relative file path for layout
Skip to main content  Skip to search  Skip to main menu
Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
MY COLOUR

Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

Ref : EIC 230/4/2/1

8 May 2000

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 60/00

European Union (EU) : Dutch Regulation on the use of
Formaldehyde in Textiles

The Netherlands has published a regulation to restrict the use of formaldehyde in textiles and clothing products. The Regulation will come into force on 1 July 2000.

DETAILS

  1. The Dutch Regulation is introduced on health protection grounds as formaldehyde is considered to be a skin irritant and a possible carcinogen. Under the Regulation, it is prohibited to sell or distribute clothing and textiles products that will come in direct contact with the human skin (e.g. bedsheets, blankets, pillow cases, etc.), which :

    1. contain more than 120 ppm (parts per million) of formaldehyde after one washing; and

    2. contain more than 120 ppm of formaldehyde before washing once, without the warning label, "voor eerste gebruik wassen" (i.e. wash first before wearing/using), on either the product or the packaging of the product.

  2. The Dutch Regulation published on 27 January 2000 will come into force on 1 July 2000. During the transition period, products that do not comply with the Regulation but having been on the market before 1 July 2000 may be sold to customers before 1 April 2001.

ENQUIRIES

  1. For enquiries about the contents of this circular, please contact me at telephone no. 2398 5363.

Yours faithfully,

 

(Miss Y. Wong)

for Director-General of Trade



Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.