The restriction proposal aims to minimise environmental exposure of endocrine disrupting bisphenols. Due to their technical properties, bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols of similar concern, such as bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol B (BPB), are imported, produced and used in a wide range of mixtures and articles in large quantities in the EU. To cover all relevant bisphenols, this restriction has a group approach to avoid regrettable substitution. For the textile sector it is the BPS and BPF, which are being used as after-treatment agents to achieve sufficient colour fastness and a longer shelf life. In August 2023, the Dossier Submitter Germany withdrew the proposal from the discussions in the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) after the 6-month public consultation closed. Germany concluded that a revision of the proposal is necessary, and they will submit a new proposal to ECHA once the input from the consultation has been considered. An updated timeline has not been made available yet.
EURATEX Position
• Provide sufficient time for the industry to generate and apply suitable alternatives, notably via derogations for textile articles and textile auxiliaries in certain thresholds for 5 years
• Assessing needs for second-hand clothing and textiles made from or with recycled materials to reach the circular economy goals
• Ensuring that the restriction would include harmonised EU test methods.
