Oeko-Tex expands Standard 100 criteria
14/10/2011
These chemicals are used as surfactants in textile production processes. Recent independent studies have found residual nonylphenol ethoxylates in environmental samples and textile products from China, leading to a campaign by non-governmental organisation Greenpeace urging prominent sports and fashion brands this summer to take action. While nonylphenol ethoxylates currently are not known to pose direct health hazards for people wearing clothing manufactured with these chemicals, Oeko-Tex has said, the significant environmental risks associated with this class of chemical are broadly acknowledged. Nonylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenol do not degrade if released in the environment and can accumulate and contaminate the human food supply chain.
The European Union has regulated the industrial use of nonylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenol since 2003. The EU’s REACh Directive incorporated these regulations in Annex XVII and limits the amount of nonylphenol ethoxylate and nonylphenol as a substance or component in preparations to 0.1% by mass. The US Environmental Protection Agency has also encouraged voluntary phase-out and is considering regulatory actions against use of these surfactants.
Oeko-Tex will now include tests for nonylphenol, nonylphenol(1-9) ethoxylates, octylphenol and octylphenol(1-2) ethoxylates in its requirements for Standard 100 certification. Beginning January 2012, the new testing parameters and limit values will be added to the criteria catalogue and certificate holders will be expected to comply with these new requirements by April 1, 2013. The newly proposed limit values for this class of chemicals are:
nonylphenol: 100 ppm
octylphenol: 100 ppm
total nonylphenol(1-9) ethoxylates: 1000 ppm
total octylphenol(1-2) ethoxylates: 1000 ppm
Companies that have existing Oeko-Tex Standard 1000 certification already meet these requirements.
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