How to comply with regulations when selling clothing and textiles in the EU and UK

How to comply with regulations when selling clothing and textiles in the EU and UK

Recently, many Amazon sellers have encountered safety issues when selling textiles and clothing in Europe and the UK. The reasons for delisting are that they do not meet product safety requirements. The following types of delisting emails are included:
①Illegal labeling

②Does not meet safety standards

So, what are the specific requirements for exporting textiles to the EU and the UK? Many sellers believe that textiles are common goods and Amazon has misjudged them. But in fact, the EU and the UK have relatively strict requirements for the export of textiles. Products must not only comply with textile safety standards, but also have compliant labels. This article will take you through the specific requirements for textiles and clothing in the EU and the UK.

1. Textile Labeling and Fiber Content Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011

Textile products put into the EU and UK markets after May 8, 2012, must comply with this regulation (EU) No 1007/2011.

The main contents of (EU) No1007/2011 include: stipulating the names of textile fibers, labeling of fiber components of textile products, and detection methods of fiber components.

2. Scope of application of (EU) No 1007/2011

The EU Textiles Regulation applies to products that consist solely of textile fibers and to products placed on the market that have been treated in the same way as textiles. Examples of textile products include clothing, table mats, belts, ribbons, artificial flowers, etc.

Products treated similarly to textiles include:
① Textiles that are incorporated into other products and form an integral part of such products, the composition of which has been identified;
② Products containing at least 80% (by weight) textile fibers (or applicable textile ingredients);
③Furniture, umbrellas and sunshades contain at least 80% textile content by weight; and
④Textile components of the upper layer of mattress covers, camping supplies covers and multi-layer floor covers.

3. Label content requirements

Under the Textile Labeling and Fiber Content Regulations, products must be labeled or marked when placed on the market. Here we summarize the required label information:
A. Fiber composition (for example: 100% polyester fiber, the description "100%", "Pure" or "Full" can only be used if the textile product is entirely composed of the same fiber)
b. Non-textile parts of animal origin (e.g. fur or leather) must be clearly stated
C. Labels should not contain abbreviations other than mechanized processing codes

4. Label printing requirements

Generally speaking, textile products must bear durable, clear, visible and easy-to-use labels on the product or its packaging. Take T-shirts for example. It is recommended to place the label on the inside of the product, towards the neck.

5. What certification standards must textiles and clothing meet?

①Chemicals and heavy metals (REACH)

REACH regulates hazardous chemicals in consumer products, including clothing and textiles. Hundreds of chemicals are used in the manufacturing of textiles, including substances that are considered toxic and restricted. For example, phthalates may be used to increase the brightness of a product, but are subject to REACH restrictions. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your products do not contain substances exceeding the limits set out in REACH.

What are the most common restricted substances in clothing and textiles?
The following are examples of restricted substances found in clothing and textiles:
a. Aromatic amines (from azo dyes, used to provide bright colors to textiles)
b. Formaldehyde (used to increase the color fastness and wrinkle resistance of textiles)
c. Phthalates (may be found in plastic parts of clothing or textiles and are used to increase brightness)
d. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) (used as a preservative in textiles)
e. Organotin compounds (for antibacterial function and preventing unpleasant odor caused by sweat)
f. Alkylphenoloxyethylene ethers (APEO) (used as surfactant)

②General Product Safety Directive (GPSD)

The General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) aims to ensure the general safety of consumer products before they enter the EU market. GPSD covers consumer goods, including apparel and textiles. It includes safety, labeling and documentation requirements.

By adhering to a harmonized standard, your clothing or textile product can be presumed to comply with the technical requirements of the GPSD in the aspects covered by the standard. Currently, there is only one uniform standard for clothing under GPSD:
a. EN 14682 Safety of children’s clothing – Cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing
When harmonized standards do not exist, importers or manufacturers of clothing or textiles can still use other international or national standards, such as:
b. EN 17394 Safety of children’s clothing – Safety of button fastenings – Test methods
c. EN 14878 Textiles – Combustion behavior of children’s nightwear – Specification

GPSD’s requirements for sellers:
a. Creation and backup of risk assessment reports
b. Create technical documentation
c. Provide traceability labels
d. Obtain test report (if applicable)
e. Create a user manual for the product (if applicable)

6. What are the EN standards for clothing and textiles?

①Children’s clothing EN standards
a. EN 14878 – Combustion properties of children’s pajamas
b. EN 14682 – Safety of children’s clothing
c.EN 17394-1 – Textiles and textile products: Part 1 – Safety of children’s clothing – Safety of add-ons to infant clothing – Specification
d. EN 17394-2 – Textiles and textile products: Part 2 – Safety of children’s clothing – Safety of button fastenings – Test methods
e. EN 17394-3 – Textiles and textile products: Part 3: Safety of children’s clothing – Safety of attachment of metal snaps for mechanical applications – Test methods
f. EN 17394-4 – Textiles and textile products: Part 4: Safety of children’s clothing – Safety of attachments of components other than buttons and snaps for metal mechanical applications – Test methods

②EN standard for protective clothing
a. EN ISO 20471: Test methods and requirements for high-visibility clothing
b. EN 1150: Protective clothing. Visibility clothing for non-professional use
c.EN 342: Protective clothing – cold-weather suits and clothing
d. EN 343: Waterproof breathable protective clothing
e. EN 531: Protective clothing for industrial workers exposed to high temperatures (excluding firefighters' and welders' clothing)
f. EN 13034: Protective clothing against liquid chemicals

③Bedding EN standards (excluding mattresses, bed frames and mattress pads)

EN ISO 12952-1: Assessing the flammability of bedding products
EN ISO 12952-2: Assessing the flammability of bedding products

④Curtain EN standard

EN 13772: Measurement of the spread of vertically oriented textile fabrics for curtains and curtains under a large ignition flame

7. Specialty Textiles: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations

Applicable products:
waterproof pants
fire retardant clothing
high visibility clothing
protective gloves
earmuffs

8. PPE requirements for sellers

Here are some requirements that importers or manufacturers of personal protective equipment products should follow before placing their products in the EU:
Create user manual
Create technical documentation
Get test report
Prepare Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
Apply CE mark label
Provide product traceability labels

9. How to deal with the product after it is removed from the shelves?

① Check whether the label is correct

②Test according to different testing standards according to different textiles

③Draft DOC (if applicable)

④ Take a picture of the product packaging to lodge a complaint

⑤The email explains how to avoid similar problems