RSL Released by AAFA (Version 7)

In September 2010, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) released the most updated seventh version of their Restricted Substances List (RSL).

For the new version of AAFA, the below new National regulations are included:
- South Korea KC Mark
- Vietnam Temporary Regulation Circular No. 32/2009/TT-BCT
- Oregon SB586
- Eighteenth Regulation on the Amendment of the German Ordinance and Commodities of 3rd August 2010

The major changes from Release 6 to Release 7 as below.
1. Arylamines
- Test method changed to EN ISO 17234-1 for leather

- Add test method GB/T 23344-2009 for confirmation of 4-aminoazobenzene

2. Solvents
- Change limit to 0.1% (mass) by "Each" instead of "Total"
- Add Trichloroethylene CAS#79-01-6 to the list

3. Flame Retardants
- Add SB 596 (Oregon with limit 0.1% by weight for DecaBDE)

4.1 Metal - Restrictions for Textiles
- Addition restriction of Lead content (90ppm) with reference to KC mark
- Specify leachable metals contents (Pb, Cr, Hg, As and Cu) for Chinese regulation FZ/T81014:2008
- Change age from "<24>

4.2 Metal - Restrictions for Leather
- Changed German regulation from "LFGB 30" to "Eighteenth Regulation on the Amendment of the German Ordinance on Commodities of 3rd Auguest 2010
- Test method changed to 64 LFGB 82.02.11 (2008)

4.3 Metal - Restrictions for Surface Coatings and Printing
- Updated Lead restricion (90ppm) with reference to CPSIA
- Test method changed to CPSC-CH-E1003-09
- Added Cadmium content limitation (100ppm) to the list by test method EN1122

5. Formaldehyde
- Updated test method ISO 17226 for formaldehyde in leather
- Removed test method DIN 53315

6. Phthalates
- Added test method CPSC-CH-C1001-09

Germany Bans Chromium (VI) in Leather Products

Chromium (VI) is a chromium species in the oxidation state +6, which is carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction. It is a hazardous substance also can cause skin irritation if contacted with skin. In the past chromium (VI) containing salts of chromic acid have been used for leather tanning leaving some residue in the leather. Most leathers are still tanned by using chromium salts but chromium (VI) has been replaced by safer alternatives, e.g. by using chromium (III) salts for tanning. Due to a potential conversion process of chromium (III) to chromium (VI) this is still occasionally found in consumer products.

European Union Regulation (REACH Annex XVII) restricts chromium (VI) substances but, this is currently limited to non-consumer products. In order to strengthen consumer protection there has been an initiative by Germany to cover consumer products made from leather as well, and Cr 6 already banned by German Consumer Goods Ordinance (18 BedGgstVÄndV).

Substances: Chromium (VI)

Scope: Leather materials in consumer products with body contact
e.g. Toys, Clothing, Watch straps, Leather Furnishure, Bags and etc.

Test method: § 64 LFGB 82.02-11 B

Requirement: ≤ 3 mg/kg

Effective date: 14 August 2010

RSL Released by AAFA

In March 2010, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) released the sixth version of their Restricted Substances List (RSL).

The Restricted Substances List (RSL) was created by a special working group of the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s (AAFA) Environment Task Force and will be updated on a regular basis. Chemicals appearing in the AAFA RSL are those specifically related to both apparel and home textiles as well as footwear and that are banned or restricted by a regulation or law. The country laws with the strictest requirement are cited in the RSL.

Chemicals parameters covered in the latest AAFA RSL Release 6:
• Azo dyes
• Disperse dyes
• Navy blue
• Solvents
• Pesticides
• Dioxins and furans
• Asbestos
• Fluorinated greenhouse gases
• Flame retardants
• Heavy metals

(Cadmium/Lead/Chromium/Chromium Vl/Nickel/Arsenic/Mercury/Copper)
• Organotins (TBT/ TPhT/ DBT/ DOT)
• PFOS
• Formaldehyde
• Phthalates (DEHP/ DNOP/ BBP/ DBP / DINP / DIDP)
• Nonyl Phenol/Nonyl
• Henolethoxylates
• Dimethyl Fumarate

You can browse AAFA official web-site for more details

Sources of the RSL information:

http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/UserFiles/File/Restricted%20Substance%20List/AAFARSLFinalRelease6.pdf

Limits of DimethylFumarate (DMF) is Fixed Now!

Commission Decision has already published the requirements of Dimethyl Fumarate.

2009/251/EC
Commission Decision of 17 March 2009 requiring Member States to ensure that products containing the biocide Dimethylfumarate are not placed or made available on the market, and it is applied for all products with 0.1mg/kg or less of DMF.

