 December 1996 on textile names (3)
has been substantially amended several times (4). Since
further amendments are to be made,
should be
recast in the interests of clarity.

it

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, this
would create hindrances to the proper functioning of
the internal market.

Those hindrances can be eliminated if the placing of
is
textile products on the market at Community level
subject
is therefore necessary to
It
harmonise the names of textile fibres and the particulars
appearing on labels, markings and documents which

to uniform rules.

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

Provision should also be made in respect of certain
textile
products which are not made exclusively of
materials but have a textile content which constitutes
an essential part of the product or to which attention
is specifically drawn by the producer, processor or trader.

‘other fibres’, which has
The tolerance in respect of
already been laid down for pure products, should also
be applied to mixtures.

In order
to attain the objective underlying national
provisions in this field, labelling should be compulsory.

In cases where it is technically difficult to specify the
composition of a product at the time of manufacture,
any fibres known at that time may be stated on the
label provided that they account for a certain percentage
of the finished product.

It is expedient,
in order to avoid differences of appli­
cation in the Community, to specify the exact methods
of labelling certain textile products consisting of two or
more components, and also the components of textile
products
for
purposes of labelling and analysis.

that need not be taken into account

Textile products subject only to the requirements of
inclusive labelling, and those sold by the metre or in
cut lengths, should be offered for sale in such a way
that the consumer can fully acquaint himself with the
particulars affixed to the overall packaging or the roll.
It is for the Member States to decide on the measures to
be adopted for this purpose.

(1) OJ C 162, 25.6.2008, p. 40.
(2) Opinion of the European Parliament of 17 June 2008 (not yet
and Council Decision of

Journal)

published in the Official
16 December 2008.
(3) OJ L 32, 3.2.1997, p. 38.
(4) See Annex VI, Part A.

(10)

The use of descriptions or names which enjoy particular
prestige among users and consumers should be made
subject to certain conditions.

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(11)

It is necessary to lay down methods for the sampling and
analysis of textiles in order to exclude any possibility of
objections to the methods used. However, the provisional
retention of the national methods currently in force does
not prevent the application of uniform rules.

(12) Annex V, which sets out the agreed allowances to be
applied to the anhydrous mass of each fibre during the
determination by analysis of the fibre content of textile
products, gives, in items 1, 2 and 3, two different agreed
allowances for calculating the composition of carded or
combed fibres containing wool and/or animal hair.
is
Laboratories cannot always tell whether a product
carded or
inconsistent
results can arise from the application of this provision
textile products
during checks on the conformity of
should
carried out
agreed
therefore be
allowance in doubtful cases.

in the Community. Laboratories
single

authorised to apply a

and consequently

combed,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

1.
Textile products may 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
this Directive.

2.

This Directive shall not apply to textile products which:

(a) are intended for export to third countries;

(b) enter Member States, under customs control,

for transit

purposes;

(13)

is not advisable,

in a separate Directive on textile
It
products, to harmonise all the provisions applicable to
such products.

(c) are imported from third countries for inward processing;

(14) 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 or products for which only inclusive labelling is
required.

(15)

(16)

(17)

(18)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council
Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the
procedures for
implementing powers
the exercise of
conferred on the Commission (1).

In particular, the Commission should be empowered to
adapt Annexes I and V to technical progress and to
adopt new methods of quantitative analysis for binary
and ternary mixtures. Since those measures are of
general scope and are designed to amend non-essential
elements of this Directive, inter alia, by supplementing it,
they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory
procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of
Decision 1999/468/EC.

The new elements introduced into this Directive only
concern the committee procedure. They therefore do
not need to be transposed by the Member States.

This Directive should be without prejudice to the obli­
gations of the Member States relating to the time limits
for transposition into national law of the Directives set
out in Annex VI, Part B,

(1) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

(d) are contracted out to persons working in their own homes,
or to independent firms that make up work from materials
supplied without the property therein being transferred for
consideration.

Article 2

For the purposes of

1.
nitions shall apply:

this Directive,

the following defi­

(a)

‘textile products’ means any raw, semi-worked, worked,
semi-manufactured, manufactured, semi-made-up or made-
textile
up products which are exclusively composed of
fibres,
the mixing or assembly process
employed;

regardless of

(b) ‘textile fibre’ means:

(i) a unit of matter characterised by its flexibility, fineness
and high ratio of
length to maximum transverse
dimension, which render it suitable for textile appli­
cations;

including strips cut

(ii) flexible strips or tubes, of which the apparent width
does not exceed 5 mm,
from
wider strips or films, produced from the substances
the fibres listed under
used for the manufacture of
items 19 to 47 in Annex I and suitable for textile
applications; the apparent width is the width of the
strip or tube when folded,
flattened, compressed or
twisted, or the average width where the width is not
uniform.

