EU Reaches Deal on Fur & Leather Textile Labeling, but not Origin
On April 20, 2011, the European Parliament reached a compromise deal with the European Council on a possible EU regulation on the labeling of textiles that contain fur or leather products. However, agreement could not be reached on textile origin labeling changes. Instead, the parties agreed to study the feasibility of giving consumers accurate origin information and full traceability as well as to study allergic reactions and further EU labeling harmonization.
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Labeling Would Help Consumer Identify Textiles with Fur and Leather
Parliament states that requiring "non-textile parts of animal origin" labeling on garments would help consumers avoid purchasing real fur or leather products if they preferred to and help allergy sufferers better identify fur or leather on such products.
The full Parliament is scheduled to vote on the textile labeling agreement in May 2011.
Did Not Agree to Include Country of Origin Labeling
According to Parliament, it was unsuccessful in its effort to include mandatory country of origin labeling for textiles produced outside the EU in the agreement.
Agreed to EC Studies on Origin Labeling, Care & Size Harmonization, Allergic Reactions
However, the Council did agree that the European Commission would study the following three textile labeling issues in reports to be delivered by September 2013:
- the feasibility of an origin labeling scheme to give consumers "accurate information on the country of origin and additional information ensuring the full traceability of the textile product;”
- the feasibility of harmonizing care labeling requirements (currently voluntary), an EU-wide uniform size labeling system for clothes, social and ecological labeling, the indication of allergenic substances, and flammable clothing; and
- whether there is a causal link between allergic reactions and chemical substances (e.g. colorings, biocides, or nanoparticles), used in textile products.
1Note that this press release uses the terms textile and garment interchangeably.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 09/15/10 news, 10091513, for BP summary of a separate EU textile labeling agreement on fiber names and composition.)