REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL regarding possible new labelling requirements of textile products and on a study on allergenic substances in textile products
Date: 2013-09-25
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: allergy, consumer information, labelling, marketing standard, product designation, textile product













EUR-Lex - 52013DC0656 - EN











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52013DC0656

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL regarding possible new labelling requirements of textile products and on a study on allergenic substances in textile products /* COM/2013/0656 final */









REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL
regarding possible new labelling
requirements of textile products and on a study on allergenic substances in
textile products
1.           Introduction
Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2011 on textile fibre names and
related labelling and marking of fibre composition of textile products[1] (hereafter the “Textile
Regulation” or the “Regulation”) is the sole sector-specific EU legislation applicable
to textile products[2].
It lays down conditions and rules for the labelling and marking of textile
products, and rules on textile fibre names. It applies to all products
containing at least 80% by weight of textile fibres, including raw, semi-worked,
worked, semi-manufactured, semi-made or made-up products.
Article 24 of the Textile Regulation
requires the European Commission to submit to the European Parliament and to
the Council by 30 September 2013, a report accompanied, where appropriate, by
legislative proposals, ‘regarding possible new labelling requirements to be
introduced at Union level with a view to providing consumers with accurate,
relevant, intelligible and comparable information on the characteristics of
textile products’. The issues examined include, inter alia, an origin labelling
scheme, a harmonised care labelling system, a Union-wide uniform size labelling
system, an indication of allergenic substances, electronic labelling and other
new technologies, language-independent symbols or codes for the identification
of textile fibres. As Article 12 of the Textile Regulation introduces the
requirement to label textile products containing non-textile parts of animal
origin, the possible labelling or marking of leather products was also examined.
Moreover, the Commission was also required, by Article 25 of the Regulation, to
carry out a study to evaluate whether there is a causal link between allergic reactions
and chemical substances or mixtures used in textile products, and where
appropriate, submit legislative proposals.
This report has been established on the
basis of the outcome of the studies carried out on the European Commission’s
behalf. These studies analysed different systems of labelling for textiles and
leather products, as well as the causal link between allergies and chemical
substances in finished textile products. The results of these studies have been
extensively discussed with experts from the Member States, industry and other
stakeholders, notably via the Expert Group on Textiles Names and Labelling[3]. The study on labelling of
textile products took into account the outcome of a study carried out on behalf
of the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Internal Policies[4], in 2010. The present report takes
into account existing relevant European and international standards and also covers
Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) concerns. It includes an overview of
the textiles and clothing industry in chapter 2, a summary review of possible
new labelling requirements (Article 24) and the main findings of the study on chemical
substances (Article 25) in chapters 3 and 4, respectively, and presents conclusions
in chapter 5.
2.           Overview of the EU
textiles and clothing sector
The EU design-based consumer goods industry
is made up of a wide range of sectors, notably textiles and clothing (T&C),
leather and footwear, leisure (sports, games and toys), and jewellery, interior
decoration, etc. These sectors comprise more than half a million enterprises
which are active in the value chain (including in design, product development,
manufacturing, distribution and retailing). Together, they generate a total
annual turnover of around € 500 billion and provide some 5 million jobs in the
EU.
The European textile and clothing industry
is a highly diversified[5],
innovation and creativity driven industrial sector made up largely of SMEs:
firms had an average of 10 employees in 2009, down from 18 employees at the
beginning of the decade. In 2011, the sector consisted of more than 185 000
companies employing 1.7 million people in Europe and with a total turnover of €
152 billion[6].
In the face of intense global competition, European companies are increasingly
turning to research, development and innovation (RD&I) to maintain and
enhance sustainable competitiveness. After more than 15 years of radical structural
change, high added value speciality products account today for a substantial proportion
of the sector’s activities. Significant efforts in RD&I have strengthened
the knowledge content and sustainability of textile companies, notably those generating
‘tailored’ solutions for new applications and services in demanding sectors
like healthcare, civil engineering, automotive or aerospace.
