COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2016/1349
of 5 August 2016
establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for footwear
(notified under document C(2016) 5028)
(Text with EEA relevance)
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Article 8
ANNEX
EU ECOLABEL CRITERIA AND ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
EU ECOLABEL CRITERIA
Criterion 1 — Origin of hides and skins, cotton, wood and cork, and man-made cellulose fibres, and plastics
1.1.
Requirements on hides and skins
1.1(a)
Hides and skins
1.1(b)
Prohibited hides and skins
1.2.
Cotton and other natural cellulosic seed fibres
1.2(a)
Organic production standard
1.2(b)
Cotton production according to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and restriction on pesticides
1.3.
Sustainable wood and cork
1.4.
Man-made cellulose fibres (including viscose, modal and lyocell)
1.5.
Plastics
Criterion 2 — Reduction of water consumption and restriction on the tanning of hides and skins
2.1.
Water consumption
Hides |
28 m3/t |
Skins |
45 m3/t |
Vegetable tanned leather |
35 m3/t |
Pigskin |
80 m3/t |
Sheepskins |
180 l/skin |
2.2.
Restriction on the tanning of hides and skins
Criterion 3 — Emissions to water from the production of leather, textiles and rubber
3.1.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in waste water from leather tanning sites
3.2.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in waste water from textile finishing processes
3.3.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in waste water from the processing of natural and synthetic rubber
3.4.
Chromium in tannery waste water after treatment
Criterion 4 — Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Criterion 5 — Hazardous substances in the product and shoe components
Table 2
Grouping of restricted hazards
Group 1 hazards — Substances of very high concern (SVHC)
Group 2 hazards — CLP hazards
Group 3 hazards — CLP hazards
5.1.
Restriction of substances of very high concern
5.2.
Restriction based on CLP classified substances and mixtures
Table 3
Substances and mixtures groups to which criterion 5.2 shall apply
Substances and mixtures |
Scope of derogation |
Derogation conditions |
Applicability to footwear |
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Nickel |
H317, H351, H372 |
Nickel can only be contained in stainless steel. A nickel release rate from the stainless steel shall be less than or equal to 0,5 μg/cm2/week as specified in criterion 6 (RSL). |
Metal toecaps and footwear accessories |
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Dyestuffs for dyeing and non-pigment printing |
H301, H311, H331, H317 |
Dust-free dye formulations or automatic dosing and dispensing of dyes shall be used by dye houses and printers to minimise worker exposure. |
Dyestuffs |
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Dyestuffs for dyeing and non-pigment printing |
H411, H412, H413 |
Dyeing processes using reactive, direct, vat, or sulphur dyes with these classifications shall meet a minimum of one of the following conditions:
The use of solution dyeing and/or digital printing is exempted from these conditions. |
Dyestuffs |
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Water, dirt and stain repellents |
H413 |
The repellent and its degradation products shall be readily and/or inherently biodegradable and non-bioaccumulative substances in the aquatic environment, including aquatic sediment. |
Water repellence |
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Residual auxiliaries found in any homogeneous materials or articles that form part of the final product |
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Auxiliaries comprising: carriers, levelling agents, dispersing agents, surfactants, thickeners, binders |
H301, H311, H331, H371, H373, H317 (1B), H411, H412, H413, EUH070, |
Recipes shall be formulated using automatic dosing systems and processes shall follow standard operating procedures. Substances classified with H311, H331, H317 (1B) shall not be present at concentrations greater than 1,0 % w/w in any homogeneous material or article that forms part of the final product. |
Auxiliaries |
Criterion 6 — Restricted Substances List (RSL)
Criterion 7 — Parameters contributing to durability
Parameter/Standard test method |
General sports |
School footwear |
Casual |
Men's town |
Cold weather footwear |
Women's town |
Fashion |
Infants |
Indoor |
|
Uppers' flex resistant: (kc without visible damage)/EN 13512 |
Dry = 100 Wet = 20 |
Dry = 100 Wet = 20 |
Dry = 80 Wet = 20 |
Dry = 80 Wet = 20 |
Dry = 100 Wet = 20 – 20° = 30 |
Dry = 50 Wet = 10 |
Dry = 15 |
Dry = 15 |
Dry = 15 |
|
Uppers' tear strength (Average tear force, N)/EN 13571 |
Leather |
≥ 80 |
≥ 60 |
≥ 60 |
≥ 60 |
≥ 60 |
≥ 40 |
≥ 30 |
≥ 30 |
≥ 30 |
Other materials |
≥ 40 |
≥ 40 |
≥ 40 |
≥ 40 |
≥ 40 |
≥ 40 |
≥ 30 |
≥ 30 |
≥ 30 |
|
Outsoles' flex resistance: EN 17707 |
Cut growth (mm) Nsc = no spontaneous crack |
≤ 4 Nsc |
≤ 4 Nsc |
≤ 4 Nsc |
≤ 4 Nsc |
≤ 4 Nsc at – 10 °C |
≤ 4 Nsc |
|
|
|
Outsoles' abrasion resistance/EN 12770 |
D ≥ 0,9 g/cm3 (mm3) |
≤ 200 |
≤ 200 |
≤ 250 |
≤ 350 |
≤ 200 |
≤ 400 |
|
|
≤ 450 |
D < 0,9 g/cm3 (mg) |
≤ 150 |
≤ 150 |
≤ 170 |
≤ 200 |
≤ 150 |
≤ 250 |
|
|
≤ 300 |
|
Upper-sole adhesion (N/mm)/EN 17708 |
≥ 4,0 |
≥ 4,0 |
≥ 3,0 |
≥ 3,5 |
≥ 3,5 |
≥ 3,0 |
≥ 2,5 |
≥ 3,0 |
≥ 2,5 |
|
Outsoles' tear strength (Average strength, N/mm)/EN 12771 |
D ≥ 0,9 g/cm3 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
D < 0,9 g/cm3 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
|
Colour fastness of the inside of the footwear (lining or inner face of the upper). Grey scale on the felt after 50 cycles wet/EN ISO 17700 |
≥ 2/3 |
≥ 2/3 |
≥ 2/3 |
≥ 2/3 |
≥ 2/3 |
≥ 2/3 |
|
≥ 2/3 |
≥ 2/3 |
|
Linings' and socks' abrasion cycles/EN 17704 |
> 25 600 dry > 12 800 wet |
> 25 600 dry > 12 800 wet |