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The following shall be treated in the same way as textile

2.
products and shall be subject to this Directive:

By way of derogation from paragraph 1,

the names
2.
referred to in Annex II may be used to describe wool
contained in a fibre mixture when:

(a) products containing at least 80 % by weight of textile fibres;

components of multi-layer

(b) furniture, umbrella and sunshade coverings containing at
least 80 % by weight of textile components; similarly, the
textile
coverings, of
mattresses and of camping goods, and warm linings of
footwear, gloves, mittens and mitts, provided such parts
or
the
complete article;

least 80 % by weight of

linings constitute at

floor

(a) all

the wool

contained in that mixture

satisfies

the

requirements laid down in paragraph 1;

(b) this wool accounts for not less than 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.

(c)

textiles incorporated in other products and forming an
integral part thereof, where their composition is specified.

In the case referred to in this paragraph, the full percentage
composition must be given.

Article 3

The names and descriptions of

1.
Article 2 are listed in Annex I.

fibres referred to in

Use of the names appearing in the table in Annex I shall
2.
be reserved for fibres the nature of which is specified under the
same item of that table.

3.
None of those names may be used for any other fibre,
whether on their own or as an adjective or as a root, in any
language whatsoever.

The word ‘silk’ may not be used to indicate the shape or

4.
particular presentation in continuous yarn of textile fibres.

Article 4

No textile product may be described as ‘100 %’, ‘pure’ or
1.
‘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
routine. This
grounds and is not added as a matter of
tolerance shall be increased to 5 % in the case of
textile
products which have undergone a carding process.

3.
The tolerance justified on technical grounds connected
with manufacture shall be limited to 0,3 % of fibrous impurities
in the case of the products referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2,
including wool products 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 one of the following:

(a) by the name of the latter fibre followed by its percentage by

weight;

(b) by the name of the latter fibre followed by the words ‘85 %

minimum’; or

(c) by the full percentage composition of the product.

2.
A textile product composed of two or more fibres, none
of which accounts for as much as 85 % of the total weight, shall
be designated by the name and percentage by weight of at least
followed by the names of
the two main fibres,
the other
constituent
fibres in descending order of weight, with or
without an indication of their percentage by weight. However:

Article 5

1.
A wool product may be described with one of the names
referred to in Annex II, provided that it is composed exclusively
of a fibre which has not previously been incorporated in a
finished product, which has not been subjected to any
spinning and/or felting processes other than those required in
the manufacture of
that product, and which has not been
damaged by treatment or use.

(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 accounts for less than
10 % of the total weight of a product is specified, the full
percentage composition of that product shall be given.

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Products having a pure cotton warp and a pure flax weft,
3.
in which the percentage of flax accounts for not less than 40 %
of the total weight of the unsized fabric may be given the name
‘cotton linen union’ which must be accompanied by the compo­
sition specification ‘pure cotton warp — pure flax weft’.

The term ‘mixed fibres’ or the term ‘unspecified textile
4.
composition’ may be used for any product the composition
of which cannot easily be stated at the time of manufacture.

Article 7

Without prejudice to the tolerances laid down in Article 4(2),
Article 5(3) and Article 6(5), visible, isolable fibres which are
purely decorative and do not exceed 7 % of the weight of the
finished product need not be mentioned in the fibre compo­
sitions provided for in Articles 4 and 6. The same shall apply to
fibres, such as metallic fibres, which are incorporated in order
to obtain an antistatic effect and which do not exceed 2 % of
the weight of the finished product. In the case of the products
referred to in Article 6(3), such percentages shall be calculated
not on the weight of the fabric but on the weight of the warp
and that of the weft separately.

In the case of

textile products intended for the end
in the percentage compositions specified in para­

5.
consumer,
graphs 1 to 4:

(a) a quantity of extraneous fibres of 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 of routine; this tolerance shall be
increased to 5 % in the case of products which have
undergone
and shall be without
prejudice to the tolerance referred to in Article 5(3);

carding process

a

(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 indication
of their percentage. This tolerance shall also apply for the
purpose of Article 5(2)(b).

to be taken into account

On analysis, the tolerances shall be calculated separately. The
total weight
in calculating the
tolerance referred to in point (b) shall be that of the fibres of
the finished product less the weight of any extraneous fibres
found when applying the tolerance referred to in point (a).

