REGIONAL TRAINING
WORKSHOP ON
ECOLABELLING
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
19th – 20th August 2010
Module : Textiles
Introduction of the EU
Flower Criteria
Rahul Bhajekar
Managing Director,
Texanlab Laboratories Pvt Ltd.
India
Agenda
1. Introduction / participants
2. Key documents and Eco-label website
3. Eco-label criteria for Textiles
4. Application process for EU Eco-label
5. Exercises
6. Legislation and the EU Flower
/3
Introduction (s)

Who are we ?

What are we doing here ?
2. Relevant documents
 A) Criteria document
 B) User Manual / Application pack
 C) How to find documents, contacts, news,
other license keepers, potential customers at
the webpage
/5
2 A) Criteria document
 Available in different languages
 Consists of two parts:
The Commission decision
Product group definition
Validity information
Annex
Framework
Criteria
/6
2 A) Criteria
 First issued 2002, valid until 2007
 Extended in 2007
 Extended in 2008
 CURRENT CRITERIA : 9 July 2009,
2009/567/EC
/7
2 B) User Manual / Application Pack
 Help & guidance, prefabricated declarations
(including no-use)
 Part A: General
 Part B: Specific for textiles:
Description of the product
Fibres
Processes, chemicals and reporting energy and
water consumption
Fitness for use
Information on label
/8
2 B) User Manual / Application Pack
 Part B: Detailed information for applicants
The criterion
Exceptions
Assessment and verification
Test requirements
Requirements for applicants
/9
2 C) EU Ecolabel Website
 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/
 Information & Background
 Documents Download
 Application procedures
 Brochures
 Useful links
 FAQ
 Policies
/10
2 C) EU eco-label website
 www.eco-label.com
Search a Product
Search for Manufacturers
Browse Labelled Products
Take a Quiz !
/11
Questions?
/12
EU Flower Criteria for
Textiles : Basic
information
Basic Information
 Who can apply for the EU Eco-label ?
 How much does it cost ?
 Any discounts ?
 What products can get the Eco Label?
/14
Who can apply ?
Manufacturer
Importer
Services Provider (Agents)
Traders
Retailers
/15
What does it cost ?
Fees effective March 2010
Application
Fees
Annual Fees
Minimum
Maximum
Discounts
200 €
1 200 €
SME and
operators from developing
countries: 600 €
Micro-E: 350 €
20% if
registered
under EMAS
and/or ISO
14001
certified
-
1 500 €
SME and operators from
developing countries: 750 €
Micro-E: 350 €
-
/16
What are
Medium, Small & Micro Enterprises ?
< 250 Employees
Turnover < 40 Mio EUR
 Less than 50 employees
 Annual Turnover < 7 Mio EUR or
 Annual Balance Sheet < 5 Mio EUR
• Less than 10 employees
/17
EU Flower for textiles is applicable to :
 Products with min 90 % textile fibres
 Textile Clothing
 Accessories for Clothing (Handkerchiefs,
Scarves, Bags and Shopping Bags,
Rucksacks, Belts etc.
 Interior Textiles (excl wall and floor
coverings)
 Fibres, Yarn & Fabrics for above.
/18
90 % textile …
 Down, feathers, membranes and coatings
need not be taken into account in the
calculation of the percentage of textile fibres.
/19
3. The EU-Flower
Criteria for textiles
2009/567/EC
Part 1
Fibre Criteria
Criterion 1: Acrylic
(a) The residual acrylonitrile content in raw
fibres < 1,5 mg/kg.
(b) The emissions to air of acrylonitrile < 1
g/kg of fibre produced, expressed as an
annual average.
/22
Criterion 2: Cotton and other natural
cellulosic seed fibres (including kapok)
 Cotton and other natural cellulosic seed fibres
(hereinafter referred to as cotton) shall not
contain more than 0,05 ppm of different
pesticides mentioned.
 No pesticide tests if > 50 % of the cotton
content is organically grown cotton or
transitional cotton.
 No pesticide tests if > 75% identified farmers
with no use of the mentioned pesticides.
/23
Criterion 2 (Cotton) – Use of Organic Cotton
 For > 95 % certified organic cotton, allowed to
write ‘organic cotton’ next to the eco-label.
