REACH Regulation
The REACH Regulation is a regulation in the European Union that sets out the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemical substances, and requires the management of substances in products that may pose a concern for hazard.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
The REACH Regulation is the legal framework for chemical substance management in the European Union. In textile products, not only the textile itself but also chemicals contained in dyes, pigments, water-repellent agents, resins, printing agents, adhesives, and metal accessories may be subject to verification.
REACH compliance is not a quality standard indicating the fabric hand, water resistance, colorfastness, or similar characteristics, nor is it a voluntary certification system. It is the concept of confirming compliance with the legal requirements for relevant chemical substances in products distributed in the European Union.
Scope and How the Criteria Are Interpreted
The regulation classifies chemical substances into substances on their own, mixtures, and articles. Finished goods such as clothing, fabric, and buttons are often considered articles whose function is determined by their shape and applications.
The focus of verification is substances subject to restriction, substances subject to authorization, and substances of very high concern. Since the substances covered and the required actions are updated, it is important not merely to label something as “REACH compliant,” but to align the target market, product composition, and point in time of verification.
- Verify the fabric itself separately from after-treatment agents and printed areas.
- Include accessories such as lining, interfacing, labels, buttons, and zippers.
- For applications intended for infants and young children, or for prolonged skin contact, organize the verification conditions according to the application.
Verification in Fabric Procurement and Product Development
In the early stage of planning, decide the sales country and product application, and inform suppliers of the scope of compliance verification. Even if the fabric alone is compliant, the verification conditions may change due to auxiliary materials, printing, or secondary processing added during product manufacturing.
Information obtained from suppliers should be retained in a form that allows the relevant lot, fabric product number, color, processing details, substances subject to verification, and verification reference date to be traced. Since the chemical formulation may differ by color or processing, it is necessary not to judge all colors based only on a representative color.
- Clearly specify the target market and destination country in the specifications.
- Request the necessary verification documents from suppliers of fabric, accessories, and processing.
- For test reports, cross-check the sample name, test items, test method, issue date, and relevant lot.
- Decide in advance how changes in mass production will be controlled and when documents will be updated.
Points to Note for Labeling and Certificates
Compliance with the REACH Regulation is generally not a consumer-facing quality label in itself. Expressions such as “REACH certified” or “with REACH mark” may cause misunderstanding about the nature of the regulation and the scope of verification. Confirm the labeling and wording required by the sales destination or trading partner on an individual basis.
Supplier declarations of conformity, analytical test reports, and chemical substance management documents each certify different scopes. It is important not only to have documents, but also to confirm whether the finished product, component parts, target substances, and applicable legal requirements are satisfied.
Differences from Similar Terms
OEKO-TEX is a testing and certification system for hazardous substances in textile products, and its purpose and operation differ from those of the REACH Regulation. Even with OEKO-TEX certification or test results, it does not necessarily replace all verification required under REACH.
ZDHC is a framework for advancing chemical substance management in manufacturing processes. PFAS regulations are a general term for regulations concerning organofluorine compounds, and may be related to restrictions under the REACH Regulation. Azo dyes and formaldehyde are representative chemical substances verified in textile products.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a fabric is REACH compliant, does the finished product also comply with the REACH Regulation?
Not necessarily. For the finished product, verification covers not only the fabric but also the lining, interfacing, buttons, zippers, printing, adhesives, and more. It is necessary to verify the finished product as a unit, including processing performed after manufacturing and the requirements of each sales country.
How should I verify a certificate for the REACH Regulation?
Do not judge by the document title alone; check the target product, color, processing, relevant lot, target substances, test items, and issue date. Since supplier declarations of conformity and analytical test reports indicate different content, compare them to confirm whether they meet the verification scope required by your trading partner.
Is verification under the REACH Regulation necessary for fabric sold only within Japan?
Even if the product is not shipped to the European Union, verification may still be required as part of a trading partner’s procurement standards. However, the legal applicability depends on the distribution country and the position of the business operator, so make a judgment after confirming the sales destination, export destination of the final product, and contract terms.