The addition of the tolerances referred to in points (a) and (b)
shall be permitted only if any extraneous fibres found by
analysis, when applying the tolerance referred to in point (a),
prove to be of the same chemical type as one or more of the
fibres shown on the label.

In the case of particular products for which the manufacturing
process requires tolerances higher than those given in points (a)
tolerances may be authorised when the
and (b), higher
conformity
to
the
of
Article 13(1) only in exceptional cases and where adequate
justification is provided by the manufacturer. Member States
shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.

pursuant

checked

product

is

Article 8

1.
Textile products within the meaning of this Directive shall
be labelled or marked whenever they are put on the market for
production or commercial purposes. This labelling or marking
may be replaced or supplemented by accompanying commercial
documents when the products 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 those Member States where this
concept is unknown, by an equivalent entity.

2.
The names, descriptions and particulars as to textile fibre
content referred to in Articles 3 to 6 and in Annexes I and II
shall be clearly indicated in the commercial documents. This
in particular, preclude the use of abbre­
requirement shall,
viations in sales contracts, bills and invoices. However, a
mechanised processing code may be used, provided that code
is explained in the same document.

3.
The names, descriptions and particulars as to textile fibre
content referred to in Articles 3 to 6 and in Annexes I and II
legible and uniform print when
shall be indicated in clear,
textile products are offered for sale or sold to the consumer,
and in particular
literature, on
packagings, on labels and on markings.

in catalogues and trade

Particulars and information other than those provided for by
this Directive shall be separate. This provision shall not apply to
trade marks or to the name of the undertaking which may be
given immediately before or after particulars provided for by
this Directive.

If, however, when a textile product is offered for sale or is sold
to the consumer as referred to in the first subparagraph, a trade
mark or a name of an undertaking is indicated which contains,
on its own or as an adjective or as a root, one of the names
listed in Annex I or a name liable to be confused therewith, the
trade mark or the name of an undertaking must be immediately
preceded or followed by the names, descriptions and particulars
as to textile fibre content referred to in Articles 3 to 6 and in
Annexes I and II in clear, legible and uniform print.

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4. Member States may require that, when textile products are
offered for sale or are sold to the end consumer in their
territory, their national languages should also be used for the
labelling and marking required by this Article.

the said
The separate labelling of
corsetry articles 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;

the various parts of

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
inclusive labelling on
Member States only in the case of
packaging or displays. Without prejudice to the cases referred
to in item 18 of Annex IV, individual items may be labelled in
any of the Community languages.

5. Member States may not prohibit the use of descriptions or
particulars other than those referred to in Articles 3, 4 and 5
which relate
such
descriptions or particulars are consistent with their fair trade
practices.

to characteristics of products where

Article 9

Any

composed of

textile product

1.
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 components representing
less than 30 % of the total weight of the product, excluding
main linings.

2. Where two or more textile products have the same fibre
content and normally form a single unit, they need bear only
one label.

3. Without prejudice to Article 12:

(a)

the fibre composition of the following corsetry articles shall
the whole
be indicated by stating the composition of
product or that of the components listed below either inclu­
sively or separately:

(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. These components must 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 embroidered parts 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 the consumer, shall be given for the product as a
whole and may be indicated by stating the composition of
the core and the cover separately; 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 for these 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 by name.

(i) for brassières: the outside and inside fabric of the cups

and back;

1.

By way of derogation from Articles 8 and 9:

Article 10

(ii) for corsets: the front, rear and side stiffening panels;

(iii) 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 composition of the whole product or, either inclusively
or separately, the composition of the various components of
the articles; such labelling shall not be compulsory for
components
the total
weight of the product.

representing less

than 10 % of

(a)

in the case of textile products listed in Annex III which are
at one of the stages referred to in Article 2(1), point (a),
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 such products bear a
label or marking giving the name or composition, or a trade
mark or name of an undertaking which incorporates, on its
own or as an adjective or as a 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 inclusive label giving the composition particulars
laid down by this Directive;

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(c)

the composition of textile products sold by the metre needs
to be shown only on the length or roll offered for sale.

2. Member States shall take all necessary steps to ensure that
the products referred to in points (b) and (c) of paragraph 1 are
offered for sale in such a way that the end consumer can fully
acquaint himself with the composition of those products.