 For between 70 & 95 % certified organic
cotton, allowed to write “made with x%
organic cotton”.
/24
Criterion 3: Elastane
 (a) Organotin compounds shall not be used.
 (b) The emissions (air) of aromatic
diisocyanates < 5 mg/kg of fibre produced,
expressed as an annual average.
/25
Criterion 4: Flax and other bast fibres
(including hemp, jute, and ramie)
 No water retting allowed, unless:
Effluent water is treated to reduce the COD/
TOC by at least
 75 % (for hemp)
 95 % (for flax and the other bast fibres)
/26
Criterion 5: Greasy wool and other keratin
fibres (including wool from sheep, camel,
alpaca, goat)
 Restrictions on sum total content of specified
pesticides on raw wool.
 No pesticide test if > 75% identified farmers
with no use of the mentioned pesticides.
 Scouring effluent discharge restrictions also
apply.
/27
Criterion 5 (wool) - continued
Scouring effluent discharged :
 COD < 60 g/kg greasy wool, and
 the effluent shall be treated off-site with > 75 %
reduction of COD, expressed as an annual average.
Scouring effluent treated on site and discharged to
surface waters:
 COD < 5 g/kg greasy wool
 pH 6 - 9
 temperature < 40 °C
/28
Criterion 6: Man-made cellulose fibres
(including viscose, lyocell, acetate, cupro, triacetate)
 (a) AOX in the fibres < 250 ppm.
 (b) Viscose:
Sulphur content of the emissions of sulphur
compounds to air < 120 g/kg filament fibre
produced and < 30 g/kg staple fibre produced,
expressed as an annual average.
/29
Criterion 6 (cellulose) - continued
 (c) Viscose:
Zinc emission (water) < 0,3 g/kg, expressed
as an annual average.
 (d) Cupro fibres:
copper content of the effluent water leaving
the site < 0,1 ppm, expressed as an annual
average.
/30
Criterion 7: Polyamide
N2O emissions (air):
 < 10 g/kg polyamide 6 fibre produced
 < 50 g/kg polyamide 6,6 produced
expressed as an annual average.
/31
Criterion 8: Polyester
 Antimony in the polyester fibres < 260 ppm.
Where no antimony is used, the applicant
may state ‘antimony free’ (or equivalent text)
next to the eco-label.
/32
Criterion 8 (polyester)–continued
 (b) VOC emissions < 1,2 g/kg of produced
polyester resin, expressed as an annual
average.
/33
Criterion 9: Polypropylene
 Lead-based pigments shall not be used.
/34
Part 2
Processes and
chemicals
Firstly
 The following criteria apply to all stages of
production of the product.
 But recycled fibres may contain some of the
dyes or other substances excluded by these
criteria, if from their previous life-cycle.
/36
Criterion 10: Auxiliaries and finishing agents
for fibres and yarns
Sizing compounds
 At least 95 % of formulation shall be
sufficiently biodegradable or recycled
 Sum of all components of the formulation to
be taken into account.
/37
Criterion 10: (Auxiliaries) - cont
Spinning auxiliaries and additives used in
primary spinning
 At least 90 % components should be
sufficiently biodegradable or eliminable.
 Content of PAH must be less than 3 % in
mineral oil used.
/38
Criterion 11: Biocidal or biostatic
products
 Ban on use of
Chlorophenols
PCB’s
Organotin compounds
during transportation or storage of finished or
unfinished goods.
/39
Criterion 12: Stripping or
depigmentation
Ban on use of
 Heavy metal salts (except of iron)
 Formaldehyde
/40
Criterion 13: Weighting
 Compounds of cerium shall not be used in the
weighting of yarn or fabrics.
/41
Criterion 14: Auxiliary chemicals
Preparations/formulations may not contain:
 APEOs
 LAS
 DTDMAC
 DSDMAC
 DHTDMAC
 EDTA
 DTPA
/42
Criterion 15: Detergents, fabric softeners and
complexing agents
At each wet-processing site, at least 95 % by
weight of :
 detergents,
 fabric softeners
 complexing agents
shall be degradable / eliminable.
(Surfactants used must be ultimately biodegradable,
aerobically)
/43
Criterion 16: Bleaching agents
 Chlorine bleach not to be used.
