Skip to main content

TECHNICAL UPDATE - REACH Mark of Certification

 One of the most widely accepted and strictly enforced is REACH. Regulating the use of chemicals in the process of manufacture, this certification from Europe has had far reaching ramification with manufacturers / importers & exporters to EU rushing to be REACH compliant.



REACH is the regulation by the European Community on chemicals and their safe use. It looks at the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances. REACH is made up of the first letters of each of the above in the definition. It came into existence as a law in June 2007. The reason for its enforcement was the wide prevalence of using chemicals in the growing / manufacturing processes which had harmful side effects. A large amount of chemicals was being used, with little or no information on its effects or what it was. This was a process of gathering the information to provide greater safety, responsibility in its handling. Another problem was that the policy on the use of chemicals has been historically patchy. As new and newer chemicals entered the lexicon, regulations were put in place for it specifically. An overall picture of the chemicals was not there and there was a distinction between new chemicals and existing chemicals. REACH has aimed at creating a single system for all chemicals. It places the onus on the manufacturers to understand the use of chemicals and their effect on human lives. This results in the proper management of the chemicals and understanding of its properties and effect.

A very rigorous system is used for REACH. The manufacturer in say the apparel industry needs to understand the chemicals used in every stage. So chemicals used in the production of yarns, the dyeing process, washing, manufacturing of yarns etc have to documented and the apparel manufacturer understand it and its implications in the apparel. Most retailers though tend to push their suppliers at every stage to get REACH compliance, so the end result is certified. The major problem has been for those exporting to EU and are sourcing their products from elsewhere. In such a situation most do not have high quality information available on chemicals used in the manufacturing process. The process becomes all the more complicated when say fabric from India or buttons manufactured in India are to be used in a product which will ultimately reach EU.  In a bid to further tighten the regulations, 31st May 2013 is the deadline for the registration of all substances manufactured or imported above 100 tonnes per year has to be registered. What REACH aims at doing is to provide transparency and information in the industry, it instills a process of innovation and of course competitiveness. At the same time textiles manufactured in the EU where it is easier for compliance definitely have an edge over the others.

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FROM THE ANNALS OF HISTORY - Dr. Ghada Hiijawi-Qaddumi - President World Craft Council - Asia Pacific Region (2013-20)

Dr. Ghada Hijjawi-Qaddumi, President/World Craft Council – Asia Pacific Region (2013-2020) passed away on   1 st April 2021.   I had met her when she was here for the World Ikkat Exhibition. I had written about it for the Hindu    Ikat - binding the world   a nd   Silkmark Magazine. This interview or her thoughts in general was published in the Silkmark Magazine. She was kind enough to share her thoughts on crafts in general.     WCC-Asia Pacific Region, an NGO established 1964, comprises 5 Regions, one of which is Asia Pacific Region.  Being the richest in traditional handicrafts it is the most active in launching programmes.   All events aim at spreading awareness (among artisans, and people in general), of the cultural value of handicrafts, and their economic and social importance in the life of communities, individuals and nations.   We believe that the "Pride" of artisans in their crafts, is an important part of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

BOOK REVIEW - Divyambara (Masterpieces of costume from the Collection of the National Museum) by Dr. Lotika Vardarajan

We do a book review this time,  this book Divyambara (Masterpieces of costume from the Collection of the National Museum) by Dr. Lotika Vardarajan with contribution from Sushmit Sharma brought out by the National Museum, New Delhi. Dr. Lotika Vardarajan, a Tagore Fellow passed away suddenly before the book could be released. It is an ideal tribute to her vast knowledge, enthusiasm and spirit in the world of revival and documentation of traditional crafts, arts and preservation of heritage of the country. The book can be called a catalogue, anthology, brief history of sorts of the textile collection at the National Museum. It traces the origins of the textile department which falls under the section of Decorative Arts and then the building of the collection. There are interesting insights which one does not get to hear. The introduction by Dr. Mani clearly states that unlike other Museums which had a repertoire of collected textiles presented to them or gifted to them to begin wit...
Post a Comment
Read more

INSPIRATIONALLY YOURS - MUDMEE SILK

Textile exhibitions in Delhi are few and far between, therefore this organised by The Royal Thai Embassy , New Delhi, Republic of India, in collaboration with The National Museum, New Delhi and The Thai Khadi Research Institute, Thammasat University was a stunner and eye opener to say the least. It had on display some fabulous selection of Thai Mudmee – weft ikat fom Thailand.  This was seeing a lot of it for the first time and what a sight to behold it was. The exhibition had on display fabulous Thai silk threads, there was a short film of the rearing of the cocoons to the reeling and weaving of the silk. What was a stunner was the brilliant single ikat on display. Single ikat unlike what we have seen from Gujarat,  Andhra Pradesh or Orissa. The depth of the motifs, colours all fit in beautiful. What added the extra dimension to the exhibition was the display of textiles both antique, vintage and of course contemporary. It not only helped understand the textile and its innova...
Post a Comment
Read more