Article 11

Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that
any information supplied when textile products are placed on
the market 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 this Directive relating to the labelling of textile
products, the fibre percentages referred to in Articles 4, 5 and 6
shall be determined without taking account of the following
items:

(a)

for all textile products: non-textile parts, selvedges,
labels
forming an
edgings and trimmings not
and badges,
integral part of the product, buttons and buckles covered
with textile materials, accessories, decorations, non-elastic
ribbons, elastic threads and bands added at specific and
limited points of the product and, subject to the conditions
specified in Article 7, visible, isolable fibres which are purely
decorative and antistatic fibres;

(b) for floor coverings and carpets: all components other than

the use-surface;

(c)

for upholstery fabrics: binding and filling warps and wefts
which do not form part of the use-surface;

(d) for hangings and curtains: binding and filling warps and
wefts which do not form part of the right side of the fabric;

(e)

and

reinforcements,

for other textile products: base or underlying fabrics, stif­
canvas
fenings
backings,
they
replace the warp and/or weft of
fillings not
having an insulating function and, subject to Article 9(1),
linings.

stitching and assembly threads unless

inter-linings

the fabric,

and

For the purposes of this point:

(i) the base or underlying material of textile products which
serve as a backing for the use-surface, in particular in
blankets and double fabrics, and the backings of velvet
or plush fabrics and kindred products shall not be
regarded as backings to be removed;

(ii) ‘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;

(f)

fatty substances, binders, weightings, sizings and dressings,
impregnating products, additional dyeing and printing
products and other
In the
absence of Community provisions, Member States shall
take all necessary measures to ensure that these items are
not present in quantities liable to mislead the consumer.

textile processing products.

Article 13

1.
Checks on whether the composition of textile products is
in conformity with the information supplied in accordance with
this Directive shall be carried out by the methods of analysis
specified in the Directives referred to in paragraph 2.

For this purpose, the fibre percentages in Articles 4, 5 and 6
shall be determined by applying to the anhydrous mass of each
fibre the appropriate agreed allowance laid down in Annex V,
after having removed the items referred to in Article 12.

2.
Separate directives shall specify the methods of sampling
and analysis to be used in Member States to determine the fibre
composition of products covered by this Directive.

Article 14

1.
No Member State may, for reasons connected with names
or composition specifications, prohibit or impede the placing
textile products which comply with the
on the market of
provisions of this Directive.

The provisions of this Directive shall not preclude the
2.
application of the provisions in force in each Member State
on the protection of industrial and commercial property, on
indications of provenance, marks of origin and the prevention
of unfair competition.

Article 15

1.
The Commission shall adopt the additions to Annex I and
the additions and amendments to Annex V which are necessary
for adapting those Annexes to technical progress.

2.
The Commission shall determine the new methods of
quantitative analysis for binary and ternary mixtures other
than those referred to in Directive 96/73/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 on certain
methods for the quantitative analysis of binary textile fibre
mixtures (1) and Council Directive 73/44/EEC of 26 February
1973 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States
relating to the quantitative analysis of ternary fibre mixtures (2).

(1) OJ L 32, 3.2.1997, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 83, 30.3.1973, p. 1.

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The measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, designed
3.
to amend non-essential elements of this Directive, inter alia, by
supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regu­
latory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 16(2).

Article 16

1.
The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee for
Directives relating to textile names and labelling set up pursuant
Directive 96/73/EC.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1)
to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply,
having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

Member States relating to the time limits for transposition into
national law of the Directives set out in Annex VI, Part B.

References to the repealed Directive shall be construed as
references to this Directive and shall be read in accordance
with the correlation table in Annex VII.

Article 19

This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 17

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Article 20

Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts
of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the
field covered by this Directive.

Done at Strasbourg, 14 January 2009.

Article 18

Directive 96/74/EC, as amended by the Acts listed in Annex VI,
Part A, is repealed, without prejudice to the obligations of the

For the European Parliament
The President

H.-G. PÖTTERING

For the Council
The President

A. VONDRA

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ANNEX I

TABLE OF TEXTILE FIBRES

(referred to in Article 3)

No

Name

Fibre description

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

wool (1)

