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| CHEMICAL
RESTRICTIONS |
| Several
of the restrictions are based upon legislations in Europe and in the US.
We require compliance with these restrictions from all suppliers, and all
suppliers must sign the given Chemical Restrictions Compliance Commitment. |
| The Apparel
standards is as follows and the limits mentioned below may not be exceeded
at any time. |
| Chemical compound or group of compounds |
Limits for textile & Leather products |
Prohibited azo dyes that may release any of the listed
(p.3) carcinogenic aromatic amines
Recyled fibers containing any of the listed aromatic amines was accepted
for shipment up to Dec.31,2K |
30ppm of any of the listed (p.3) aromatic amines |
| Sensitising disperse dyes |
Total ban for listed (p.3) dyes |
Formaldehyde
Baby wear (up to two years)
Underwear, all children's wear, scarves and other garments with skin
contact
Garments for adults without direct skin contact, for example outer
wear |
30 ppm
100ppm
300 ppm
|
| pH |
4,5<= ph <= 7,5 |
| Pentachlorophenol (PCP) |
5 ppm |
| Organic solvents |
1) <5% aromatic Hydrocarbons.
2)Non-chlorinated solvents. |
Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
Total ban for all product groups.
Temproray exceptions are rainwear, bags, leather imitation garment
and children's gloves but such PVC-products shall not be sold in any
shops after Dec 31,2001 |
Total Ban |
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|
Information about the chemicals restricted in Royal's Chemical Restrictions
|
| Prohibited AZO Dyes that may release carcinogenic
or suspected carcinogenic aromatic armines |
| Normal
Limit: |
30
ppm of any of the amines listed on p.3 in Royal Chemical Restrictions.
|
| Descriptions: |
Aromatic
amines can be a part of the molecular structure in an azo dye. The
MAK commission in Germany has classified about 20 aromatic amines
to be carcinogenic or suspected carcinogenic. |
| Field
of applications: |
Azo
dyes. |
| In
case of exceeded limit: |
Another
dye needs to be used in production. |
| Alternative
dyes: |
Reactive
dyes among others. |
| Test
method & standards: |
According
to the standard complying with the
"Bedarfsgegenständeverordnung"
Textiles in general:Method B 82.02-2,January 1998
Textiles from polyester (PES):Method 82.02-3(comparable to DIN 53316) |
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| Sensitising
Disperse Dyes |
| Normal
Limit: |
Total
ban for any of the disperse dyes listed on p.3 in Royal's Chemical
Restrictions |
| Descriptions: |
Some
disperse dyes are sensitising and can cause allergy and rashes. |
| Field
of applications: |
For
dyeing mainly polyester fibers but also polyamide and acetate |
| In
case of exceeded limit: |
Another
dye needs to be used in productions |
| Alternative
dyes: |
Disperse
dye not mentioned in enclosed list. |
| Test
method & standards: |
In-house
method with HPLC, no standard method avilable. |
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| Formaldehyde |
| Normal
Limit: |
30
ppm for toys and baby's wear (upto two years)
100 ppm for underwear, all children's wear, scarves and other garment
with skin contact.
