Certain CMR substances that are present in clothing, accessories and other textiles coming into close contact with the human skin will be further restricted on the European market as of November 1, 2020. This may impact your business. How can Centexbel help you?
But first, what are CMR?
CMR substances are substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR). They are of specific concern due to the long term and serious effects that they may exert on human health. Under GHS, CMR substances can be classified into 3 categories depending on the severity of hazards.
- Category 1A: Known human carcinogen (H340), mutagen (H350) or reproductive toxicant (H360) based on human evidence;
- Category 1B: Presumed human carcinogen (H340), mutagen (H350) or reproductive toxicant (H360) based on animal studies;
- Category 2: Suspected carcinogen (H341), mutagen (H351) or reproductive toxicant (H361) based on limited evidence from animal studies or/and human.
The COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2018/1513 of 10 October 2018 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards certain substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) will enter into force on November 1, 2020.
From then on, the listed products may no longer be placed on the market in the following products
- clothing or related accessories
- textiles other than clothing which, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, come into contact with human skin to an extent similar to clothing
- footwear
Appendix 12 Entry 72
The new restrictions apply to:
- Extractable metals (Cd, Cr VI, Ash, Pb)
- Benzene + 8 PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)
- 3 chlorinated toluenes
- Formaldehyde
- 5 phthalates
- 3 aprotic solvents: DMF, NMP & DMAc
- 3 disperse dyes
- 4 derived salts of arylamines
- Quinoline
The full list of restricted substances is available on the ECHA website
How can Centexbel help you?
Tests by Centexbel
In our chemical lab, we screen your textile materials and accessories for the presence of CMR chemicals and we very accurately determine their concentration by weight.
- Extractable metals [ISO 16711-2(2015)]
- Thermal extraction GCMS
- Formaldehyde [ISO 14184-1 (2011)]
- Disperse Dyes [DIN 54231 (2005)]
Please note that textiles tested and certified according to Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® comply with the criteria on the maximum concentration limits by weight!