Fibre from sheep’s or lambs’ fleeces (Ovis aries)

alpaca,
llama, camel, kashmir, mohair,
angora, vicuña, yak, guanaco, cashgora,
followed or not by the
beaver, otter,
name ‘wool’ or ‘hair’ (1)

hair of the following animals: alpaca,
llama, camel, kashmir goat,
angora goat, angora rabbit, vicuna, yak, guanaco, cashgora goat (a
cross between the kashmir goat and the angora goat), beaver, otter

animal or horsehair, with or without an
(e.g.
indication of the kind of animal
hair,
cattle
horsehair)

common

hair,

goat

silk

cotton

kapok

flax

true hemp

jute

hair of the various animals not mentioned under 1 or 2

fibre obtained exclusively from silk-secreting insects

fibre obtained from the bolls of the cotton plant (Gossypium)

fibre obtained from the inside of the kapok fruit (Ceiba pentandra)

fibre obtained from the bast of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum)

fibre obtained from the bast of hemp (Cannabis sativa)

fibre obtained from the bast of Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus
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, Abutilon avicennae, Urena
lobata, Urena sinuata

10

abaca (Manila hemp)

fibre obtained from the sheathing leaf of Musa textilis

11

alfa

fibre obtained from the leaves of Stipa tenacissima

12

coir (coconut)

fibre obtained from the fruit of Cocos nucifera

13

broom

14

ramie

15

sisal

16

Sunn

fibre obtained from the bast of Cytisus scoparius and/or Spartium
junceum

fibre obtained from the bast of Boehmeria nivea and Boehmeria tena­
cissima

fibre obtained from the leaves of Agave sisalana

fibre from the bast of Crotalaria juncea

17

Henequen

fibre from the bast of Agave fourcroydes

18

Maguey

19

acetate

fibre from the bast of Agave cantala

cellulose acetate fibre wherein less than 92 % but at least 74 % of the
hydroxyl groups are acetylated

23.1.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 19/37

No

Name

Fibre description

20

alginate

fibre obtained from metallic salts of alginic acid

21

cupro (cuprammonium rayon)

regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by the cuprammonium process

22

modal

23

protein

24

triacetate

25

viscose

26

acrylic

27

chlorofibre

28

fluorofibre

29

modacrylic

a 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:
BC (CN) ≥ 1,3 √T + 2 T
BM (CN) ≥ 0,5 √T
where T is the mean linear density in decitex

fibre obtained from natural protein substances regenerated and
stabilised through the action of chemical agents

cellulose acetate fibre wherein at least 92 % of the hydroxyl groups
are acetylated

regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by the viscose process
filament and discontinuous fibre

for

fibre formed of linear macromolecules comprising at least 85 % (by
mass) in the chain of the acrylonitrilic pattern

fibre formed of linear macromolecules having in their chain more
than 50 % by mass of chlorinated vinyl or chlorinated vinylidene
monomeric units

fibre formed of
aliphatic monomers

linear macromolecules made from fluorocarbon

fibre formed of linear macromolecules having in the chain more than
50 % and less than 85 % (by mass) of the acrylonitrilic pattern

30

polyamide or nylon

fibre formed from synthetic linear macromolecules having in the
chain recurring amide linkages of which at least 85 % are joined to
aliphatic or cycloaliphatic units

31

aramid

32

polyimide

33

Lyocell (2)

34

polylactide

fibre formed from synthetic linear macromolecules made up of
aromatic groups joined by amide or imide linkages, of which at
least 85 % are joined directly to two aromatic rings and with the
number of imide linkages, if the latter are present, not exceeding the
number of amide linkages

fibre formed from synthetic linear macromolecules having in the
chain recurring imide units

a regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by dissolution, and an organic
solvent spinning process, without formation of derivatives

fibre formed of linear macromolecules having in the chain at least
85 % (by mass) of
lactic acid ester units derived from naturally
occurring sugars, and which has a melting temperature of at least
135 °C

35

polyester

fibre formed of linear macromolecules comprising at least 85 % (by
mass) in the chain of an ester of a diol and terephthalic acid

L 19/38

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.1.2009

No

Name

Fibre description

36

polyethylene

37

polypropylene

38

polycarbamide

39

polyurethane

40

vinylal

41

trivinyl

42

elastodiene

43

elastane

fibre formed of un-substituted aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon linear
macromolecules

fibre formed of an aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon linear macromo­
lecule where one carbon atom in two carries a methyl side chain in
an isotactic disposition and without further substitution

fibre formed of
recurring ureylene (NH-CO-NH) functional group

linear macromolecules having in the chain the

fibre formed of linear macromolecules composed of chains with the
recurring urethane functional group

fibre formed of linear macromolecules whose chain is constituted by
poly(vinyl alcohol) with differing levels of acetalisation

fibre formed of acrylonitrile terpolymer, a chlorinated vinyl monomer
and a third vinyl monomer, none of which represents as much as
50 % of the total mass

elastofibre composed of natural or
synthetic polyisoprene, or
composed of one or more dienes polymerised 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
its initial length

elastofibre composed of at least 85 % (by mass) of a segmented
polyurethane, and which, when stretched to three times its original
length and released, recovers rapidly and substantially to its initial
length

