SGS Publishes Update on Recent California Prop 65 Notices of Violation for Textile Products
SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is advising textile companies that several California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) Notices have been issued in relation to bisphenol A (BPA) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in variety of products.
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) issued these legal notices after testing a number of textile products and finding BPA and various types of PFAS. . These products did not carry Prop 65 warning labels.
BPA was found in women’s sports bras and athletic shirts. The CEH results determined that the clothing could expose wearers to up to 22 times the safe habor limit. The maximum allowable dose level for BPA via skin exposure is three micrograms per day. The investigations found BPA only in clothing containing Spandex.
PFAS is also increasingly becoming a target for Prop 65 enforcement actions. In the last few months, there have been eight notices of violation filed against companies for alleged exposure to PFOS and PFOA. The list of products involved includes bibs, bath pillows, jackets, golf umbrellas, fabric shower liners, crib mattress pads and tablecloths.
Stakeholders should be aware that under the terms of California bill AB 1817[1], intentionally added PFAS will be prohibited in the manufacture, distribution and sale of textiles from 2025.
BPA is listed under Prop 65 as a reproductive and developmental toxicant. Exposure comes via ingestion or absorption from the skin. The CEH is asking sportwear manufacturers to reformulate their products and wearers to limit the time they spend in activewear by changing after each workout.
PFAS are commonly used in textile products (apparel, footwear, bedding, draperies, upholstery, etc.) to provide water, grease or stain repellent or resistant properties. PFAS are hazardous to human health and highly persistent in the environment, which is why they are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’.
Under California Prop 65, businesses are required to provide warnings to consumers (Prop 65 Warning) for those chemicals that can cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
SGS Softlines Services
SGS has a worldwide network of over 40 state-of-the-art laboratories, including 10 in China, specializing in testing of apparel, footwear, and home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, allowing them to conduct a comprehensive range of physical, chemical, and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance, and compliance with international, industrial, and regulatory standards worldwide. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full California Proposition 65 Notices for BPA in Sports Bras and Athletic Shirts, and for PFOA/PFOS in Textile Products SafeGuardS.
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For further information contact:
Louann Spirito
Consumer and Retail – Softlines
US & Canada Softlines Business Head
Tel: +1 973 461 7919
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.sgs.com/softlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 96,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.
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