SGS, one of the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, has recently reviewed the regulatory situation in the Asian and Egyptian markets. It reported that in some of the countries, sophisticated official control systems are now in place that affects homegrown and imported apparel.

Arising from the necessity for the compliance of the exports with EU and US safety regulations and the corresponding restrictions on substances, the report says not only have emerging countries like South Korea(2010), Taiwan(2011) and Egypt(2012) adapted, but also developed their own textiles and clothing consumer safety regulation that are mandatory for all retailers and brands that wish   to sell their products in the markets.

For example, Azo dyes, typically used as colorant in textiles and apparel for stiffening and permanent pressing of fabrics has been identified as a high risk for formaldehyde failures with pigment print. It is a highly toxic chemical that can cause canner or induce irritation to mucous membranes, despite being widely useful. Egypt, China, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam restrict the use of formaldehyde, but it is not yet restricted by India.

Meanwhile, the uses for lead in textiles and apparel are associated with plastics, mental accessories paints and dyes. Also suspected as carcinogens, lead and its derivatives can seriously impact the human kidneys, immune system and central nervous system. SGS stated restrictions on the use of lead are in force in Egypt, South Korea and Taiwan.

Chemical hazards have aroused increasing awareness of their drawbacks to the environment. Enforcing prudent chemical safety measures in your supply chain, on the other hand, can become a company’s social responsibility to the public and positively reflects on brand image, SGS remarks.