> 25 600 dry > 12 800 wet |
> 25 600 dry > 6 400 wet |
> 25 600 dry > 12 800 wet |
> 25 600 dry > 6 400 wet |
> 25 600 dry > 3 200 wet |
>= 25 600 dry >= 12 800 wet |
> 8 400 dry > 1 600 wet |
Criterion 8 — Corporate Social Responsibility with regard to labour aspects
Criterion 9 — Packaging
9.1.
Cardboard and paper
9.2.
Plastic
Criterion 10 — Information on the packaging
10.1.
User Instructions
10.2.
Information appearing on the EU Ecolabel
APPENDIX
RESTRICTED SUBSTANCES LIST (RSL)
Applicability |
Scope of restriction |
Limit values |
Verification |
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(a) Auxiliaries |
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Any mixture or formulation used in the production stages of leather, textiles, and coated leather and textiles |
The following substances shall not be used in any mixtures or formulations used in production stages and are subject to the limit values for the presence of substances in the final product:
The following alkylphenolethoxylates (APEOs):
|
25 mg/kg sum total for textiles 100 mg/kg sum total for leather |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide either a declaration that these substances have not been used, supported by a Safety Data Sheet or test results of the final product or of the leather, textiles, coated leather or textiles that make up the final product. Test method: leather: EN ISO 18218-2 (indirect method); textiles and coated textiles: EN ISO 18254 for alkylphenolethoxylates; for alkylphenols final product testing is to be carried out by solvent extraction followed by LC-MS or GC-MS. |
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Dyeing and finishing operations for leather, textiles, and coated leather and textiles |
The following substances shall not be used in any mixtures or formulations for dyeing and finishing of leather, coated leather, and textiles:
|
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of non-use. |
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(b) Colophony |
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Printing, varnishing and gluing |
Colophony shall not be used as an ingredient in printing inks, varnishes or adhesives. |
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of non-use. |
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(c) Solvents |
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Auxiliaries used in mixtures, formulations and adhesives for leather, textiles coated leather and textiles, plastics and final products |
The following substances shall not be used in any mixtures or formulations for the processing of component materials and in adhesives used during the final product assembly:
|
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of non-use. |
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(d) Chlorinated paraffins |
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All production stages for leather, synthetic rubber, plastics, textiles and coatings |
Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs), C10-C13, shall not be used in the production and finishing of leather, synthetic rubber, plastics, textiles or coatings. |
Not detectable |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration that Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins C10-C13 have not been used, supported by a Safety Data Sheet. Otherwise the applicant and/or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the results of a test report according to EN ISO 18219. |
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Material processing for leather, synthetic rubber, plastics, textiles and coatings |
Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs), C14-C17, shall be restricted in the production and finishing of leather, synthetic rubber, plastics, textiles or coatings. |
1 000 mg/kg |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration that Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins C14-C17 have not been used, supported by a Safety Data Sheet. Otherwise, the applicant and/or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the results of a test report according to EN ISO 18219. |
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(e) Biocidal products (within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council(1) |
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Used during transportation or storage of raw and semi-finished materials, final products or final product packaging |
|
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant and material supplier shall provide either declarations of non-use prior to transportation and storage, or evidence that the use of the biocidal active substance is allowed under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. If used, a list of active substances added during transportation or storage of raw, semi-finished materials or to final product packaging shall be provided, including the related H statements. |
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n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant and material supplier shall provide declarations of non-use in the final product or any part thereof. |
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Not detectable |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of non-use. The declaration shall be supported by the results of final product testing for the presence of the following substances:
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(f) Other specific substances |
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Production recipes and adhesives used in the final product or any part thereof |
The following substances shall not be intentionally added to any mixtures and formulations or to adhesives used during footwear assembly:
|
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of non-use. |
Applicability |
Scope of restriction |
