EU completely bans the import of textile products containing environmental hormones

A few days ago, the European Union strengthened the regulation of textile environmental hormones and has completely banned the import of textile products containing environmental hormones.

In recent years, the EU’s attention to environmental hormones in textiles and clothing has continued to increase. In 2006, the European Union explicitly banned the use of nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ethers (NPEO) and nonylphenol (NP) in the textile production industry in the region. In August this year, the Swedish Chemicals Agency submitted to the European Chemicals Agency a document that banned the import of NPEO-containing textiles into the European Union. EU Environmental Agency and other agencies also called for the early definition of environmental hormones as well as material criteria and their inclusion in REACH. Regulatory framework system. This move may eventually lead to the European Union’s complete ban on the sale of textiles containing NPEO on the market.

Environmental hormones are chemical substances that cause extrinsic disturbances in the body's endocrine system. These substances can cause disorders in the endocrine system, impede reproduction and development, and even cause malignancy. NPE has an endocrine disrupting effect that promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and is a carcinogen. As a surfactant, once NPE enters the environment, it quickly decomposes into a more toxic environmental hormone - NP. NP is recognized worldwide as an environmental hormone.

According to relevant sources in the inspection and quarantine department, the department found that NPEO is commonly used as a surfactant and cleaner in the textile dyeing, finishing and garment washing industries when conducting research on the textile industry in the area. According to reports, surveyed companies generally adopt traditional washing methods, and few companies adopt cleaner production technologies. Since NPEO-containing cleaners are used in washing and washing, residues are also likely to occur.

The EU is one of the major export markets for textile and apparel products in Fujian Province. From January to October, the Fujian Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau tested a total of 19,900 batches of EU textile products and US$ 748 million. In this regard, inspection and quarantine departments to remind the relevant enterprises in the area should be changed as soon as possible.