New Zealand Issues Proposed Policy Statement on Formaldehyde in Clothing and Other Textiles
November 2007 (07B-167)
|
New Zealand has issued a proposed Government Product Safety Policy Statement on formaldehyde in clothing and textiles. The intent of the proposed Policy Statement is to provide clear guidance to manufacturers and importers about the acceptable limits of formaldehyde in clothing and other textiles to complement the Consumer Guarantees Act, which guarantees consumers receive goods of acceptable quality that are safe to use. Although compliance with the Policy Statement, once it is finalized, will be voluntary, any evidence of failure to meet the limits will be used to support the need of product recall or ban.
Submissions on the proposed Policy Statement are due by 26 November 2007. As additional information becomes available, we are committed to keeping you informed. To assist you, Bureau Veritas can evaluate the formaldehyde levels in your clothing and textile products for compliance with existing requirements in a number of countries around the world. |
Proposed Limits of Formaldehyde in New Zealand
 For clothes for babies and infants under 2 years of age: no greater than
30 mg/kg;
For clothing specifically designed and marketed as for people (both children
and adults) with sensitive skin or to avoid any sensitive reaction with skin:
no greater than 30 mg/kg;
For clothing and textiles in direct skin contact: no greater than 100 ppm or
no greater than 100 mg/kg after wash if there is a label or instruction
recommending to “wash before first use”; and
For clothing and textiles not in direct skin contact: no greater than 300 ppm
The proposed acceptable testing method is EN ISO 14184-1:1998 Textiles – Determination of Formaldehyde – Part 1: Free and Hydrolized Formaldehyde (Water Extraction Method), which is the internationally recognized standard for testing of formaldehyde in clothing.
International Formaldehyde Limits in Clothing and Other Textiles
New Zealand’s proposed Government Product Safety Policy Statement is based on scientific studies and existing acceptable limits for formaldehyde in clothing and other textiles found in other countries.
| Country |
Criteria for textiles |
Austria |
1500 mg/kg or above must be labelled |
| China |
Infants and babies: 20 mg/kg
Direct skin contact: 75 mg/kg
NOT direct skin contact: 300 mg/kg |
| Finland and Norway |
Babies under 2 years: 30 mg/kg
Direct skin contact: 100 mg/kg
NOT direct skin contact: 300 mg/kg |
| France |
Babies: 20 mg/kg
Direct skin contact: 100 mg/kg
NOT direct skin contact: 400 mg/kg |
| Germany |
Direct skin contact textiles release more than 1500 mg/kg formaldehyde must bear the label “Contains formaldehyde>Washing this garment is recommended prior to first time use in order to avoid irritation of the skin.” |
| Japan |
Infants: Not detectable (20 mg/kg)
Direct skin contact: 75 mg/kg |
| Netherlands |
Direct skin contact textiles contain more than 120 mg/kg formaldehyde must bear the label “Wash before first use” and the product must not contain more than
120 mg/kg formaldehyde after wash |
| Poland |
Babies: 20 mg/kg
Direct skin contact: 150 mg/kg
NOT direct skin contact: 300 mg/kg |
| South Korea |
Babies: 20 mg/kg |
Bureau Veritas an Industry Leader in Product Testing
With experienced technical professionals in the area of consumer product testing, we are committed to assisting retailers and manufacturers in evaluating their products for compliance to critical safety standards.
Our testing services are just one method in which we can help you deliver compliant and reliable products to market. By examining the various points in your supply chain, we can further help you assess and maintain product throughout the lifecycle of your product.
Taking Proactive and Preventive Steps
Implementing the right services at the right point along the supply
chain can dramatically increase the effectiveness of a quality assurance program. As the marketplace continues to evolve and shift, it is important to re-evaluate your current program against the regulatory and industry changes taking place today.
With years of experience, a strong reputation and a full understanding of the retail marketplace, we are ready to help you get through existing and future challenges to protect your company’s most important asset – your brand. We offer a variety of solutions and services throughout the supply chain. Please call your program manager or contact our nearest location to discuss how we can help you.
|
ABOUT FORMALDEHYDE
Formaldehyde is classified as a hazardous substance and has a number of hazardous properties, including skin and eye irritation, skin sensitization and carcinogenicity. | Contact Information
Please contact your local customer service representative or the Bureau Veritas office in:
Americas: info@us.bureauveritas.com
Europe: BVsales@uk.bureauveritas.com
Asia: marketingmail@hk.bureauveritas.com
 Printer-friendly Bulletin
Click here for a complete list of our Regulatory Bulletins
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. (“BVCPS”) provides the information in this client bulletin as a resource of general information. It does not replace any applicable legal or regulatory requirements and is provided “as is.” BVCPS will not be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, consequential or other damages (including without limitation lost profits) of any kind in connection with this client bulletin. BVCPS DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CLIENT BULLETIN.
Copyright © 2007 Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
