EU restricts chemicals

The European Commission has adopted new restrictions for the use of 33 chemicals known to cause cancer and reproductive health problems. The restrictions limit exposure to chemicals including benzene, formaldehyde and heavy metals that may be particularly harmful with frequent contact with human skin. These new rules set maximum concentration limits in clothing and textiles and prohibit products exceeding these limits from being placed on the EU market regardless of their origin of production. The textile industry has until December 2020 to comply.