 This requirement does not apply to the
production of man-made cellulose fibres
(viscose, acetate, lyocell etc.)
 Section 6.1 requirement, AOX to be less than
250 ppm is however applicable.
/44
Criterion 17: Impurities in dyes
 The levels of ionic impurities in the dyes used
shall not exceed the following:
Ag
100 ppm
Hg
4 ppm
As
50 ppm;
Mn
1 000 ppm
Ba
100 ppm
Ni
200 ppm
Cd
20 ppm
Pb
100 ppm
Co
500 ppm
Se
20 ppm
Cr
100 ppm
Sb
50 ppm
Cu
250 ppm
Sn
250 ppm
Fe
2 500 ppm
Zn
1 500 ppm
/45
Criterion 18: Impurities in pigments
 The levels of ionic impurities for pigments
used shall not exceed the following:
As
Ba
50 ppm
100 ppm
Pb
Se
100 ppm
100 ppm
Cd
Cr
Hg
50 ppm
100 ppm
25 ppm
Sb
Zn
250 ppm
1 000 ppm
/46
Criterion 19: Chrome mordant dyeing
 Chrome mordant dyeing is not allowed.
/47
Criterion 20: Metal complex dyes
 If metal complex dyes based on copper,
chromium or nickel are used:
 For Cellulose dyeing:
< 20 % of dyes shall be discharged to waste
water.
 For all other fibres
< 7 % of dyes shall be discharged to waste
water.
/48
Criterion 20: (metal complex dyes) cont
 Effluent discharge after treatment should not
contain more than
 75 mg/kg of Cu
 50 mg/kg of Cr
 75 mg/kg of Ni
 On weight of fibre, yarn or fabric
/49
Criterion 21: Azo dyes
 Dyes which cleave to form specified banned
amines should not be used.
/50
Criterion 22: Dyes that are carcinogenic,
mutagenic or toxic to reproduction
 (a) The following dyes shall not be used:
C.I. Basic Red 9
C.I. Disperse Blue 1
C.I. Acid Red 26
C.I. Basic Violet 14
C.I. Disperse Orange 11
C.I. Direct Black 38
C.I. Direct Blue 6
C.I. Direct Red 28
C.I. Disperse Yellow 3
/51
Criterion 22: (CMR dyes) – cont
No use of dye substances or of dye preparations
containing more than 0,1 % of substances with:
R40 (limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect)
R45 (may cause cancer)
R46 (may cause heritable genetic damage)
R49 (may cause cancer by inhalation)
R60 (may impair fertility)
R61 (may cause harm to the unborn child)
R62 (possible risk of impaired fertility)
R63 (possible risk of harm to the unborn child)
R68 (possible risk of irreversible effects)
/52
Criterion 23: Potentially sensitizing
dyes
 Specified disperse dyes cannot be used.
/53
Criterion 24: Halogenated carriers for
polyester
 Shall not be used.
/54
Criterion 25: Printing
 Printing pastes used shall not contain more
than 5 % VOCs.
 Plastisol-based printing is not allowed.
/55
Criterion 26: Formaldehyde
 The amount of formaldehyde in the final fabric
must be
 < 20 ppm for products meant for children
below 3 years
 < 30 ppm for products that come into direct
contact with the skin
 < 75 ppm for all other products.
/56
Criterion 27: Waste water discharges from
wet-processing
 Must have a COD content of less than 25
g/kg, expressed as an annual average.
(exceptions for wool and flax retting sites)
 pH must be between 4 and 6
 Temperature must be below 40°C unless
receiving water body has higher temperature.
/57
Criterion 28: Flame retardants
 Only chemically bound flame retardants are
permitted.
 No flame retardant with R phrase
classification of CMR will be used unless on
application they chemically change to a
compound not classified as CMR.
/58
Criterion 29: Anti Felting Finishes
 Halogenated substances or preparations are
only allowed for wool slivers or loose scoured
wool.
/59
Criterion 30: Finishes
 Formulations with components having CMR
Risk classification and above 0.1 % by weight
shall not be used.
/60
Criterion 31: Fillings
 Textile fibre criteria must be followed.
 Biocidal / Biostatic criteria (26) must be
followed.