300 ppm for garment for adults without skin contactr, for example
outer wear. |
| Descriptions: |
Formaldehyde
is a volatile, colourless gas that is present in small amounts in
the atmosphere, tobacco smoke, glue, pollution. Due to its volatility,
formaldehyde is "contagious". If you place a garment with
formaldehyde, the other garment will alsobecome "infected".Formaldehyde
can cause allegy, irritation and eczema. Fabric samples for testing
need to be packed separately in plastic bags. |
| Field
of applications: |
Formaldehyde
can be used for pre-shrinkage and pre-crinkle treatment, for fixztion
or preservation fo dyes and prints a.s.o. |
| In
case of exceeded limit: |
A
wash will reduce the amount of formaldehyde in the fabric. |
| Alternative
dyes: |
Use
formaldehyde free printing and products free from or with low content
of formaldehyde. |
| Test
method & standards: |
SFS
4996 or other validated test methods. |
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|
| pH |
| Buyers
limit: |
4,5<=
pH <=7,5 |
| Descriptions: |
pH
is a measure of free hydrogen ions in a solutions. The pH-value represent
the acidity of the solutions. A low value shows an acidic solution
and a high value shows a alkaline solution. A high ph (more than 7,5)
can cause skin sensitivity like rashes or irritation. A very high
pH (more than 9) can cause burns on the human skin. Also a low pH
value can cause skin irritations. |
| Field
of applications: |
The
various chemicals and processes in the textile and garment production,
as well as in garment washing and finishing, will effect the final
pH-value. |
| In
case of exceeded limit: |
>7,5-rinse
the fabric or garment with normal water or acidic water.To make the
water become acidic, diluted formic acid or diluted acetic acid can
be used.
<4,5-wash the fabric or garment with detergent. |
| Test
method & standard: |
ISO
3071-1980 or other validated methods. |
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| Pentachlorophenol(PCP)
|
| Buyers
limit: |
5
ppm |
| Description: |
PCP
is an organic compound mostly used for its mouldicide properties.
The most important reason for banning PCP is that the combustion of
PCP will release dioxins known as some of the most toxic substances
in the world, PCP may also be cancer inducing. |
| Field
of application: |
PCP
is sometimes used to prevent mould when growing cotton and when storing/transporting
fabrics. PCP can also be used as a preservative in print pastas. |
| In
case of exceeded limit: |
it
is not possible to improve a fabric containing too much PCP. |
| Test
method & standard: |
DIN
53313 or other validated test methods. |
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| Organic
Solvents |
| Buyers
limit: |
1)
Organic solvents must not contain > 5% of aromatic hydrocarbons.
2) No chlorinated organic solvents are allowed. |
| Description: |
Organic
solvents are volatile and have usually a strong smell. Inhalation
can effect the nervous system and also cause headache, the amount
of aromatic hydrocarbon increase this hazard. Many chlorinated organic
solvents made of aromatic hydrocarbons: Benzene, Toluene and Xylene. |
| Field
of application: |
Organic
solvents can be used to solve/dilute fats, oils, printing pastas and
glue. |
| In
case of exceeded limit: |
Water
based processes. Other organic solvents that are neither aromatic
nor chlorinated like acetone, cyclohexane or hepthane |
| Test
method & standard: |
GC-MS
and /or head space analysis. No standard method available. |
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| Polyvinylchloride
(PVC) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban for PVC products. |
| Description: |
PVC
is a plastic that can be soft or hard, transparent or colored. Many
of the compounds involved in PVC production and in the ready PVC-
product are toxic or suspected to be toxic. |
| Field
of application: |
In
the textile industry PVC is used for soft plastic accessoriews like
badges or zip pullers, as coating on textiles for rainwear, as prints
a.s.o. |
| Alternative
plastic: |
Polyethylene
(PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylenevinylacetate (PEVA), Polystyrene
(PS), Polyurethane (PU), Polyethyleneteraphthalate (PET), silicone,
polyacrylate, polyacetate are all acceptable alternatives. |
| Test
method & standard: |
Infrared
spectrosccopy (IR) or other validated test methods. |
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| Phthalates |
| Buyers
limit |
Total
Ban |
| Description: |
Studies
have shown that phthalates can migrate from a plastic in to the body
if a child sucks or chews on the plastic. Phthalates are suspected
to be carcinogenic and to disturb the hormone system. |
| Field
of application: |
Used
as softener (plastiziser) in plastics and other products. Up to 50%
of a soft PVC plastic can be a phthalate softener. |
| Alternative
softener: |
Softeners
that don't contains short- or long-chained phthalates. One example:
alkyl sulphonic acid esther of phenol |
| Test
method & standard: |
In-house
method with GC-MS, no standard method available. |
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| Nickel
(Ni) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Maximum
release of 0,5 ug/cm2 and week for metals with skin contact. |
| Description: |
Nickel
(Ni) is a metal that can cause contact dermatitis. A large part of
the population is allergic to Ni. |
| Field
of application: |
Ni
is mainly used for improving the corrosion resistance in alloys and
also for improving the hardness of alloys. It can also occur as an
impurity. |
| In
case of exceeded limit: |
A
Ni-free alloy shall be used. |
| Alternative
metals: |
If
not a very hard alloy is needed, Aluminum (Al) can be an alternative.