44

glass fibre

fibre made of glass

45

name corresponding to the material of
which the fibres are composed, e.g.
(metallic, metallised),
metal
asbestos,
followed or not by the word
paper,
‘yarn’ or ‘fibre’

46

elastomultiester

47

elastolefin

fibres obtained from miscellaneous or new materials not
elsewhere in this Annex

listed

fibre formed by interaction of two or more chemically distinct linear
macromolecules in two or more distinct phases (of which none
exceeds 85 % by mass) which contains ester groups as dominant
functional unit (at least 85 %) and which, after suitable treatment
when stretched to one and half
length and
released, recovers rapidly and substantially to its initial length

times its original

least 95 % (by mass) of macromolecules
fibre composed of at
partially cross-linked, made up from ethylene and at
least one
other olefin and which, when stretched to one and a half times its
original length and released, recovers rapidly and substantially to its
initial length

(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’ fleeces and the hairs

listed 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) It is understood that an ‘organic solvent’ means essentially a mixture of organic chemicals and water.

23.1.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 19/39

ANNEX II

Names referred to in Article 5(1)

— in Bulgarian:

‘необработена вълна’,

— in Spanish:

‘lana virgen’ or ‘lana de esquilado’,

— in Czech:

— in Danish:

— in German:

‘střižní vlna’,

‘ren, ny uld’,

‘Schurwolle’,

— in Estonian:

‘uus vill’,

— in Greek:

‘παρθένο μαλλί’,

— in English:

‘virgin wool’ or ‘fleece wool’,

— in French:

— in Italian:

‘laine vierge’ or ‘laine de tonte’,

‘lana vergine’ or ‘lana di tosa’,

— in Latvian:

‘pirmlietojuma vilna’ or ‘jaunvilna’,

— in Lithuanian:

‘natūralioji vilna’,

— in Hungarian:

‘élőgyapjú’,

— in Maltese:

— in Dutch:

— in Polish:

‘suf verġni’,

‘scheerwol’,

‘żywa wełna’,

— in Portuguese:

‘lã virgem’,

— in Romanian:

‘lână virgină’,

— in Slovak:

‘strižná vlna’,

— in Slovene:

‘runska volna’,

— in Finnish:

— in Swedish:

‘uusi villa’,

‘ren ull’.

L 19/40

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.1.2009

ANNEX III

Products which cannot be made subject to mandatory labelling or marking

(referred to in Article 10(1)(a))

1. Sleeve-supporting armbands

2. Watch straps of textile materials

3. Labels and badges

4. Stuffed pan-holders of textile materials

5. Coffee cosy covers

6. Tea cosy covers

7. Sleeve protectors

8. Muffs other than in pile fabric

9. Artificial flowers

10. Pin cushions

11. Painted canvas

12. Textile products for base and underlying fabrics and stiffenings

13. Felts

14. Old made-up textile products, where explicitly stated to be such

15. Gaiters

16. Packagings, not new and sold as such

17. Felt hats

18. Containers which are soft and without foundation, saddlery, of textile materials

19. Travel goods of 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. Buttons and buckles covered with textile materials

23. Book covers of textile materials

24. Toys

25. Textile parts of footwear, with the exception of warm linings

26. Table mats having several components and a surface area of not more than 500 cm2

27. Oven gloves and cloths

28. Egg cosies

29. Make-up cases

23.1.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 19/41

30. Tobacco pouches of textile fabric

31. Spectacle, cigarette and cigar, lighter and comb cases of textile fabric

32. Protective requisites for sports with the exception of gloves

33. Toilet cases

34. 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 articles subject to the rules of 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;

(b) for incorporation in machines, installations (e.g. for heating, air conditioning or lighting), domestic and other
appliances, vehicles and other means of transport, 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, parachutes, life-jackets, emergency chutes,
firefighting devices, bullet-proof waistcoats and special protective garments (e.g. those providing protection against
fire, chemical substances or other safety hazards)

40. Air-supported structures (e.g. sports halls, exhibition stands or storage facilities), provided that particulars of the

performances and technical specifications of these articles are supplied

41. Sails

42. Animal clothing

43. Flags and banners

L 19/42

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.1.2009

ANNEX IV

Products for which only inclusive labelling or marking is obligatory

(referred to in Article 10(1)(b))

1. Floor cloths

2. Cleaning cloths

3. Edgings and trimmings

4. Passementerie

5. Belts

6. Braces

7. 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. Handkerchiefs

15. Bun nets and hair nets

16. Ties and bow ties for children

17. Bibs; wash gloves and face flannels

18. Sewing, mending and embroidery yarns presented for retail sale in small quantities with a net weight of 1 gram or

less

19. Tape for curtains and blinds and shutters

(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.

