AAFA Updates List of 'Restricted Chemicals and Substances' in Textiles and Footwear
The American Apparel and Footwear Association published the 21st edition of its Restricted Substance List, which provides information on regulations and laws that restrict or ban certain chemicals and substances in finished home textile, apparel and footwear products around the world. The AAFA released the last list in February 2019. The list “serves as a practical tool to help individuals in textile, apparel and footwear companies, and their suppliers -- responsible for environmental compliance throughout the supply chain -- to become more aware of various national and international regulations governing the amount of substances that are permitted in finished home textile, apparel, and footwear products,” the AAFA said.
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List Focuses on 'Finished Product' Restrictions
The list includes only those materials, chemicals and substances that are restricted or banned in finished home textile, apparel and footwear products because of a regulation or law. (It does not include regulations that restrict the use of substances in production processes or in the factory; rather the focus is on whether or not the substance can be found in finished home textile, apparel and footwear products at a certain level.)
The list includes the following substances:
| Arylamines | Asbestos | Metals |
| Disperse Dyes | Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases | Organotin Compounds |
| Solvents | Dioxins & Furans | Miscellaneous |
| Pesticides | Flame Retardants | Phthalates |
List Includes Common Names and Countries Where Regulations Apply
For each material, chemical or substance, the list identifies the following features, as applicable:
- CAS number
- Common chemical or color name
- Restriction Level
- Country where that Restriction/Limit is found
- Test Method
- Other countries that maintain equal or fewer restrictions
- Comments (if applicable).
Does Not Cover All Safety Regulations or Products
AAFA said the list is not intended to address product safety regulations outside the chemical management area, such as Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations related to small parts. It is also not structured to cover toys, automotive textiles, other industrial textiles, packaging or related materials.