You can refer to my previous posts about DMF.
Ban of Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF)!
DMF - Dimethy formamide OR Dimethy fumarate?
EU Concerns on DMF!

Ban of Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF)!

In 2008, a number of consumers in some countries such as France, Finland, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom were exposed to products containing DMF and experienced health problems such as skin itching, irritation, redness, burns and acute respiratory difficulties. An EU wide ban on the use of DMF in all consumer goods is designed to eliminate the chronic health risks and in particular the allergic reactions suffered by some consumers when they are exposed to this substance.

Existing Rules

DMF is already banned for use in the manufacture of goods in the EU, since biocidal products containing DMF are not authorised under the Biocides Directive (98/8/EC). However, manufacturers outside the EU may use these unauthorised biocides and then export their products to the EU.

The Actions

In December 2008, France adopted a decree banning the importation and placing on the market of seating and footwear containing DMF for 1 year. The French Decree also requires the recall of all seating and footwear which visibly contains, or the packaging of which visibly contains, DMF. In January2009, Belgium issued a Decree to ban all articles containing DMF on the market. Spain is considering introducing a measure.

EU

Scope: Consumer Product

Regulation: To be finalized

Belgium

Scope: Articles and Products

Regulation: Minister for Public health and the Minister for Consumer Protection, Ministerial Decree concerning the prohibition of placing articles and products containing DMF on the market

(Belgian Official Journal, 12 January2009)

France

Scope: Seating and Footwear (for 1 year)

Regulation: Ministry for the Economy, Industry and Employment, Decree of 4 December 2008
suspending the placing on the market of seats and footwear containing DMF from the Market
(French Official Journal, Text 17 of 108 , 10 December 2008)

You can refer to my previous posts about DMF.

DMF - Dimethy formamide OR Dimethy fumarate?

EU Concerns on DMF!

Reference:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/190&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

PFOS in Textile

PFOS (Perfluoroctane sulfonates) is the substances for surface treatment applications for giving the surface material with repellent properties against water, oil and soil and softer handfeeling. In textile industry, the application likes rainwear, upholstery fabric, curtain material, workwear, bed sheeting...etc.

As PFOS has the properties with water resistance, machanical load, intense heat and stable on the laundering and drycleaning processes. So, PFOS is widely applied in coated fabric in textile market nowadays.

When PFOS applied as a finishing treatment to textile materials, the perfluorocarbon chain tends to be orientated away from the surface, lowering the surface energy of the material, thereby forming a flexible replelling barrier and preventing anything from interacting with the fiber surface.

PFOS are regarded as inert chemicals and biologically inactive. But, PFOS were classified by Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) as very presistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) chemical compounds. Therefore, new EU Directive 2006/122/EC was issued.

EU Directive 2006/122/EC

Perfluoroctane sulfonates

C8F17SO2X (where X = OH, metal salt, halide amide and other derivatives including polymers)

(1) May not be placed on the market or used as a substance or constituent of preparations in a concentration equal to or higher than 0.005% by mass;

(2) May not be placed on the market in semi-finished products or articles, or parts thereof, if the concentration of PFOS is equal to or higher than 0.1% by mass;

Or, for textiles or other coated materials. If the amount of PFOS is equal to or higher than 1ug/m2 of the coated material.

Remarks
* PFOA is also a related substance of PFOS, which chemical at the heart of this Class Action lawsuit is Ammonium Perfluorooctanoate, commonly referred to as C8, C-8, or APFO.

22 or 24 Banned Amines Substances of Azo Dyes Regulation?

According to Commission of the European Communities: Directive 2002/61/EC, there are 22 banned amines substances as below.

4-aminodiphenyl/xenylamine/Biphenyl-4-ylamine (CAS no. 92-67-1)
Benzidine (CAS no. 92-87-5)
4-chloro-o-toluidine (CAS no. 95-69-2)
2-naphthylamine (CAS no. 91-59-8)
o-aminoazotoluene/4-o-tolylazo-o-toluidine/4-amino-2’,3-dimethylazobenzene (CAS no. 97-56-3)
2-amino-4-nitrotoluol/5-nitro-o-toluidine (CAS no. 99-55-8)
p-chloranilin/4-chloroaniline (CAS no. 106-47-8)
2,4-diaminoanisole/4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine (CAS no. 615-05-4)
4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane/4,4-methylenedianiline (CAS no. 101-77-9)
3,3'-dichlorobenzidine/3,3’dichlorobiphenyl-4,4’-ylenediamine (CAS no. 91-94-1)
3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine/o-dianisidine (CAS no. 119-90-4)
3,3'-dimethybenzidine/4,4’-bi-o-Toluidine (CAS no. 119-93-7)
3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane/4,4’-methylenedi-o-toluidine (CAS no. 838-88-0)
p-cresidin/6-methoxy-m-toluidine (CAS no. 120-71-8)
4,4'-methylene-bis-(2-chloro-aniline)/2,2’-dichloro-4,4’methylenedianiline (CAS no. 101-14-4)
4,4'-oxydianiline (CAS no. 101-80-4)
4,4'-thiodianiline (CAS no. 139-65-1)
o-toluidine/2-aminotoluene (CAS no. 95-53-4)
2,4-toluylenediamine/4-methyl-m-phenylenediamine (CAS no. 95-80-7)
2,4,5-trimethylaniline (CAS no. 137-17-7)
4-aminoazobenzene (CAS no. 60-09-3)
o-anisidine/ 2-methoxyaniline (CAS no. 90-04-0)

