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What's hiding in your textile products?
5 substances of concern widely used in textiles
Problematic chemicals keep showing up in textile products, posing risks to human health and the environment, leading to potential challenges for your business.
Understanding what’s in your products is the first step towards chemical transparency; helping you to create safer, more sustainable products that your customers trust.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Widely used to
Make fabrics water-, stain-, and oil-repellent
Commonly found in
Waterproof coatings, stain-resistant treatments, outdoor apparel and upholstery
Concerns
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment. Exposure to these substances is linked to cancer, immune system impacts, and developmental harm
Regulatory and market trends
PFAS is increasingly restricted globally by being limited or phased out entirely under EU REACH, expanding state-level bans in the US, and brands moving toward PFAS-free products
Why the need for chemical transparency?
Knowing where PFAS are in your products is critical to ensuring compliance with different jurisdictions and variances in requirements. Some regulations also require historical knowledge of PFAS
Phthalates
Widely used to
Make plastics soft and flexible
Commonly found in
Screen-printed logos, synthetic leathers and coated fabrics
Concerns
Linked to reproductive and developmental toxicity, with a particular concern for children’s exposure
Regulatory and market trends
Restricted in toys and children’s products via the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and EU REACH, with growing brand bans across all product categories
Why the need for chemical transparency?
Phthalates are often used in surface treatments rather than directly in fabrics, making them hard to identify from product specifications alone
Formaldehyde
Widely used to
Make fabrics wrinkle-resistant, shrink-resistant, anti-static or anti-mildew
Commonly found in
Wrinkle-free apparel, curtains, upholstery and blended fabrics
Concerns
Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and causes respiratory irritation and allergic skin reactions, even at low exposure levels
Regulatory and market trends
Regulated in textiles in China and Japan, and under Oeko-Tex® standards. Many brands have set internal formaldehyde limits
Why the need for chemical transparency?
The substance is often used in finishing processes that may not be disclosed. Knowing where and how it’s used is essential for compliance and safer product development
Azo dyes
Widely used to
Provide vibrant, long-lasting colors in textiles
Commonly found in
Brightly dyed fabrics, especially reds, oranges, yellows, and blacks
Concerns
Certain azo dyes can break down into carcinogenic aromatic amines, posing risks through skin contact or prolonged exposure
Regulatory and market trends
Restricted in skin-contact textiles in the EU, Turkey, and other regions, and limited under Oeko-Tex® standards
Why the need for chemical transparency?
Color alone doesn’t reveal chemical content, and similar-colored fabrics may have very different chemical profiles. Chemical transparency is essential for compliance and safer product development
Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium VI and more)
Widely used as
Pigments, dyes, mordants and tanning agents
Commonly found in
Pigments (reds, yellows and greens), leather goods and some metallic finishes
Concerns
Heavy metals are toxic even at low concentrations. Exposure is linked to neurotoxicity, organ damage, cancer and environmental contamination
Regulatory and market trends
Strict limits under REACH, California Proposition 65 and Oeko-Tex® standards. There’s growing pressure for metal-free colorants and finishes
Why the need for chemical transparency?
Heavy metals may be present in dyes or finishes without clear labeling. Transparency is essential for product safety and compliance
Why are these substances of concern hidden?
Many harmful chemicals widely used in textiles – like PFAS, azo dyes and formaldehyde – are often mistakenly left off safety data sheets (SDSs) and other supplier documents. They’re often used in coatings, dyes, or treatments applied during manufacturing, often with limited supplier disclosure.
Without chemical transparency, these substances can remain undetected in your products, posing hidden risks to health, the environment, and your brand.