Over the past 15 years, the textile and
clothing (T&C) sector improved its energy efficiency by around 35%, both
per unit of output and value added, which is well above the average for the manufacturing
sector as a whole. The sector covers the market segments of wearing apparel,
interior textiles and technical textiles, each generating approximately 1/3 of
the total turnover/revenues. In the EU, however, the balance is tilting in
favour of technical textiles[7],
the segment where the EU has a relative competitive advantage over its trade
partners. The T&C sector as a whole accounts for a 3 % share of value added
and a 6 % share of employment in total manufacturing. The apparent labour
productivity of the sector improved from around 40 % up to 46 % over the period
2004-2009. The level of investment per value added has remained stable at
around 11 % over this period.
Figure
1 – Number of enterprises and turnover of the
T&C industry (2004-2009) 
Source: Eurostat
After a 5-year downturn period, the T&C
industry seems to have recovered somewhat from the impact of financial turmoil,
but this trend has yet to be confirmed with 2012 data. The main factors and
issues influencing the competitiveness of the T&C industry are those
affecting other sectors too. Access to finance, in particular, is crucial to
enable investments to modernise production facilities and to develop higher
design-content products targeted at existing or new markets. Skills shortage is
also another important concern not only in the T&C but across the entire
manufacturing industry. Certain issues, such as Intellectual Property Rights
and their infringements require more T&C targeted and sector-specific
solutions. As part of the way forward, enterprises are actively pursuing
technological and non-technological innovation, developing design-content,
branding and quality products, and exporting to compensate for depressed demand
in the EU. The sector is becoming increasingly competitive.
3.           Current situation and
findings on likely developments regarding labelling
This section provides an overview of the
current requirements concerning the labelling of textile products and an
assessment of the need for possible new requirements and the desirability and
feasibility of harmonising the labelling and marking of textile and leather
products.
According to the Textile Regulation,
textile products available on the EU market must have a label or marking which
shows the fibre composition using the fibre names listed in Annex I to the
Regulation. The fibre names and the percentage by weight of all constituent
fibres have to be indicated in descending order. The labelling and marking
requirements on fibre composition apply to textile products and textile
components containing at least 80% by weight of textile fibres. The Regulation
does not regulate other aspects of labelling and marking. Leather products are not
subject to labelling and marking requirements[8],
except for footwear products, which are covered by the Footwear Directive
94/11/EC[9].
Certain categories of textile products, including carpets, other floorings and
home decoration products, are also covered by Regulation (EU) N° 305/2011[10] laying down harmonised
conditions for the marketing of construction products.
The need for possible new labelling
requirements is assessed on the basis of studies carried out on behalf of the
Commission and checked and complemented by extensive discussions[11] with a broad spectrum of
stakeholders. As the studies on possible labelling harmonisation are
feasibility studies aimed at informing a potential impact assessment, policy
options are more numerous and broadly defined than they would be at formal
impact assessment stage. These studies do give a good overview of potential
impacts and benefits of any new requirements. The illustrative examples enabled
the evaluation of whether or not a further substantiated assessment of costs
and benefits was necessary.
Since Article 24 of the Textile Regulation provides
that possible consumer-centred[12]
labelling requirements should be examined in consultation with relevant
stakeholders, the textile labelling study[13]
included a consumer survey and interviews with stakeholders[14]; it assessed various labelling
and marking options, as follows:
(a)                   
Origin labelling scheme
Origin labelling is of interest to
consumers. A detailed discussion on the pertinence of introducing an origin
labelling scheme in the Textile Regulation is at the moment not appropriate due
to the recent adoption of a Commission Proposal for a Regulation on Consumer
Product Safety[15]
wherein the Commission intends to provide an EU-wide and cross-sector scheme,
which considers country of origin and other traceability aspects. These
developments were positively received by a significant number of stakeholders,
including in the textile sector.
(b)                   
Care labelling system
Consumers give highest priority to indicating
the best way of caring for textiles. In general, they are familiar with and
understand the current labelling system as adopted by the private sector. This
voluntary and worldwide well-established system is owned and controlled by
stakeholders and is the basis for the standard EN ISO 3758:2012 (Textiles —
Care Labelling Code Using Symbols) and other schemes (e.g. in the USA). Expected benefits of a legislative (mandatory) approach are only limited and, depending
on enterprises’ ability to absorb costs, may not outweigh a likely passing-on
of the costs to final consumers. There is merit in improving the functioning of
the current system, preferably in order to serve consumer needs better, for
example by using new symbols and, where appropriate, raising awareness (e.g. on
washing clothes at low temperatures), which the private sector does in any way.