 Detergents / auxiliaries used for washing
fillings should also satisfy relevant criteria (14)
/61
Criterion 32: Coatings, laminates and
membranes
 Polyurethane:
Fibre criteria for polyurethane (3a and 3b)
 Polyester:
Fibre criteria for polyester (8a and 8b) regarding
the emission of VOCs during polymerisation.
 No use of plasticizers / solvents with CMR risk
phrases during manufacture of chemicals.
 VOC emission must be < 10 g Cl/Kg.
/62
Criterion 33: Energy and water use
 The applicant is requested to provide detailed
information on water and energy use.
/63
Part 3
Fitness for use
General
The following criteria apply either to the
dyed yarn, the final fabric(s), or the final
product, with tests carried out as
appropriate.
/65
Criterion 34: Dimensional changes during
washing and drying
 Not to exceed
 ± 2 % for removable and washable curtains &
furniture fabrics
 -8%/+4% for other woven or knitted products and
terry towelling
/66
Criterion 34: Dimensional changes during
washing and drying
 This criterion does not apply to:
 fibres or yarn,
 products clearly labelled ‘dry clean only’
 furniture fabrics (not removable and
washable)
/67
Criterion 35: Colour fastness
to washing
 3-4 for staining and colour change.
 This criterion does not apply to :




products labelled ‘dry clean only’
white products
products that are neither dyed nor printed
non-washable furniture fabrics
/68
Criterion 36: Colour fastness to perspiration
(acid, alkaline)
 3-4 for staining and colour change.
 3 for dark colours and regenerated wool or 20 % +
silk.
 This criterion does not apply to:




products that are neither dyed nor printed
furniture fabrics
curtains
similar textiles intended for interior decoration.
/69
Criterion 37: Colour fastness
to wet rubbing
 2-3
 2 for indigo dyed denim
This criterion does not apply to:
 white products
 products neither dyed nor printed
/70
Criterion 38: Colour fastness
to dry rubbing
4
 3-4 for indigo dyed denim.
This criterion does not apply to:
 white products
 products neither dyed nor printed
 curtains
 similar textiles intended for interior decoration
/71
Criterion 39: Colour fastness
to light
 5 for furniture, curtain or drape fabrics
 4 for light coloured fabrics with 20 % or more of
wool, silk or bast fibres
 4 for others
This requirement does not apply to:
 mattress ticking
 mattress protection
 underwear
/72
Criterion 40: Information appearing on the
eco-label
 Following text must be used in Box 2 :
 Encouraging use of sustainable fibres
 Durable and High Quality
 Hazardous Substances Restricted.
/73
Questions ?
APPLICATION FORM &
USER MANUAL
Is also downloadable from
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/
ecolabel/ecolabelled_products/
categories/textiles_en.htm
Application Pack Part A
Common for all – not just for textiles
General Information.
/76
Application Pack Part B
Specifically for textiles.
5 Chapters
General Information
Fibre Criteria
Process & Chemicals Criteria
Fitness for Use
Ecolabel Rules
/77
Let us go through the
application form …
Part A
 Applicant’s name & contact details
 Classification of applicant (manufacturer,
importer, agent etc.)
 Manufacturing location details
 Product Information
Specifications
Est. Annual sales in the EU of this product, ex
factory.
/79
Part A, contd.
 Information about previous applications made
for this product.
 Undertaking confirming that applicant will sign
a contract for use of Eco Label on the product,
if successful.
 Declarations & documentation regarding
micro, small, medium enterprises.
 Signatures
/80
Part B (Textile Specific)
 Chapter 1 : General Information
/81
Chapter 1, Section 1-1
 Product Description
 Trade Name
 Type of Product
 Identification / Reference Numbers
 Description (fibre type etc.)
 Agent details
/82
Chapter 1, Section 1-2
• Use of Chemicals and Suppliers
 Declaration regarding use of only listed
chemicals in application.
• 1-2a : System Flow Diagram
 Identify all stages of manufacture (fibre to
product)
 Identify all suppliers at each stage of
manufacture
/83
Chapter 1, Section 1-2
• 1-2b : List of Suppliers & Details.
• 1-2c : List of Chemicals / Trade names etc.
• 1-2d : Declarations from Chemical
Suppliers
/84
Chapter 2 : Fibres Criteria
 Specific requirements for each fibre.
