The European Union recently issued new regulations requiring that the content of nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (NPE) in textile products shall not exceed 0.01% (100ppm). The regulatory transition period is 5 years. After the expiration of the period, products that do not meet the limit requirements will not be allowed to be sold or imported in the EU market. Industry insiders analyze that the introduction of this regulation will have a greater impact on textile exports to the EU.
It is understood that NPE is a non-ionic surfactant with good penetration, emulsification and dispersion properties. It is widely used in cleaning, dyeing and washing processes in the textile production process. Relevant data shows that NPE is the most commonly used detergent and dyeing auxiliary in the textile industry, accounting for more than 80% of my country’s market share. However, NPE is a world-recognized environmental hormone that is persistent and bioaccumulative. Once discharged into the environment, it will exist for a long time and can enter the food chain, affecting the normal reproduction and development of organisms. Once NPE in textiles enters the environment, it will decompose into components such as the more toxic environmental hormone NP (nonylphenol).
Industry insiders analyze that since NPE is the most commonly used detergent and dyeing auxiliary in the textile industry, more than 50% of textile products currently on the market cannot meet the EU NPE limit requirements, especially printing and dyeing, leather, chemical fiber and other enterprises. outstanding, therefore, more than half of the products may face the risk of being eliminated. In addition, in order to comply with the new EU regulations, production companies need to upgrade scouring, bleaching, dyeing and other processes. The processes are complex and parameter control is difficult, resulting in increased corporate costs. Raw material and testing costs may also increase by 10% to 30%. .
Industry insiders remind companies to pay close attention to and track the progress of the new NPE regulations, understand the specific content of the ban, and proactively formulate detailed response strategies; use the transition period of regulations to improve production processes and conduct research on NPE alternative products. and development, improve the level of clean production technology of enterprises; improve the quality management system, strengthen the quality of purchased raw materials and the quality control of the production process, and ensure that the quality of export products meets the laws, regulations and contract requirements of the importing country.