If a hard alloy is needed, Cu/Mn/Zn (Cooper.Manganese/Zinc) or Fe/Cu/Sn
(Iron/Copper/Tin) alloys may be used. |
| Test
method & standard: |
Nickel
release according to EN1811.
For samples with lacquer coating: EN12472. |
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| Cadmium
(Cd) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban for adding Cadmium (Cd ) to the production process. For plastic
products the limit for Cd is 50 ppm in the ready product. |
| Description: |
Cd
is a toxic metal and it can cause kideny damage, anaemia and skeleton
fragility. Cd is also harmful for the environment and the animal life. |
| Field
of application: |
Cd
is used in some pigments and also as a stabliser for PVC plastic.
Cd has also been found in fertilisers and biocides. |
| Alternative
products: |
Cd
free pigments must be used.
Stabilisers based on calcium-zinc or barium-zinc. |
| Test
method & standard: |
Total
metal content of Cd in plastics according to ENV1122 or other validated
methods. |
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| Lead
(Pb) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban for adding Lead (Pb) to the production process. |
| Description: |
Pb
is a toxic metal that easily accumulates in liver, kideny, spleen
and the skeleton. Pb poisoning can lead to anaemia among other diseases. |
| Field
of application: |
Pb
can be used as stablises for plastics or as a component in metal alloys.
Some pigments for textiles or surface paints on zippers and accessories
can contain Pb as well as prints on plastic products. Pb can also
be present as a contamination from the textile fibre production |
| Test
method & standard: |
Total
metal content. |
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| Mercury
(Hg) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban for adding Mercury (Hg ) to the production process. |
| Description: |
Hg
is a toxic metal that easily accumulates in muscles and nervous system
in humans and animals. Hg can cause skin irritation as well. |
| Field
of application: |
Hg
can be present in pesticides and can also be found as contamination
in caustic soda (NaOH) |
| Test
method & standard: |
Total
metal content. |
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| Chromium
(Cr) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban for adding Chromium (Hg ) to the process in textile and palstic
production.
For Chromium VI (Cr6+) there is a total ban for traces
in the ready product. |
| Description: |
Cr
is a heavy metal that can cause skin irritations and allergy. It may
also be cancer inducing in high amounts and it is also environmentally
harmful. Cr6+ is the most poisonous form of Cr and it is
classified as carcinogenic. |
| Field
of application: |
Cr
can be used as a dyeing additive or as a dye-fixating agent. It can
also be used for after treatments in ordes to improve colour fastness. |
| Test
method & standard: |
Total
metal content for analysing Cr.
DIN 53314 or other validated methods for analysing Cr6+ |
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| Antimony
(Sb), Arsenic (As), Cobalt (Co), Tin (Sn) and Barium (Ba) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban for adding these elements and their compounds to the textile,
leather and plastic production. |
| Description: |
These
elements can be toxic, irritating and environmentally harmful. |
| Field
of application: |
Used
in pigments, stabilisers, and biocides for example. |
| Test
method & standard: |
Total
metal content. |
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| Polychlorinated
biphenyl's (PCB) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban for adding PCB to the production process. |
| Description: |
PCB's
are big molecules contaning many chlorine atoms. The chlorine atoms
help to make the PCB molecules stable and therefor they can easily
accumulate in organisms and in the environment. Effects on the hormone
system, liver, immune- and nervous system have been observed. When
PCB is burnt there is a risk that so called chlorinated dibensofurans
are formed. These compounds are even more toxic than PCB's and are
chemically similar to dioxins. |
| Field
of application: |
PCB's
are used as softeners, carriers, flame-retardants and pesticides.
|
| Test
method & standard: |
According
to the standard complying with the "Bedarfsgegenständeverordnung"
GC-ECD Method: B 80.56-1 or other validated methods. |
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| Nonylphenolethoxylates
(NFE) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban |
| Description: |
NFE
is included in the group of surfactants called alkylphenol ethoxylates.