(already covered in earlier presentations)
 Example : Cotton products
Section 2-2 is applicable.
/85
Section 2-2 Cotton / Cellulosic Seed
Fibres
 Conventional Cotton
• Pesticide Residues: Test report and Declaration
• Transitional Organic Cotton
• Pesticide Residues: Test report, Declaration &
Certification
• Organic Cotton
• Pesticide Residues : Declaration & Certification
/86
Section 2-8 : Polyester Fibre
 Antimony content : Declaration & Test Report
 VOC in manufacture : Declaration,
Documentation / Test reports
/87
Chapter 3 : Processes & Chemicals
 3-10,14m : Supplier Declaration for
 biodegradability,
 polyaromatic hydrocarbons,
 mineral oils,
 APEOs, surfactants
 MSDS
/88
Section 3-11 for biocides
 Declaration from Supplier : chlorophenols,
PCB and organotins.
 Test reports for chlorophenols, PCB and
organotins in yarn, fabric, final products
/89
Section 3-14 - Surfactants
 Declaration for non-use of certain surfactants
such as APEOs etc.
 Declaration for biodegradability of
detergents, softeners and complexing agents
from manufacturers.
 MSDS for chemicals used.
/90
Section 3-17 to 3-25 Colourants
• 3-17, 18 : Declaration on Heavy Metal
Content
• 3-21 : Declaration on Banned Amines
• 3-22 : Declaration & MSDS on Carcinogenic,
Toxic and Mutagenic Dyes
• 3-23 : Declaration for Potentially sensitizing
Dyes, Test Report for Perspiration Fastness.
• 3-24 : Declaration for Halogenated Carriers
for Polyester
/91
Section 3-17 to 3-25 Colourants (contd)
• 3-25a : Declaration for VOC in printing
pastes
• 3-25b : Declaration for no use of plastisol
/92
3-26 : Formaldehyde in Final Product
 Test Report for final product.
/93
3-27 : Waste water discharge
 Test reports for COD : discharge water after
treatment : to demonstrate annual average
values.
 Both in-house and CETP are covered.
 Declaration regarding treatment of waste
water.
/94
3-30 : Finishes
 Declarations regarding no use of finishing
materials with specific R-Phrases.
 MSDS for all chemicals used.
/95
3-33 : Energy & Water Use
 Provide data regarding use of energy and
water in manufacturing at all stages
 This is a Voluntary requirement.
/96
Chapter 4 : Fitness for Use Criteria
 Relevant test reports / declarations as
required by the criteria should be provided.
/97
Where can my products be tested?
 Verifications should be carried out by reliable
laboratories with experience of the relevant
product group. Applicants may use test
centres which are:
accredited under the requirements of ISO 17025 or
equivalent standards.
/98
Questions ?
Some Fun Exercises
…
Exercise 1
Tasteful Textiles
want to sell bed linen
with the EU Flower
Exercise 1
 Purpose of the exercise:
 How to use the application form & pack in
practice.
 Which criteria are relevant for the product type ?
 What documentation is required ?
/102
Exercise 1 : Parameters
 “Tasteful Textiles” want the Flower on bed
linen. They are based in India.
 All manufacturing is done in India /
Bangladesh
 Reliable Dyers is a dye-house using:




CI Blue 1, CI Yellow 2, CI Green 3
Formic Acid
Finish “Super Soft XL 19”
No Azo dyes, metal complex dyes or chrome
mordant dyeing.
/103
Exercise 1 : Parameters
 “Super Sew” is the sewing company:
 each pillow case weight 100 grams, 2 buttons
 each duvet cover weight 700 grams, 4 buttons
 Buttons: three and weight 5 grams each.
 “Fantastic Fabrics” is the weaving company:
 Fabric is made of 93% cotton, 2% Elastane and
5% polyester
 They use a chemical “Fantastic Size 007”.
/104
Exercise 1: Questions
1. Can the product be eco-labelled?
2. Which competent body should they approach ?
3. Which company must document which criteria?
4. How must the relevant criteria be documented?
5. Are there ways to make some of the documentation
easier?
e.g. by changing something in the way the fabric is
composed?
/105
Supplier 1:
Cotton
?
(?)
