REACH is the European Union's regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, administered by the European Chemicals Agency. For a textile importer the part that matters most is Annex XVII, the list of restrictions, which limits substances such as azo dyes that release certain aromatic amines, formaldehyde in articles that touch the skin, and a range of other chemicals used in dyeing, printing and finishing.
If you import textiles into the EU, you are the party responsible for making sure the goods comply. The Indian mill is outside the EU and has no direct obligation under REACH, which is why the testing and the paperwork sit with the buyer.
What REACH restricts in textiles
- Azo dyes that can release listed aromatic amines above 30 mg/kg, which affects dyed and printed cotton, viscose and other fibres.
- Formaldehyde in textiles that come into contact with the skin, relevant to the resin finishes used for easy-care and crease resistance.
- Other substance groups used in finishing, printing and coating, including certain heavy metals, phthalates in plastisol prints and coatings, and some flame retardant and water-repellent chemistries.
- Substances of very high concern, which carry a duty to inform customers above a threshold concentration even where no restriction applies.
How REACH works in practice
Most brands turn REACH into a Restricted Substances List, an RSL, which sets out the chemicals and limits they test for, often stricter than the law. The RSL is sent to the supplier with the order and the lab tests the bulk against it. Suppliers in Ahmedabad and Surat are used to this for export orders, but the finishing house and the printer need to see the RSL as well as the mill.
Testing cannot cover every substance economically, so test plans focus on the risks that follow from the process. Dark reactive and direct shades on cellulose are tested for azo amines, resin finishes for formaldehyde, and plastisol prints for phthalates.
The list of restricted substances is long and is amended regularly. Do not rely on a summary like this one for a specific product; ask an accredited lab or your compliance team for the current entries that apply to your fibre, dye and finish.
Keeping a compliance file
Keep a file for each style: the RSL sent, the supplier's declaration, the lab report on sealed bulk samples and the shipment it relates to. Customs and market surveillance authorities in the EU can ask for it long after the goods have sold. Rules change, so confirm the current requirements with an accredited lab or your compliance team before each season. This is general information, not legal advice.
How we help with REACH
We agree the test plan for the EU with you and your RSL, draw sealed samples from the bulk and send them to an NABL-accredited or international lab. We check the report against the spec before loading, supervise the loading and keep you updated weekly. If REACH is new to your sourcing from India, we offer a free 20-minute sourcing review.