Product Safety - current issues
AZO Dyes - current product recalls in Australia
- There are 3 product recalls currently enacted by 3 businesses in Clothing and Textile homewares in Australia. These are a result of testing commissioned by the ACCC for harmful substances on 199 products.
- Azo dyes are a classification of dyestuffs used in clothing and textiles and many of them are perfectly safe for use on products we wear or se next to our skin, it is a small percentage that are classified as harmful.
- Some dyestuffs and other textile processing chemicals have been identified as hazardous for a variety of reasons, some of which are:
- Carcinogenic and/ or mutagenic
- Endochrine disruptors - e.g. affecting reproductive systems of animals in polluted waterways
- Allergens and Irritants - e.g. creating rashes, sickness and headaches etc. in some people.
- Some ways retailers and manufacturers can work to avoid these substances:
- Implement a Restricted Substance List policy for all suppliers and their suppliers for products in their chain.
- Implement due dilligence testing on their products to check for substances that are harmful.
- Use supply chains with products classified as safe by EU REACH standards.
- Look for component suppliers, or components, that are 'Oekotex' accredited, this is one form of commercially known certification for product safety in this sector.
Useful Links
http://echa.europa.eu/chemicals-in-our-life
https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/consumers/what_is_oeko_tex/what_is_oeko_tex.html
If you are a retailer or product developer wishing to understand more, or conduct a health check for your current supply chain compliance and policies for product and chemical safety please do get in touch with Paula or Meriel.