More sustainable use of chemicals in the textile industry

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Chemicals are commonly used in the textile and apparel industry. This can begin as early as the farm, where pesticides may be used for growing raw materials such as cotton or flax. Chemicals may also be used in the production of apparel itself, such as fabric dyeing and treatments (e.g. odor or wrinkle resistance), or for aesthetic purposes, such as denim finishes or other decorative touches.

As consumers become more concerned about the materials and processes involved in the making of their products, how can we ensure more sustainable use of chemicals in the textile and apparel industry?

What regulatory requirements exist?

Today, some regulations have been implemented to help regulate the use of chemical substances in general:

The EU’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation applies to all chemical substances used in both industrial and consumer applications. The law requires companies to demonstrate how they are managing potential risks as well as how chemical substances can be safely used.
In the US, the TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) regulates both the introduction of new chemicals and the use of existing chemicals. This law was introduced in 1976 and updated in 2016 by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21^st Century Act.
China’s MEP Order 7 (also known as China REACH) is similar to the EU REACH regulation. Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to submit notifications and obtain approvals before producing or importing chemicals.

However, none of these regulations target the use of chemicals in textiles or apparel products specifically.

Of course, this does not mean that chemicals are freely used in textile and apparel production. Companies often develop Restricted Substances Lists (RSLs) to provide global suppliers with guidelines limiting the amount of chemicals that can be present in finished products. Manufacturers can also implement their own RSLs to restrict hazardous chemicals used during the manufacturing process. While these lists are often created in response to governmental regulations, they are ultimately maintained by businesses or associations, such as the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)’s RSL.

For consumers seeking more transparent, sustainable, and ethical products, the lack of regulations specific to chemical use in apparel may be cause for concern. However, new initiatives are now paving the way for more responsible chemical practices in the fashion industry.

Reducing the need for chemicals

color Many current initiatives for reducing chemicals in the apparel industry focus on denim production, as denim often uses dyes and other chemical-based finishing processes to create a final product.

Several innovative companies are creating new processes to reduce chemical usage in denim:

Textile printing firm Intech Digital replaces dyes with digital printing, significantly reducing water usage and waste¹
Huntsman, a major dye supplier, has produced a line of reformulated dyes free from hazardous chemicals¹
Start-up ColorZen has developed a pretreatment that strengthens the bond between dyes and cotton fibers, thus reducing the amount of dye and other chemicals required¹
Denim manufacturer Saitex, whose clients include J. Crew, Target, and G-Star Raw, has implemented measures to reuse wastewater (often mixed with dyes) in its building materials²
In 2018, Levi’s introduced an initiative using lasers instead of chemicals and other labor-intensive process to finish their jeans³

These initiatives prove that the fashion industry need not rely as heavily on chemicals as in the past. Major apparel brands are also taking note and have made public commitments to improve their chemical management. Gap Inc., H&M and PVH, which owns major brands such as Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, all aim to eliminate the use and discharge of hazardous chemicals in their supply chains by 2020.

Takeaways

What should textile and apparel businesses do to use chemicals more responsibly and sustainably?

Be willing to change existing methods. This will likely mean investing time and resources to assess and revamp existing practices. Change will not happen overnight, but return on investment will come once the right tools and processes are in place.
Collaborate with supply chain partners. Change cannot happen in a vacuum. Communicate with your supply chain to see how everyone involved can implement and benefit from more sustainable chemical practices.
Gain greater supply chain visibility. Gather data about your direct and indirect suppliers, their facilities, and their practices to ensure your supply chains comply with your new chemical management practices. The Transparency-One platform can help identify supply chains down to the source and ensure compliance at all tiers.

A way forward exists for more sustainable chemical use in the textile and apparel industry. Businesses along the entire supply chain need to be willing to lead the way.

More sustainable use of chemicals in the textile industry

What regulatory requirements exist?

Reducing the need for chemicals

Takeaways

Sources

AAFA Product Safety Seminar (February 7, Long Beach, California)

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