Comments to draft REACH restriction of CMR substances in textiles

Consumers are in frequent, and often prolonged, direct skin contact with clothes and other textile products such as bed linen, carpets and towels. The presence in textiles of chemicals known to cause cancer, change DNA or harm reproductive health is therefore of significant concern.

The present proposal however only covers a small fraction of the harmful chemicals used in textiles; a systematic,
comprehensive approach to regulate all chemicals in textiles is needed to protect consumers.

We recommend that the present proposal is amended to ensure: 

• Better protection of infants and small children;

• Continuous, and regular, updates to the list of restricted substances and to applicable concentration limits; and

• Disposable textiles are included within the scope of the restriction.