23.1.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 19/43

ANNEX V

Agreed allowances used to calculate the mass of fibres contained in a textile product

(referred to in Article 13)

Fibre No

Fibres

Percentages

1-2

Wool and animal hair:

combed fibres

carded fibres

3

Animal hair:

combed fibres

carded fibres

Horsehair:

combed fibres

carded fibres

Silk

Cotton:

normal fibres

mercerised fibres

Kapok

Flax

True hemp

Jute

Abaca

ALFA

Coir

Broom

Ramie (bleached fibre)

Sisal

Sunn

Henequen

Maguey

Acetate

Alginate

Cupro

Modal

Protein

Triacetate

Viscose

Acrylic

Chlorofibre

Fluorofibre

Modacrylic

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

18,25

17,00 (1)

18,25

17,00 (1)

16,00

15,00

11,00

8,50

10,50

10,90

12,00

12,00

17,00

14,00

14,00

13,00

14,00

8,50

14,00

12,00

14,00

14,00

9,00

20,00

13,00

13,00

17,00

7,00

13,00

2,00

2,00

0,00

2,00

L 19/44

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.1.2009

Fibre No

Fibres

Percentages

30

Polyamide or nylon:

discontinuous fibre

filament

Aramid

Polyimide

Lyocell

Polylactide

Polyester:

discontinuous fibre

filament

Polyethylene

Polypropylene

Polycarbamide

Polyurethane

discontinuous fibre

filament

Vinylal

Trivinyl

Elastodiene

Elastane

Glass fibre:

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

with an average diameter of over 5 μm
with an average diameter of 5 μm or less

45

Metal fibre

Metallised fibre

Asbestos

Paper yarn

Elastomultiester

Elastolefin

46

47

6,25

5,75

8,00

3,50

13,00

1,50

1,50

1,50

1,50

2,00

2,00

3,50

3,00

5,00

3,00

1,00

1,50

2,00

3,00

2,00

2,00

2,00

13,75

1,50

1,50

(1) The agreed allowances of 17 % shall also be applied where it is impossible to ascertain whether the textile product containing wool

and/or animal hair is combed or carded.

23.1.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 19/45

ANNEX VI

PART A

Repealed Directive with list of its successive amendments

(referred to in Article 18)

Directive 96/74/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
(OJ L 32, 3.2.1997, p. 38).

Commission Directive 97/37/EC
(OJ L 169, 27.6.1997, p. 74).

Point 1.F.2 of Annex II to the 2003 Act of Accession
(OJ L 236, 23.9.2003, p. 66).

Commission Directive 2004/34/EC
(OJ L 89, 26.3.2004, p. 35).

Commission Directive 2006/3/EC
(OJ L 5, 10.1.2006, p. 14).

Council Directive 2006/96/EC
(OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 81).

Commission Directive 2007/3/EC
(OJ L 28, 3.2.2007, p. 12).

Annex, point D 2 only

PART B

List of time limits for transposition into national law

(referred to in Article 18)

Directive

96/74/EC

97/37/EC

2004/34/EC

2006/3/EC

2006/96/EC

2007/3/EC

Time limit for transposition

—

1 June 1998

1 March 2005

9 January 2007

1 January 2007

2 February 2008

L 19/46

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.1.2009

ANNEX VII

CORRELATION TABLE

Directive 96/74/EC

This Directive

Article 1

Article 2(1)

Article 1(1)

Article 2(1)(a)

Article 2(2), introductory wording

Article 2(1)(b), introductory wording

Article 2(2), first indent

Article 2(2), second indent

Article 2(1)(b)(i)

Article 2(1)(b)(ii)

Article 2(3), introductory wording

Article 2(2), introductory wording

Article 2(3), first indent

Article 2(3), second indent

Article 2(3), third indent

Article 3

Article 4

Article 2(2)(a)

Article 2(2)(b)

Article 2(2)(c)

Article 3

Article 4

Article 5(1), wording other than the indents

Article 5(1)

Article 5(1), indents

Article 5(2)

Article 5(3)