Limit values |
Verification |
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(a) Carriers |
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Carriers used in dyeing processes where disperse dyes are used |
Halogenated dyeing accelerants (carriers) shall not be used (examples of carriers include: 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, chlorophenoxyethanol). |
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by a Safety Data Sheet. |
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Carriers used as blowing agents for plastics and foams |
Halogenated organic compounds shall not be used as blowing agents or as auxiliary blowing agents. |
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by a Safety Data Sheet. |
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(b) Restricted dyes |
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Azo dyes and azo colourants Application in dyeing process |
The following carcinogenic aromatic amines shall not be present in the final product.
|
30 mg/kg for each arylamine in the final product |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the results of specific testing according to EN 14362-1:2012 and 3:2012 for textiles, and CEN ISO/TS 17234-1 and 2 for leather. (Note: false positives may be possible with respect to the presence of 4-aminoazobenzene, and therefore shall be reported.) |
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CMR dyes |
The following dyes that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction shall not be used.
|
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by a Safety Data Sheet. |
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Potentially sensitising dyes |
The following dyes that are potentially sensitising shall not be used.
|
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by a Safety Data Sheet. |
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Chrome mordant dyes |
Chrome mordant dyes shall not be used. |
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by a Safety Data Sheet. |
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Metal complex dyes |
Metal complex dyes based on copper, chromium and nickel shall only be permitted for leather, dyeing wool, polyamide or blends of these fibres with man-made cellulose fibres (for instance viscose). |
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by a Safety Data Sheet. |
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Pigments |
Pigments based on cadmium, lead, chromium (VI), mercury and/or antimony shall not be used. |
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by a Safety Data Sheet. |
Applicability |
Scope of restriction |
Limit values |
Verification |
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(a) Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) |
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Final product |
|
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by a Safety Data Sheet. |
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Footwear with declared integrated water repellence function |
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n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance from the membrane or laminate manufacturer with respect to the polymer production. The declaration shall be supported by technical test results for material water penetration according to ISO 20347. |
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(b) Flame retardants |
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Footwear with incorporated flame-retardant function |
The use of flame retardants is allowed only for footwear classified and CE marked as Category III personal protective equipment with an incorporated flame-retardant function to ensure safety at work in line with the specifications laid down by Directive 89/686/EEC. The substance(s) used to achieve flame retardancy shall comply with criterion 5. |
n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide either a declaration of non-use of flame retardants or a declaration of compliance with criterion 5. In both cases the declaration shall be supported by a Safety Data Sheet. When applicable, a list of flame retardants used in the product shall be provided together with the related H statements/R phrases. A copy of the certification issued by a certification body notified under Directive 89/686/EEC that proves the product is marketed as flameproof Category III personal protective equipment shall be provided. |
Applicability |
Scope of restriction |
Limit values |
Verification |
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(a) PAHs |
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Plastics and synthetic rubber, textiles or leather coatings |
The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) listed below shall not be present above the specified limits in the plastics, synthetic rubber, textiles or leather coatings. The PAHs classified with Groups 1 and 2 hazards shall not be present at concentrations greater than or equal to individual and sum total concentration limits in plastics, synthetic rubber, textiles or leather coatings. The presence and concentration of the following PAHs shall be verified. PAHs restricted by Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006:
Additional PAHs subject to restriction:
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For all footwear:
For footwear intended for children under three years of age:
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Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the test report, using test method AfPS GS 2014:01 PAK. |
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(b) N-Nitrosamines |
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Natural and synthetic rubber |
The following N-nitrosamines shall not be detected in synthetic and natural rubber.
