7 - Chemical compliance and regulations in textiles and fashion

Abstract

Textile industry is one of the largest and complicated industrial chains in terms of the manufacturing practice. Literally, textile unit consumes numerous chemicals constituting dyestuffs about 80%. Maintaining the sustainable use of chemicals in the manufacturing of fashion-filled garments without inducing hazardous effects on the environment and working atmosphere is quoted as an agenda in well-established companies. Chemical management in textile industry acts as a supply chain in reducing reputational and financial risks. Chemical compliance is important in controlling the health or environmental related hazard that includes sustainable use of chemicals in manufacturing process and understanding multitiered textile supply chain. Factors to control the use of hazardous substances such as alkylphenol ethoxylates, phthalate plasticizers, formaldehyde, inorganic and organic solvents, and azo dyes are considered through proper awareness among public, following the framed regulation and standards, safety among workers and consumers, and stabilized procedures. Different laws are enforced by EPA, Government of India for constrained use and minimize the toxic effects. Unlike other industries, textile industry also induces environmental pollution that starts from fiber to finished product. Although complete control on toxicity effects cannot be achieved, steps to minimize it to a water reactive possible extent are considered. Some of the tools such as legislation, adaptation of cleaner technologies, and waste minimization from chemicals are considered. This chapter deals with concepts such as details about hazardous chemicals, chemical handling procedures, regulations followed for hazardous chemicals, EPA rules for controlling the pollution and waste minimization, and concept of REACH and impacts.