When shopping for textiles, you may come across the term REACH and wonder what it means and why it matters. This article breaks down REACH in the context of textiles, explaining what the regulation is, how it works, and why it matters for your health, safety, and the environment.

What Does REACH Stand For?

REACH means Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals. It is a strict regulation enforced by the European Union (EU) designed to control chemicals used in products, including textiles, to protect human health and the environment.

Key points:

• REACH applies to all chemical substances used in manufacturing, including those in everyday consumer goods like clothing, furniture, and electronics.
• Introduced in 2007, it places responsibility on manufacturers and importers to prove their products are safe and manage risks.
• The regulation is enforced by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

How Does REACH Work in Textiles?

Textile manufacturers and importers must ensure their products do not contain dangerous substances above set limits. The regulation focuses heavily on substances classified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs).

REACH requirements for textiles include:

• Limiting SVHCs content in products to less than 0.1% by weight.
• Restricting specific chemicals such as certain azo dyes, phthalates, PFAS, nickel, cadmium, and chromium VI, which can cause cancer, genetic damage, or hormone disruption.
• Communicating any SVHC presence in products along the supply chain.

Eco Fact:
An important update, Entry 72 in Annex XVII, specifically restricts 33 harmful substances that may be present in textiles that contact human skin — covering clothing, footwear, and accessories.

Why is REACH Important for Consumers?

For shoppers, REACH compliance offers several benefits:

• Safety: Ensures textiles are free from harmful chemicals linked to cancer, allergies, and reproductive harm.
• Transparency: Manufacturers must provide information about restricted substances when asked.
• Sustainability: Encourages substitution of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives, supporting eco-friendly production.

What to Know:
There is no official ‘REACH certification’ stamp. Compliance is documented by companies and verified through laboratory testing, often by third-party labs.

How Do Companies Ensure REACH Compliance?

Manufacturers and importers take multiple steps to adhere to REACH standards:

• Conducting chemical testing through accredited labs to detect SVHCs.
• Keeping up-to-date with the European Chemicals Agency’s updates on restricted substances.
• Documenting safety measures internally and providing information to customers or authorities upon request.
• Replacing hazardous substances with safer alternatives wherever possible.

How Can You Check If a Textile Product Complies with REACH?

• Ask manufacturers or retailers if the product is REACH compliant.
• Request documentation or lab test reports confirming absence of SVHCs.
• Look for transparency in material sourcing and chemical safety disclosures.
• Remember, REACH primarily governs the European market, but many international brands adopt these standards globally.

Takeaway: Making Safe and Ethical Textile Choices

Understanding REACH empowers you as a consumer to make informed choices about the textiles you buy. By choosing products compliant with REACH:

• You reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.
• Support brands respecting strict environmental and health standards.
• Encourage innovation in safer, sustainable textile production.

In summary: REACH is a robust European regulatory framework ensuring that chemicals in textiles do not pose unacceptable risks to people or the planet. Though compliance may seem complex, it serves as a critical benchmark for textile safety and sustainability in today’s global market.

At Design Delight Studio, we believe clothing should be as kind to the planet as it is to your skin. Our apparel is certified by leading global standards like GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, and PETA-Approved Vegan — designed with transparency, comfort, and sustainability in every stitch.