NFE can irritate the skin and the respiratory passages and is also
suspected to effect the hormone system in organisms. NFE is considered
as environmentally harmful since it is a stable compound that is not
easily biodegradable. |
| Field
of application: |
NFE
is used as a detergent, wetting agent, emulsifier/dispersion agent
for aolours and prints, impregnating agent. |
| Test
method & standard: |
In-house
method with GC-MS, there is no test standard available. |
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| Distearyldimethylammoniumchloride
(DSDMAC) |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban |
| Description: |
DSDMAC
belongs to the group "quaternary ammonium salts" and works
as a cation tenside. High concentrations of DSDMAC can give skin irritations
but it is mostly due to its environmentally harmful qualities it should
not be used . DSDMAC is very poisonous for organisms living in the
water and it is not easily biodegradable. |
| Field
of application: |
DSDMAC
is used in the textile industry as a softener and antistatic agent.
|
| Test
method & standard: |
In-house
method with HPLC, there is no test standard available. |
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| Flame-retardants |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban for brominated or chlorinated flame-retardants(ex. PBB, PBDE,
TRIS, TCEP, chloroparaffines) |
| Description: |
Brominated
or chlorinated flames-retardants are stable compounds and some of
themcan be accumulated in the environment. The compounds are suspected
to effect the immune system and the reproductive system. |
| Field
of application: |
To
prevent materials from burning too-easily. |
| Alternative
flame-retardants: |
Preferably
no flame-retardants shall be used at all, but if it is absolutely
necessary PROBAN® or PYROVATEX® may be used. |
| Test
method & standard: |
In-house
method with GC-MS/HPLC. No standard method available. |
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| Chlorinated
carriers |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban for chlorobenzene, chlorotoluenes and chloronaphtalene carriers.
|
| Description: |
Chlorinated
carrier can effect the nervous system and might also have an irritating
effect on the skin and the mucous membranes. Many chlorinated carriers
are stable and will not be decomposed in the nature; they will be
integrated in the bodies of animals and humans. |
| Field
of application: |
Chlorinated
carriers are used in the dyeing process of polyester of wool/polyester
fibers. |
| Alternative
Method: |
Carriers
are not needed if a higher temperature and a higher pressure is used
in the dyeing process. |
| Test
method & standard: |
In-house
method with GC-MS. No standard method available. |
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| Cholorinated
bleaching agents |
| Buyers
limit: |
Total
ban |
| Description: |
When
chlorinated bleaching agents are used there is a risk that non-biodegradable
compounds are formed in the wastewater. High concentration of chlorine
in the ready product can cause skin irritation. |
| Field
of application: |
Used
for bleaching textiles. |
| Alternative
bleaching agent: |
Hydrogenperoxide/Oxygen
bleach. |
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| Monomers |
| Buyers
limit: |
Only
low, undetectable amounts are allowed in the ready product. |
| Description: |
Monomers
are the building components of a plastic material. Many unreacted
monomers are carcinogenic and they can migrate from the plastic and
come in contact with the body. |
| Field
of application: |
As
starting material in plastic production. |
| Comment: |
If
the production process is well functioning, there will not be any
monomers left in the ready product. |
| Test
method & standard: |
According
to the standards complying with the
"Bedarfsgegenständeverordnung"
Method for acrylnitril monomers with headspace GC-TID: B 80.68-1
Method for vinylchloride monomer with headspace GC-MS: B 80.32-1 (EG)
or other validated test methods. |
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