Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) informed that on December 5, 2005, the European Commission issued a proposal for a Directive relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS) used in carpets, textiles, apparel, etc.
PFOS are anions that are commercially available in the form of salts, derivatives and polymers. The basis for the proposed Directive stems from various studies investigating the emissions from each use area of PFOS.
The risk reduction strategy is reflected in the proposed Directive, where in order to counter the primary exposure risks, use of PFOS in the following products are to be prohibited: carpets; textiles; upholstery; leather; apparel; paper; packaging; and other applications.
The proposed Directive is not expected to go into force for some period of time as it must first must pass the co-decision process before the Council and the Parliament. Moreover, the proposal envisages that Member States will not apply the proposed Directive until eighteen months after the date of its entry into force.
Office of Textiles and Apparel
marketing@alchempro.com
