Information about REACh

On 28 October 2008 the European Chemicals Agency ECHA has taken the first step to the practical realisation of the REACh regulation, and has published a first candidate list with 15 substances of very high concern (SVHC). On 13 January 2010, the list was updated by 14 additional chemicals classified as SVHC substances.

All product suppliers (manufacturers and importers), according to § 33 of the REACh legislation, are obliged to inform their customers as well as the end consumer of whether the products supplied contain SVHC substances in concentrations greater than 0.1 percent w/w.

The official candidate list also includes some substances that may be relevant for the production of textiles and garments along the textile value added chain.

Therefore, we have provided some statements for your information that you can download below. In these, we have compiled the latest facts about the REACh regulation with regard to an existing certification according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100.

Basically, all companies with a valid Oeko-Tex® certificate can rest assured that by conscientiously implementing the Oeko-Tex® catalogue of criteria within the framework of operational quality assurance they are already achieving a greater safety standard for their products regarding possible harmful substances than is being required by the REACh directive.