Supplier 2:
Elastane
?
(?)
Working Grid
Other relevant information:
Chemicals:
Supplier 4:
Weaver
Fantastic Fabrics
Bangladesh
Supplier 5:
Dyer
Reliable Dyers
India
Pillow: 100g + 2 buttons á
5g
Duvet cover: 700g + 4
buttons á 5g
Buttons are made of tree
Supplier 3:
Polyester
?
(?)
Fantastic Size 007
Blue 1
Yellow 2
Green 3
Formic acid
Super Soft
Supplier 6:
Sewer
Super Sew
India
Supplier 5:
Applicant
Tasteful Textiles
India
/106
Exercise 1: Solutions
 Can the product be eco-labelled? Why /
why not?
 Yes, because it is over 90% textile fibres
 Pillow: 100g/110g = 0,909 = 90,9%
 Duvet cover: 700g/720g = 0,972 = 97,2%
/107
Answers
 Question 2: To which competent body
must the application be sent?
 The company can choose the competent
body that they want. Else, to the country
where their largest sales happen.
/108
Exercise 1: Solutions
Question 3: Which company must document
which criteria?
Supplier 1: Criterion 2 (cotton), since 93%
Supplier 2: None (since under 5%)
Supplier 3: Criterion 8 (polyester), since 5%
Supplier 4: Criteria 10 (auxiliaries and finishing
agents for fibres and yarns) and 14 (auxiliary
chemicals) for the size
/109
Exercise 1: Solutions
Question 3: Continued
Supplier 5:
 criteria 14 (auxiliary chemicals) for the helping
chemicals (Formic acid and Super Soft 007),
 criterion 15 (fabric softeners) for the softener (Super
Soft 007),
 criteria 17 (impurities in dyes), 22 (dyes that are
CMS), 23 (sensitizing dyes) and 24 (halogenated
carriers for polyester) for the dyes
 criterion 27 (waste water discharges from wetprocessing) for their waste water.
/110
Exercise 1: Solutions
Question 3: Continued
Supplier 6: none
Supplier 5 (as applicant): Responsible for all the
criteria – either document that the criteria are not
relevant or make sure that there are documentation.
 26 (formaldehyde),
 33 (voluntary energy and water use),
 40 (information on the eco-label)
 all the fitness for use criteria are relevant
/111
Exercise 1: Solutions
Question 4: How must the relevant criteria be
documented? (include the page nos. as given in
the user manual and what should be attached
with the various declarations)
 For criterion 2 (cotton): page 19-25
depending on what type of cotton it is….
 For criterion 8 (polyester): page 49-51
/112
Exercise 1: Solutions
 Question 4: Continued
 For criterion 10 (auxiliaries and finishing
agents for fibres and yarns): page 56-58
 For criterion 14 (auxiliary chemicals) and 15
(fabric softeners): page 65-68
 For criteria 17 (impurities in dyes), 22 (dyes
that are CMS), 23 (sensitizing dyes), 24
(halogenated carriers for polyester) and 26
(formaldehyde): page 70-87
/113
Exercise 1: Solutions
Question 4: Continued.
 For criterion 27 (waste water discharges from
wet-processing): page 88-90
 For criterion 33 (voluntary energy and water
use): page 103
 For criteria 34 (dimensional changes), 35 (colour
fastness to washing), 36 (colour
fastness to
perspiration), 37 (colour fastness to wet rubbing),
38 (colour fastness to dry rubbing) and 39 (colour
fastness to light): page 104-109
/114
Exercise 1: Solutions
Question 4: Continued.
 For criterion 40 (information on the eco-label):
page 110
 But for the applicant also all other criteria need to
be documented – at least by “no use (in this case
e.g. criterion 20 (metal complex dyes))” or “not
relevant in the production process (in this case
e.g. criterion 25 (printing))” – AND all the general
application forms (page 7-16).
/115
Additional pointIf Tasteful Textiles were to use
 Fabric with less than 5 % Polyester
 Or use certified organic cotton
Their job would be easier !
/116
Second Point
 Should Tasteful Textiles change their product
range by adding
 New Dyes for new colour range
 Printed designs
 A different Fabric Composition
 Can they still use the EU Flower Eco
Label ?
/117
NO !