Annex II

Article 5(2)

Article 5(3)

Article 6(1), introductory wording

Article 6(1), introductory wording

Article 6(1), first indent

Article 6(1), second indent

Article 6(1), third indent

Article 6(2)

Article 6(3)

Article 6(4)

Article 6(5)

Article 7

Article 8(1)

Article 8(2)(a)

Article 8(2)(b)

Article 8(2)(c)

Article 8(2)(d)

Article 9(1)

Article 9(2)

Article 6(1)(a)

Article 6(1)(b)

Article 6(1)(c)

Article 6(2)

Article 6(3)

Article 6(5)

Article 6(4)

Article 7

Article 8(1)

Article 8(2)

Article 8(3)

Article 8(4)

Article 8(5)

Article 9(1)

Article 9(2)

Article 9(3), introductory wording

Article 9(3), introductory wording

23.1.2009

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 19/47

Directive 96/74/EC

This Directive

Article 9(3)(a), first subparagraph, introductory wording

Article 9(3)(a), first subparagraph, introductory wording

Article 9(3)(a), first subparagraph, first indent

Article 9(3)(a), first subparagraph, point (i)

Article 9(3)(a), first subparagraph, second indent

Article 9(3)(a), first subparagraph, point (ii)

Article 9(3)(a), first subparagraph, third indent

Article 9(3)(a), first subparagraph, point (iii)

Article 9(3)(a), second subparagraph

Article 9(3)(a), second subparagraph

Article 9(3)(a), third subparagraph

Article 9(3)(a), third subparagraph

Article 9(3)(b) to (f)

Article 9(3)(b) to (f)

Article 10

Article 11

Article 10

Article 11

Article 12, introductory wording

Article 12, introductory wording

Article 12, point 1

Article 12, point 2(a)

Article 12, point 2(b), first subparagraph

Article 12(a)

Article 12(b)

Article 12(c)

Article 12, point 2(b), second subparagraph

Article 12(d)

Article 12, point 2(c), first subparagraph

Article 12(e), first subparagraph

Article 12, point 2(c), second subparagraph,
wording

introductory

Article 12(e), second subparagraph,

introductory wording

Article 12, point 2(c), second subparagraph, first indent

Article 12(e), second subparagraph, point (i)

Article 12, point 2(c), second subparagraph, second indent Article 12(e), second subparagraph, point (ii)

Article 12, point 3

Article 13

Article 14

Article 12(f)

Article 13

Article 14

Article 15, introductory wording

Article 1(2), introductory wording

Article 15, point 1

Article 15, point 2

Article 15, point 3

Article 15, point 4

Article 16

Article 17

Article 18

—

Article 19, first paragraph

Article 19, second paragraph

Article 1(2)(a)

Article 1(2)(b)

Article 1(2)(c)

Article 1(2)(d)

Articles 15 and 16

Article 17

—

Article 18

Article 20

Article 19

L 19/48

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.1.2009

Directive 96/74/EC

This Directive

Annex I, Nos 1 to 33

Annex I, No 33a

Annex I, No 34

Annex I, No 35

Annex I, No 36

Annex I, No 37

Annex I, No 38

Annex I, No 39

Annex I, No 40

Annex I, No 41

Annex I, No 42

Annex I, No 43

Annex I, No 44

Annex I, No 45

Annex I, No 46

Annex II, Nos 1 to 33

Annex II, No 33a

Annex II, No 34

Annex II, No 35

Annex II, No 36

Annex II, No 37

Annex II, No 38

Annex II, No 39

Annex II, No 40

Annex II, No 41

Annex II, No 42

Annex II, No 43

Annex II, No 44

Annex II, No 45

Annex II, No 46

Annex III

Annex IV

Annex V

Annex VI

—

—

Annex I, Nos 1 to 33

Annex I, No 34

Annex I, No 35

Annex I, No 36

Annex I, No 37

Annex I, No 38

Annex I, No 39

Annex I, No 40

Annex I, No 41

Annex I, No 42

Annex I, No 43

Annex I, No 44

Annex I, No 45

Annex I, No 46

Annex I, No 47

Annex V, Nos 1 to 33

Annex V, No 34

Annex V, No 35

Annex V, No 36

Annex V, No 37

Annex V, No 38

Annex V, No 39

Annex V, No 40

Annex V, No 41

Annex V, No 42

Annex V, No 43

Annex V, No 44

Annex V, No 45

Annex V, No 46

Annex V, No 47

Annex III

Annex IV

—

—

Annex VI

Annex VII