For Oeko-tex standard 100, the list is upgraded to 24 banned list. Which the below 2 arylamines substances are addiationally put into the list.

2,4-Xylidine (CAS no. 95-68-1)
2,6-Xylidine (CAS no. 87-62-7)

For more information about Okeo-tex, please kindly visit www.oeko-tex.com.

What is Azo dyes?

Azo Dyes are the major colourants in the textile industry. It allows colours with outstanding colorfastness and wide huge spectrum. However, these dyes may split off aromatic amines and some of them are proven carcinogenic (eg. Benzidine)

* where: (1) Azo dye, (2) Original di-azo-components, (3) Linking component with additional amine.

Regulation / Requirement
According to the directive 2002/61/EC, in textile and leather articles that may come into direct and prolonged contact with human skin or oral cavity, the use of azo colourants, which may release 22 banned listed carcinogenic amines.

Testing Methods
- General Textiles: EN14362-1 (=64 LFGB 82.02-2)
- Polyester: EN14362-2 (=64 LFGB 82.02-4)
- Leather: ISO/TS17234 (=64 LFGB 82.02-3)
- Determination of 4-aminoazobenzene (4-AAB) (=64 LFGB 82.02-9)

Limits
Max. 30ppm (each amine)

* In some cases, some clients may set the requirement to 24 banned listed amines or 20ppm. Please kindly contact your testing service provider for solution.

DMF - Dimethy formamide OR Dimethy fumarate?

There are two different chemical substances but with the same short term name "DMF". It may cause you confused. Here below are the clear information briefly and the differences between them.

Dimethyl fumarate

CAS no. 624-49-7

Appearance: Crystal Solid in Sachel

Application: Anti-mould agent

Harmful effect: Skin Allergenic

Dimethy formamide

CAS no. 68-12-2
Appearance: Liquid

Application: Solvent
Harmful effect: Pespiratory Irritation by VOC effect

You can check the previous post for the detail of Dimethyl fumarate. Or you can check the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of the above chemical substances from your suppliers.

* If you would like to post your ad on this blog, please feel free to contact me for detail.

EU Concerns on DMF!

Background of the concerns

Since the beginning of 2008, there have been continuous reports by consumers in Europe suffering from rashes and other symptoms as a result of sitting on sofas and recliners from China. These sofas were found to contain sachets of the anti-moulding agent Dimethyl Furamate (DMF); inserted into such consumer products as an anti-fungal agent (to prevent moulding) during transportation. In some of the products, as much as ten times the usual quantity was placed inside sofas and chairs. Crystals of DMF contained in the sachets were placed between the cover and foam of the sofas, in which this substance is harmful in contact with the skin.

Since then, a popular French distribution chain has found footwear sold in its stores to have been contaminated by the same substance and has had complaints of skin damage as a result. Immediately, the company recalled all stock from the stores and is recalling the affected products from their consumers in an attempt to prevent further instances and to protect their brand image.


What is DMF?

The substance dimethyl fumarate is a white crystalline powder and has many names but can be identified by the CAS number as shown below.
Substance Name: Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF)
Substance CAS No. 624-49-7

The crystals of DMF transformed into toxic gases, particularly when exposed to heat. These gases can then pass through clothes to case the rash. It is harmful in contact with the skin and if in contact with the eyes could result in serious damage. Although, this substance must not be used in products, but there is the potential for it to come in to contact with the skin or the eyes. This is not just limited to upholstered furniture and footwear, it applies to all products where there is a potential for skin contact.

PS.

There is a similar short term with DMF but if different substances as below, that may confused in market.

Dimethyl Fumarate (富馬酸二甲酯)

Substance CAS No. 624-49-7

Dimethyl Formamide ((N.N-二甲基甲酰胺)*

Substance CAS No. 68-12-2

* Will discuss by the another post later for another DMF (Dimethyl Formamide).