New Vietnamese standards for formaldehyde and azo dye in textiles since July

On 30 October 2015, Industrial and Trade Department of Vietnam issued Circular No. 37/2015/TT-BCT to amend limits for residues of formaldehyde and aromatic amine (from azo dye) in textiles. With the transitional period ending on 30 June 2016, textiles exporting to the Vietnam shall comply with new limits for formaldehyde and aromatic amine.

The limits hereof are consistent with Circular No. G/TBT/N/VNM/13/Rev.1 notified by Vietnam to the WTO as the following:
I. Formaldehyde: (residue)
1) Textiles for children under three years of age: ≤30mg/kg;
2) Textiles intended to come into direct contact with skin: ≤75mg/kg;
3) Textiles inaccessible with skin: ≤300mg/kg;
II. The aromatic amine residue in textiles shall not exceed 30mg/kg.

It has to be noted that national certificates and bio-labels such as Oeko-Tex® is only for verification but cannot prove that the products comply with the Vietnamese standards.

Where the textiles contain excessive levels of formaldehyde, dermatitis and stains will be caused by direct contact with the skin, and even chronic toxicity may be induced if absorbed by the general public. Some azo dyes in textiles will form carcinogenic aromatic amine compounds and cause diseases.

C&K Testing advises related businesses should learn about the new regulations and pay due attention to product testing so as to avoid enormous losses caused by non-compliance.

【中文版】

Further information
Vietnam amends limits for formaldehyde and azo dye in textiles——C&K Testing