(c)                   
Size labelling system
Identifying the correct size is of high
priority for consumers. They are familiar with various existing voluntary
systems and businesses and public organisations do offer conversion tables. Despite
the difficulties experienced, European and international (ISO) standards have
been developed, notably EN 13402 standard, which sets out a coding system for
designating clothes sizes. Limited benefits are expected from a mandatory
system as compared with a uniform EU-wide standard-based system. Emphasis
should be placed on pursuing and completing on-going standardisation work. Where
appropriate, relevant stakeholders and public authorities could provide support
to overcome difficulties and develop a wider consensus for a standard-based
system.
(d)                   
Indication of allergenic substances
The presence of allergenic substances in
finished textile products and the risks they pose is an issue of importance to
many consumers. Some voluntary chemicals content-related certification and
labelling schemes already exist and make consumers aware of the presence (or
rather the absence, in some products) of these substances. The concentration
levels that may generate allergic reactions in exposed groups of individuals
have however not been established for every substance that may be found in
textile products. Scientifically sound epidemiological data should be sought. Uncertainties
also persist, notably about the causal link between textile products and
allergies in the population, the exposure of consumers and the variability of
dose-response in allergic reactions of different individuals, and the chemical
substances that remain in finished textile products. Currently, these
uncertainties are indeed an obstacle to providing consumers with accurate,
relevant and comparable information about the actual risks related to the
presence of chemicals in textile products. To be effective such information must
be intelligible and meaningful to all consumers. More reliable and verifiable
information is also required in order to demonstrate conformity compliance, perform
market surveillance checks and apply enforcement measures. Existing horizontal
legislation, in particular Regulation (EC) N° 1907/2006 on registration,
evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH)[16] and Regulation (EC) N° 1272/2008
on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP)[17] and other legislation (e.g. cosmetics,
biocides, pesticides) could provide a solution to address the risks from
certain substances in textile products.
(e)                   
Electronic labelling and other technologies, and
language-independent symbols or codes (for identifying fibres)
Several new and innovative technologies and
information delivery tools, e.g. 2-D codes and RFID (radio frequency
identification) are now commercially available and being applied to food and
textile products. Experiments by large retailing companies in areas such as inventory,
orders and customers’ management are producing interesting results. More
cost-effective and affordable solutions are needed, however, for widespread use
by SMEs. The benefits of a legislative (mandatory) approach for consumers are
perceived as limited and the costs still too high. Individual enterprises
should be able to choose among different competing systems.
(f)                     
Other types of labelling and leather authenticity
labelling
The Commission also analysed other types of
labelling that are not explicitly referred to in Article 24 of the Regulation,
in particular organic, environmental, social, flammability and authenticity labelling.
It appeared that consumers were aware of the different existing standards and
international, national or EU schemes, e.g. organic labelling (private system),
environmental labelling (EU Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, Blue Angel, etc.), social
labelling (ISO 26000 standard). Several environmental labels already provide
for limitation in the use of hazardous substances which can be negative for the
environment and induce allergic reactions. Consumers’ interest in similar labelling
schemes at EU level, under the Textile Regulation was therefore low. On the
other hand, the results of a survey of consumers and manufacturers regarding
leather labelling[18]
indicated that there are perceived benefits from a label for leather authenticity.
Therefore the Commission has recently launched an impact assessment process to
thoroughly assess costs and benefits of different policy options, including a
legislative one, in the field of leather authenticity labelling. Based on the
results of this impact assessment, the Commission will decide whether any
action at EU level should be put forward.
4.           Study on allergenic substances
Under Article 25 of the Textile Regulation,
the Commission was mandated to study the possible causal link between allergies
and chemical substances or mixtures used in textile products and, on the basis
of this study[19],
to submit legislative proposals, where appropriate, in the context of existing
legislation. In accordance with the Article, the study took into account the
findings of studies carried out at Member States’ level, and focused on
chemical substances in finished textile products, but not on textile fibres or
fabrics. Occupational health aspects and risk assessment of chemicals were also
not part of the study. On the basis of the results of the study, this section explores
possible options for addressing concerns about allergenic substances in textile
manufacturing.
