The PFOS Ban Will Impose A Huge Impact On The EU'S Clothing Export In June 27Th.

News tip: just as domestic enterprises are scratching their heads for WEEE and RoHS, and at a loss of EUP directive, the EU has recently built a new "green barrier": in October 24, 2006, the European Parliament formally passed a resolution stipulates that the content of perfluorooctane sulfonated compounds (PFOS) in the finished products of the EU market should not exceed 0.005% of the quality. This marks the EU's formal prohibition of the use of PFOS in commodities.

The ban will be formally implemented in June 27th of this year. In addition, the United States, Canada and other countries / regions have promulgated relevant laws and regulations to prohibit the use of the substance in certain fields.

Dongguan inspection and Quarantine Bureau said yesterday that the implementation of the ban will have a greater impact on exports of textiles, leather, paper, packaging, dyeing auxiliaries, cosmetics and other products in Dongguan.

Textile, leather and other export enterprises bear the brunt.

Text / reporter Li Zhijian correspondent Zhou Wei

Harm of PFOS

PFOS is one of the most difficult organic pollutants to be degraded at present. It can be consumed by breathing and eating organisms. It is generally considered to be persistent organic pollutants and persistent cumulative toxicants. It not only causes respiratory problems, but also leads to the death of new born babies.

Impact: the textile and leather industry is the most affected.

Textiles and clothing are one of the main export products in Dongguan.

According to statistics from relevant departments, there are about 600 textile and garment production and export enterprises in Dongguan.

In 2007, Dongguan's textile and clothing exports amounted to 1 billion 420 million US dollars, and the European Union was the second largest export area.

Dongguan inspection and Quarantine Bureau said that the implementation of the PFOS ban will directly affect the export of Dongguan textiles, leather, packaging, printing and dyeing auxiliaries and other products.

Textile, leather and other export enterprises bear the brunt.

After the ban comes into effect, the use and marketing of PFOS products will be limited.

PFOS has the widest range in the textile industry. Any textile that needs printing and dyeing and finishing must be washed before processing. In addition, the auxiliaries used for functional finishing such as UV and antibacterial may also contain PFOS.

According to the inspection and Quarantine Department of Dongguan, textile manufacturers are still busy coping with the EU's textile insurance restrictions, harmful substances such as the EU's harmful azo dyes, the appreciation of the renminbi and the decline in the export tax rebate adjustment.

In order to meet the requirements of the PFOS ban standard, textile manufacturers must also use environment-friendly textile auxiliaries, and their production costs will increase.

At the same time, textile manufacturers also need to pay relevant inspection fees.

Weapon: small and medium enterprises choose suppliers carefully

However, the survey shows that most export enterprises in Dongguan know little about the PFOS directive and are not concerned enough. Many business owners even do not know whether the products they produce contain PFOS components.

In this regard, Dongguan inspection and Quarantine Bureau will issue a risk warning, to remind relevant products export enterprises to make preparations as early as possible.

In the face of the huge impact of the PFOS ban, how should Dongguan's enterprises be involved?

The Dongguan inspection and Quarantine Bureau said that powerful textile enterprises could speed up the upgrading and pformation of PFOS's replacement products and production technology, and improve the environmental protection requirements of products.

Small and medium-sized enterprises should choose suppliers rationally, and make textile printing and dyeing enterprises that meet the environmental protection requirements as long-term suppliers.

At the same time, we should communicate with European importers as soon as possible and intensify the selection, testing and application of alternative products, so as to reduce the losses caused by the implementation of instructions.