Vietnamese textile producers criticise formaldehyde directive

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has been urged to retract a directive, which experts say creates unnecessary obstacles for textile and clothing manufacturers.

The directive, which took effect in December 2015, regulates the acceptable levels of formaldehyde and aromatic amines derived from azo dyes in apparel materials imported for local production.

Under the directive, formaldehyde levels in textile materials must not exceed 30 mg/kg in textile products for children under 36 months of age; 75 mg/kg for textile products in direct contact with human skin; and 300 mg/kg for textile products not in direct contact with human skin.

The new directive sets the same limits as one from November 2009, which it replaces, but adds requirements for sampling methods to reflect updated test methods and relevant quality management requirements.

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