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Not detectable |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or rubber supplier shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the test report, using test method EN 12868 or EN 14602. |
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(c) Organotin substances |
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Final product |
The organotin compounds listed below shall not be present in the final product above the specified limit concentrations.
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Limit values specified for each organotin compound |
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by test results in accordance with test method ISO/TS 16179. |
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(d) Phthalates |
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Plastics, rubber, synthetic materials, coatings and printings of materials |
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n/a |
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by a Safety Data Sheet |
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The sum of the restricted plasticisers shall be lower than 0,10 % weight by weight; The sum of the restricted plasticisers for footwear intended for children under three years of age shall be lower than 0,05 % weight by weight; |
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide either a declaration of non-use from the material manufacturer supported by a Safety Data Sheet for the plasticisers used in the formulation or the test results according to ISO/TS 16181. |
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(e) Extractable metals |
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Final product |
For footwear intended for children under three years of age, the substances listed below shall not be present in the final product above the specified limit concentrations.
The following limit values shall apply to footwear other than footwear intended for children under three years of age.
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Limit values specified for each substance |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the test results in accordance with the following test methods: Extraction — EN ISO 105-E04-2013 (acid sweat solution). Detection: EN ISO 17072-1 for leather, ICP-MS, ICP-OES (for textiles and plastic). Testing shall be carried out annually during the licence period in order to demonstrate ongoing compliance with the criterion. |
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Metal components |
The migration of nickel from nickel-containing metal alloys which are in direct and prolonged contact with skin shall be lower than 0,5 μg/cm2/week. |
0,5 μg/cm2/week |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of the absence of nickel in footwear components, supported by the certification from the manufacturer of the metal parts, or a declaration of compliance supported by the results of test method EN 1811. |
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Chromium-tanned leather |
For shoes containing chromium-tanned leather, there shall be no chromium (VI) in the final product. |
Not detectable |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the results of a test report, using test method EN ISO 17075 (detection limit: 3 ppm). The sample preparation must follow the indications of EN ISO 4044. Testing shall be carried out annually during the licence period in order to demonstrate ongoing compliance with the criterion. Non-chromium-tanned leather is exempted from the requirement. |
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For shoes containing chromium-tanned leather, the extractable chromium content in the final product shall be lower than 200 mg/kg. |
200 mg/kg |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the results of test report, using test method EN ISO 17072-1. Testing shall be carried out annually during the licence period in order to demonstrate ongoing compliance with the criterion. Non-chromium-tanned leather is exempt from the requirement. |
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(f) TDA and MDA |
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PU |
2,4-Toluenediamine (2,4-TDA, 95-80-7) 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylmethane (4,4′-MDA, 101-77-9) |
Lower than 5 mg/kg each |
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the results according to the following procedure: Extraction with 1 % aqueous acetic acid solution. The sample must be a composite of six pieces to be taken from beneath each sample's face (to a maximum of 2 cm from the surface). Four repeat extractions of the same foam sample must be performed, maintaining a sample weight to volume ratio of 1:5 in each case. The extracts are combined, made up to a known volume, filtered and analysed by HPLC-UV or HPLC-MS. If HPLC-UV is performed and interference is suspected, reanalysis with HPLC-MS shall be performed. |
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(g) Formaldehyde |
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Final product/leather, textile |
The amount of free and hydrolysed formaldehyde of the components of the footwear shall not exceed the following limits:
|
Specified limit values |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or material supplier(s) shall provide a declaration of compliance supported by the results of a test report, using the following test methods: textiles: EN ISO 14184-1; leather: EN ISO 17226-1. |
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(h) Antimony |
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Raw polyester fibres |
The level of antimony present in the raw polyester fibres shall not exceed 260 ppm. |
260 mg/kg |
Assessment and verification: the applicant or fibre manufacturer shall either provide a declaration of non-use during the manufacturing process or a declaration of compliance supported by a test report using the following test methods: direct determination by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry or Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Mass Spectrometry. The test shall be carried out on a composite sample of raw fibres prior to any wet processing. |