The majority of textile products may be considered
safe[20],
even though sensitised individuals develop allergic reactions to textile
fibres, either to wool as such, or to certain chemical substances (or mixtures)
used in manufacturing of textile products. Around 1-2% of all contact allergies
are reported to stem from textiles[21]
(being the fourth most reported after cosmetics[22], metal accessories and
pharmaceuticals). Around 2/3 of textile-related allergy cases are attributed to
disperse dyes, some of which can cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in
sensitised individuals. Current scientific knowledge indicates that some
textile finish resins can release substances which cause ACD in sensitised
individuals. Many textile additives and auxiliaries are rare sensitizers, but reactive
dyes do not have sensitising potential. On the basis of their intrinsic
properties, there are substances classified as skin sensitizers or irritants,
which may remain in finished textile products.
It is not yet possible to draw a general conclusion
on whether there is a causal link between allergic reactions and chemical substances
used and remaining on finished textile products. There remains uncertainty
about the actual release and the safe threshold concentration levels of
sensitizing and irritating chemical substances on finished textile products and
this makes it difficult to convey accurate and relevant information about risks
to consumers. Furthermore, a risk assessment is necessary to establish whether
those substances pose an unacceptable risk requiring action in the context of REACH’s
restriction procedure. Peer-reviewed epidemiological data is sparse[23] and, when available, not
recent.
The vast majority of the substances used in
textile manufacturing and found in finished textile products are neither
sensitizers nor irritants[24].
There are substances of concern[25],
the use of which is restricted or banned under existing EU legislation (e.g.
REACH, Cosmetics Regulation, Detergents Regulations, and the EU Ecolabel). As regards
the substances of very high concern (SVHC), at the end of 2012, in cooperation
with the European Chemicals Agency and Member States, the Commission developed the
SVHC roadmap[26]
to identify all those SVHC that are relevant for the EU and include in the candidate
list for authorisation under the REACH Regulation by 2020. The roadmap involves an initial screening to de-prioritise
substances which inter alia are not manufactured and/or used in the EU, followed
by a Risk Management Option (RMO) analysis to identify the most appropriate way
forward to address the potential risks from those that are. Where appropriate,
this analysis will suggest further action, either under or outside REACH. Any possible regulatory approach must be based on reliable,
verifiable and easily understandable information if it is to bring the desired benefits
to consumers and businesses, and facilitate compliance, enforcement and market
surveillance.
Future developments are likely to focus on promoting
research into alternative non-allergenic substances and exposure and risk
assessment, and addressing uncertainties as regards substances that may be
released from finished textiles products, and concentrations/limit values to
protect against allergies. Also, the work done to implement the SVHC roadmap
could represent part of the possible follow-up action to the study on the link
between allergic reactions and chemicals in textile products. The SVHC roadmap work
will include the setting-up of an ad-hoc coordination group to screen
sensitizers and identify which may be SVHCs. This group could screen the lists
of substances found in textile products as drawn up in the context of the Article
25 study and, if relevant, include them into further prioritisation and RMO
analysis.
5.           Conclusion
The studies carried out on behalf of the
Commission and the consultations with a large spectrum of stakeholders have indicated
that the development of new initiatives, to establish new labelling
requirements for textile products, is of interest to consumers.
However, on the basis of the evaluations
carried out, the Commission concludes that labelling requirements, such as the
following, do not need to be addressed in the Textile Regulation, given they
are currently in place or being developed under other regulatory on
non-regulatory frameworks: (i) care and size labelling is being addressed
either by voluntary schemes or standards; (ii) standardisation work, in
particular, is progressing towards a harmonised size designation and coding
system, at EU and international level; and (iii) country of origin labelling is
being addressed by the Commission proposal for a Regulation on Consumer Product
Safety, which provides a cross-sector solution to country of origin and
traceability related aspects, in its Article 7.
Concerning particularly labelling
requirements for allergenic substances used in textile manufacturing, the
Commission concludes that further efforts in research and deployment of
alternative and non-allergenic substances are deemed important. Although some
voluntary labelling schemes do already exist to inform consumers about the
presence of hazardous substances (including allergenic substances) in textile
products, labelling schemes and other tools to convey information on allergenic
substances should be further investigated. Also, the need for further measures
to control the presence of substances (in particular sensitizers) which are found
in finished textile products and may be released from products should be
assessed and, if appropriate, addressed under the relevant instruments
available in EU chemicals legislation, and in particular under the REACH Regulation.
