EU's NPE Management In Textiles Is More Standardized.

It is reported that in order to protect aquatic organisms,

Member states agree to

The ban on NPE (nonylphenol ethoxylates) is banned in the products, and the ban is voted anonymously, and is expected to come into effect next month.

The ban was proposed by Sweden in 2013 and supported by scientists from the European Chemicals authority.

In fact, although Europe banned the use of NPE in textile production as early as 10 years ago, imported textiles will still discharge harmful chemicals into the water environment when they are washed.

NPE can decompose stronger environmental hormone nonyl phenol and other components in water. These substances accumulate in the fish body and damage their hormones, thereby affecting fish breeding, growth and sexual development.

But NPE in clothing does not directly threaten human health.

NPE has been used as cleaning agent, dyeing agent and water washing agent in the manufacture of textiles.

In a 2011 study, Greenpeace found that 2/3

It contains NPE, including many of the world's most famous clothing.

。

Although the content of NPE in these garments is low, this chemical component will be a threat if it exists in the natural environment.

The chemical components in textiles can enter the water environment with the consumer's first, second washing.

Once the new ban is adopted, textiles with NPE concentration greater than or equal to 0.01% will be effective for 5 years.

However, the ban will not apply to second-hand or recycled textiles, because the chemical components contained in it are almost negligible after repeated washing.

Clothing factories and textile companies have protested to the European Chemicals authority that it is difficult to comply with the widespread use of such chemicals in the supply chain.