The Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden updated information on new requirements in the latest version of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for textile and apparel products for business and consumption in this market region.

The Nordic swan eco-label is the official eco-label for all Nordic countries: Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The Nordic Ecolabel works to reduce the environmental impact of production and consumption, and to make it easier for consumers and buyers to choose goods and services that are best for the environment.

On average, each Nordic person buys 13–16 kg of new textiles per year.

The Nordic Ecolabels Agency is now making more ambitious requirements to push the textile industry to change, grow in a more sustainable and circular direction. “It is now important for the industry to accept the challenge and use existing tools to make the process change,” said Cathrine Pia Lund, CEO of the Ecolabel Agency in Norway. easier.

Based on the criteria of the EU Textile Strategy, in version 5.0 of the Nordic Ecolabel, products are subject to more design and chemical requirements, stringent environmental requirements in all respects. all relevant stages of the product life cycle; including some of the most important new requirements to keep in mind.

Designed for recycling
To ensure that textiles are designed to be recycled, the Nordic eco-label sets out strict requirements for unwanted chemicals and prohibits the use of plastic and metal parts for purposes only. decorate. In addition, recycled fabrics can be used that meet some of the requirements for the redesign.

It is forbidden to burn unsold clothes
To avoid overproduction, the Nordic eco-label prohibits burning or burying unsold clothing. In addition, manufacturers must report the Nordic Ecolabelling Agency for the disposal of excess product.

Stricter requirements for natural and synthetic fibers
Textile fibers must be organic, recycled or bio-sourced. The cotton used in Nordic eco-labelled clothing is not made from a genetically modified product (GMO) and must be 100% organic or recycled. Wool must be certified organic or recycled.

For workwear, specific requirements apply. Synthetic fibers must be recycled or made from renewable raw materials. Cellulose fibers must be FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Forest Standards Certified) certified.

Greater durability and quality
Textile fabrics must be tested to ensure new criteria for durability such as abrasion, fading, elongation, seam strength, as well as color fastness to contact with sweat and saliva. These tests are based on the ISO standard.

In addition, stricter requirements for elasticity and shrinkage are introduced, along with color fastness to light being extended to some product groups (e.g. swimwear, outerwear). weather) and caking (including wool).

Chemistry
Among the chemicals that will be banned in the new version are CMR substances (carcinogens, mutagenic, or reproductive effects) and chemicals containing silicon. In addition, specific requirements are set for VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in tryp embryos, PFAs, biocides and antibacterial agents, metal-complex dyes and pigments.

Implement best practices available (BAT)
The textile product manufacturer must demonstrate that the energy used, for example, washing, drying, bleaching and curing related to dyeing, printing and finishing textiles, is measured and compared with BAT levels or separate metrics, before implementing performance improvement techniques.

This means that water consumption associated with wet processes, such as dyeing, printing and finishing textiles, must be measured. In addition, there must be documentation that the manufacturing facilities have implemented a minimum of BAT energy and water efficient techniques or initiatives or produced their own solar energy.

Requirements for microplastics
Manufacturers must measure how much microplastics are released when washing synthetic textiles. This must be measured with a standardized test method and the Nordic Ecolabel encourages the results to be reported to the Microfibre Foundation with the goal of establishing a time limit value.

The working environment must comply with ILO conventions
The Nordic ecolabelled textile manufacturers must comply with the ILO (United Nations International Labor Organization) conventions, which prohibit forced, child labor and segregation. discrimination, and set reasonable wage and hour requirements. The Nordic Ecolabel also conducts physical inspections of all manufacturing facilities, no matter where they are located in the world.

“We are now strengthening our product design and manufacturing process requirements to increase quality and facilitate a circular economy in the textile industry,” said Anne-Grethe Henriksen, Director marketing and communications director of the Nordic Ecolabel Agency in Norway.

Hoang Phuong