Consultation on a possible restriction of hazardous substances (CMR 1A and 1B) in textile articles and clothing for consumer use

Details

Status: Closed
Opening date: 22 October 2015
Deadline: 22 March 2016, 00:00 (CET)
Department: Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Target audience

All citizens and organisations are welcome to contribute to this consultation.

In particular, contributions are sought from companies and organisations potentially concerned with the proposed restriction.

Why we are consulting

Article 68(2) of REACH provides a simplified procedure, which the Commission may use to restrict substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR), categories 1A and 1B on their own, in mixtures or in articles that could be used by consumers. The procedure differs from the standard restriction procedure of Articles 69 to 73. Article 68(2) does not foresee the following:

the preparation of an Annex XV Dossier to initiate the restriction process
public consultation on it
opinions by RAC and SEAC
the consultation of the Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement.

The Commission intends to use Art. 68(2) to target specific categories of consumer articles, aiming to restrict CMR substances (categories 1A and 1B) in them. Textile articles and clothing were selected as a first test-case because of the high likelihood of a prolonged – or multiple short-term – exposure of consumers to CMR substances being potentially present in those articles. The list of CMR substances (individual substances or groups) covered by this possible restriction would be added as a specific appendix to Annex XVII to REACH and could be regularly updated, as appropriate. The Commission, in collaboration with ECHA and Member States Competent Authorities, has identified a preliminary list of CMR substances Cat. 1A and 1B potentially present in textile articles and clothing.

The Commission believes the present public consultation is needed to target relevant chemicals and articles and to consider the proportionality and enforceability of a possible restriction in this area. The main objectives of the public consultation are to collect information on

the presence or likelihood of presence of the identified CMR substances in relevant consumer articles and in so far as is possible also gather information on their concentration, function and on the availability of alternatives
the potential socio-economic impacts and the enforceability of the possible restriction.

Respond to the consultation

You are invited to fill in the online questionnaire available below.

Please submit your response to this public consultation at the latest on 22 March 2016.

All queries on the process should be addressed to the email address listed below.

In the interest of transparency, organisations (including, for example, NGOs, trade associations and commercial enterprises) are invited to provide the public with relevant information about themselves by registering in the Transparency Register and subscribing to its Code of Conduct.

Registration is closed

• Responses from organisations not registered will be published separately.