The outcome of parallel processes, such as the on-going revision of the EU
Ecolabel criteria for textile products, will be taken into account.
[1]               OJ
L 272, 18.10.2011, p.1 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:272:0001:0064:EN:PDF
[2]               The Textile Regulation repealed Directives 73/44/EC,
96/73/EC and 2008/121/EC as of 8 May 2012. The transitional period for textile
products which comply with Directive 2008/121/EC and which were placed on the
market before the entry into force of the Regulation ends on 9 November 2014.
[3]               The
minutes of the meetings of the Expert Group on Textiles Names and Labelling are
available at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/textiles/documents/index_en.htm
[4]               The European Parliament study on labelling of textile
products is available at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/document/activities/cont/201108/20110825ATT25276/20110825ATT25276EN.pdf

[5]               It includes activities as diverse as artificial
fibres production, spinning (either connected to primary processing of fibres
or integrated with the manufacturing of fabrics), weaving (often integrated
with dyeing and finishing) and knitting, and finishing (comprising also dyeing,
printing, coating and lamination)
[6]               Eurostat
[7]               The technical textiles sector with around 15 000
companies employs some 300 000 workers. Major application markets include:
agriculture, forestry and aquaculture; building and construction; functional
components of clothing and footwear; geotextiles and engineering; furniture
components and floor coverings; filtration and products for industry use;
hygiene and medical; transport equipment and furnishing; environmental
protection; package and storage; personal and property protection; sports and
leisure
[8]               Products consisting of less than 80 % by weight of
textile fibres fall outside the scope of the Textile Regulation and are not
subject to labelling and marking requirements. This is the case, for example,
of products composed of 79 % by weight of leather.
[9]               OJ L 100, 19/04/1994, p.37 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1994L0011:20070101:EN:PDF
[10]             OJ L88, 4.4.2011, p.5 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:088:0005:0043:EN:PDF
[11]             Meetings (footnote 3) and consumer survey (footnote
14).
[12]             Article 24.1 – “with a view to providing consumers with
accurate, relevant, intelligible and comparable information”
[13]             The textiles labelling study is available at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/textiles/files/studies/study-report-labelling-textile_en.pdf
[14]             As indicated in the textile labelling study, a consumer
survey was conducted in seven Member States with more than 3500 respondents
[15]             COM(2013) 78 final - Proposal for a Regulation of the
European Parliament and of the Council on consumer product safety and repealing
Council Directive 87/357/EEC and Directive 2001/95/EC, of 13.2.2013
[16]             OJ L396, 30.12.2006, p.1 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:396:0001:0849:EN:PDF
[17]             OJ L353, 31.12.2008, p.1 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:353:0001:1355:en:PDF
[18]             The leather labelling study is available at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/leather/files/study-report-labelling-leather_en.pdf
[19]             Study on Causal link between allergic reactions and
chemical substances or mixtures used in textiles http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/textiles/files/studies/study-allergic-reactions-textile_en.pdf
[20]             In 2012, the vast majority RAPEX notifications regarding
textile and clothing items concerned the risk associated with the use of strips
not chemical substances.
[21]             BfR Information No. 018/2007             http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/349/introduction_to_the_problems_surrounding_garment_textiles.pdf
[22]             “It can be estimated that the frequency of contact
allergy to fragrance ingredients in the general population in Europe is 1-3%”.
Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety opinion on fragrance allergens in
cosmetic products, page 7. The SCCS/1459/11 opinion is available at http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_102.pdf

[23]             “Data from human dose elicitation experiments are very
limited in several respects.” Opinion SCCS/1459/11 on fragrance allergens in
cosmetic products, page 8
[24]             Some 70 allergenic substances have been identified, KEMI
report No 3/13 http://www.kemi.se/Documents/Publikationer/Trycksaker/Rapporter/Rapport-3-13-textiles.pdf
[25]             Substances of concern include: carcinogenic, mutagenic
and toxic for reproduction (CMR), persistent bioaccumulative and toxic,(PBT),,
endocrine disruptors, etc.
[26]             The SVHC roadmap defines the process to identify and assess several categories of potential SVHCs, including
sensitizers. (http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/13/st05/st05867.en13.pdf)