Textiles and clothing

Regarding to textile chain, the National Centre for Chemicals, Cosmetics and Consumer Protection (CNSC) of the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) evaluates risks associated with chemicals in articles and draws up proposals for risk management measures under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) (e.g. restriction proposals) participating in the activities of the Committees of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). 

The CNSC carries out assessments and controls to evaluate safety of products in relation to specific exposure scenarios and uses, expressing opinions to protect the consumer’s health. Furthermore, as a National Reference Laboratory (LNR) REACH-CLP, as established by the Accordo Stato e Regioni/PA (n. 88/CSR, 07/05/2015), the CNSC provides technical-scientific support to the activities of REACH-CLP national network of the official control laboratories coordinated by the Centre itself. 

The national control plan on chemical products (PNC), prepared by the National Ministry of Health and REACH Interregional Technical Group for the enforcement of the European regulations (REACH and CLP) includes, among the priority activities for the health protection, those relating chemical substances used in the textile industry. In particular, controls for evaluation of compliance with REACH restrictions concerning: chromium VI in leather/hide articles; flame retardants in textiles; phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), azo dyes, nickel, lead, cadmium, mercury, dimethyl fumarate (DMF), organotin compounds, ethoxylated nonylphenol and substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) in both textile articles and leather/hide.