EU Approves New Fur & Leather Textile Labeling Rules, Etc.
On May 11, 2011, the European Parliament approved a second-reading agreement with the European Council on a textile labeling regulation, which includes new mandatory labeling requirements for fur and leather parts and a feasibility study on origin labeling. The rules must still be formally signed by the Member States. The new regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU Official Journal, but will provide for a 2.5 year transition period for new labeling requirements, to allow industry time to adapt.
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New Rules Will Help Consumers Identify Textiles with Real Fur or Leather
Parliament states that it is often hard for consumers to distinguish between real fur and good quality fake fur, especially allergy sufferers for whom fur is a potential health hazard. However, with the new textile labeling rules, consumers will no longer risk inadvertently buying textiles that contain real fur or leather. The new rules should also ensure that new fibers and innovative products reach the market faster.
Will Require Mandatory Labeling for Any Uses of Animal-Derived Materials
With the new rules, any use of animal-derived materials will have to be clearly stated on textile product labels as "contains non-textile parts of animal origin" to enable consumers to identify them.
Self-Employed Tailors to be Exempt from Mandatory Labeling
Parliament notes that the new regulation also provides for an exemption from mandatory labeling requirements for customized textile products made up by self-employed tailors.
Commission to Study Textile Origin Labeling, Care & Size Harmonization, Etc.
As part of the agreement, the European Council agreed to ask the European Commission to study the following three textile labeling issues by September 30, 2013 for possible new labeling requirements and technologies:
- 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,” which may be accompanied by a legislative proposal;
- 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;
- whether there is a causal link between allergic reactions and chemical substances (e.g. colorings, biocides or nanoparticles), used in textile products; and
- how new technologies, such as micro-chips or radio-frequency identification (RFID), could in future be used instead of traditional labels to convey information to consumers.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/27/11 news, 11042726, for BP summary of the Parliament and Council's compromise deal on fur and leather textile labeling.
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.)