BRUSSELS – A draft of new textile product criteria for the EU EcoLabel standard has just been approved at a meeting of the EU Ecolabel Regulatory Committee where it was agreed that cotton and other natural cellulosic fibres will have to contain a minimum content of organic or ‘IPM’ (integrated pest management) cottons. In addition, new criteria will be put in place for man-made cellulosics, recycled synthetic fibres and wool scouring. Fluorine chemistry used for water, oil and stain repellency will be banned under the voluntary standard and for the first time a brand new restricted substance list will be introduced. The Decision will now go through Council for rubber-stamping, after which, the new criteria will be valid for at least four years from the date of the adoption.
