Reporter has recently learned from the Nanhai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau that recently the EU issued No. 26 Regulation of 2016 which imposed restrictions on the content of nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (NPE) of the textile products. Over 100 manufacturers’ garments, clothing, indoor textiles, yarns and weaving cotton clothes that are exported to the EU will be affected.

According to reports, the regulation requires that the content of nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (NPE) of textile products shall not be over 0.01% (100ppm). The transitional period is 5 years. After the period, the products that do not meet the requirement will not be allowed to be sold or imported in the EU market.

 NPE is the nonionic surfactant with good performance of penetration, emulsification and dispersion. It is widely used in cleaning, dyeing and washing in textile production. According to relevant information, NPE is the most commonly used detergents and dyeing auxiliary in the textile industry, accounting for more than 80% of market share in China. However, NPE is the worldwide recognized environmental hormone, which is lasting and bioaccumulative. Once emitted into the environment, it will exist for a long time, and can enter the food chain, affecting the normal reproduction and development of organisms and leading to a decrease in the number of spermatozoa in males. At the same time, once NPE in the textile enters the environment, it will decompose into more toxic environmental hormone—NP (nonylphenol) other ingredients.

Clothing and textiles are important export products in the South China Sea area. Data show that in the first quarter, the value of exported clothing and textiles in the South China Sea area was nearly 10 billion yuan, among which the EU has the largest market share. The new restriction will have a greater impact on manufacturers of garments, indoor textiles, yarns and weaving cotton clothes.

The impact of the new regulations on enterprises mainly shows in the following aspects. First, more than half of products will face the risk of being eliminated. NPE is the most commonly used detergents and dyeing auxiliaries in the textile industry. At present, more than 50% of textile products on the market will not meet the requirements of EU in terms of NPE, especially in the industries of printing and dyeing, leather and chemical fiber. Second, the cost of production and testing will increase significantly. Third, some textile enterprises will be out ahead of schedule.

According to this, Nanhai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau reminds the relevant enterprises; first, they should pay close attention to the implementation of EU’s NPE regulations and learn the detailed rules and regulations; second, they should timely adjust bleaching, scouring, dyeing and other processes to seek alternatives that meet the relevant requirements; third, they should enhance the testing on NPE content of raw materials and finished products, to avoid the cases that exported products to EU do not meet the requirements.

（By China Textile News）