But they can approach their
competent body with additional data,
documentation and information to
ask for an extended certification.
/118
Chemical legislation
relevant for
textiles
Main Legislations
 REACH
 Azo Dyes
 Nickel
 Formaldehyde
/120
Others of interest
 Phthalates
 Heavy Metals (Lead / Cadmium)
 APEOs
 Flame Retardants
 Chlorinated Phenols
/121
REACH: Definition of article
Article:
means an object which during production
is given a special shape, surface or
design which determines its function to a
greater degree than does its chemical
composition
/122
REACH: Registration
Registration of a substance in articles is
mandatory for an article producer or importer
only if the following two conditions are met:
 Intended release
 > 1 tonne per year.
/123
REACH: Notification
Notification of a substance in articles is required
by an article producer or importer when all of
the following conditions are met:
 At the candidate list
 > 0.1% (w/w)
 > 1 tonne per year
/124
REACH: SVHC
A list over the substances of very high concern
(SVHC) is to be found in Annex XIV or at the
candidate list to Annex XIV.
The following categories of substances are
candidates for Annex XIV (see article 57):
 CMR
 PBT & vPvB
 endocrine disrupting
/125
Azo dyes
 release one or more of the aromatic
amines listed in the appendix
 concentrations above 30 ppm
(in the finished articles or in the dyed
parts thereof)
 come into direct and prolonged
contact with the human skin or oral
cavity
/126
Questions ?
The Label for Textiles
The Application Process
made Simple !
The 6 application steps
 Check if your product is eligible
 Check if you are eligible
 Decide your Competent Body
 Complete the Application Form
 Create the dossier
 Send in your Application
/129
Step 1
Check if your product is eligible:

Confirm that your product comes under
one of the product groups included in the
scheme.

Go to http://ec.europa.eu/ecolabel and
choose “product groups” on the menu on the
left.
/130
Step 2
Check if you are eligible :
Manufacturers, importers and service
providers can all apply for the Flower.
Traders and retailers can also apply, but
only for products marketed under their own
brand names
/131
Step 3
Contact a Competent Body:
Your Competent Body (CB) is the national
organization responsible for the application of the
European Eco-label in the European country where
your product is made.
If the product is made outside Europe, contact a
CB in the European country where the product is
sold
Go to http://europa.eu.int/ecolabel and choose “contact
& links” on the menu on the left.
/132
Step 4
Complete the Application Form:
 Form will be provided by your CB
 Follow the instructions provided by your CB
 Fill in the administrative documents.
 Complete a dossier of supporting
documentation (compliance, declarations, test
results).
This will take you the longest time !!
/133
Next ?
SUBMIT THE COMPLETED FORM
WITH ALL DOCUMENTATION TO
THE CB
Recap : What are competent bodies ?
 Competent Bodies are independent and
impartial organisations, responsible for
implementing the EU Ecolabel scheme at
national level.
/135
Choice of Competent Body
 For non European Applicant - any one, your
choice. But typically the one where your
products would be sold the most.
 For a Europe based applicant – body of the
country of manufacture or the largest country
of sale.
/136
Few Guidance Points :
 Download an application pack
 Scrutinize requirements to find if you will
qualify
 Appoint a leader for the project
 Decide on a competent body to approach
 Approach the CB and start contact.
 Gather information & data as required.
 Obtain test reports as required
 Build your dossier
/137
Further …
 Take help of experts as necessary.
 Send in your application pack with fees
 Expect an audit team from the EU
 On a successful audit, await certification.
/138
IMPORTANT !
 None of the requirements are negotiable –
these are written into EU Law and cannot be
changed.
 Criteria has been designed to ensure only the
top products qualify – this is not for all.
/139
The EU Flower – an Ideal Sustainability Tool
 Covers all textile fibres
 Covers all processes in manufacture
 Covers Social Aspects as well
 Covers Work Environment
 Covers Waste Management
 Covers Energy Management
 Covers Chemical Restrictions
 Covers Product Performance
/140
Best of Luck !
Hope some of you will look to be
EU Flower Certified later this
year !
Thank you.
www.texanlab.com
rahul.bhajekar@texanlab.com
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Texanlab Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., R-855 1st Floor, TTC Industrial Area Rabale, PO Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai 400701.
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