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Jiangsu Enterprises First Encounter EU APEO Technical Barriers

2008/4/25 0:00:00 54

Recently, a number of garments exported to France, Holland and other European Union countries in Jiangyin Hai Wang Garments Co., Ltd. were rejected by the APEO content of their printed knitted fabrics more than the requirements of the receiving party. They became the first enterprises in Jiangsu to encounter APEO technical barriers in the EU.

It is understood that some other garment manufacturers in Jiangyin have received the same orders. If they do not take timely measures, these enterprises may also encounter this technical barrier.

To this end, Jiangyin inspection and Quarantine Bureau issued an early-warning notice to Jiangyin clothing enterprises to remind enterprises to pay attention to the EU law.

According to experts, APEO is the abbreviation of alkylphenol polyoxyethylene ether compounds, including alkylphenol (NonylphenolC6H4 (OH) C9H19 referred to as AP) and alkyl phenol vinyl ether (Nonylphenolethoxylate (C2H4O) 11C15H24O referred to as APEO).

It has good wetting, permeating, emulsifying, dispersing, solubilizing and washing functions. It is widely used in textile, leather, detergents, personal care products, paper making, petroleum, metallurgy, pesticide, pharmaceutical, printing, synthetic rubber, synthetic resin, plastics and even food products. The most important uses are washing products and textile auxiliaries. According to statistics, the annual consumption of APEO in the world is as high as 800 thousand tons.

Due to the large biological toxicity, poor biodegradability and degradation of metabolites of APEO, the EU specifically formulated the "2003/53/EC directive" which restricts the use of APEO.

Considering the wide use of APEO in textile processing and the concept of "clean production" and "environment-friendly", some well-known brands and buyers in the world have already requested that enterprises that process and produce their products should not use APEO.

Because the EU's "2003/53/EC directive" did not make specific requirements for the residues of APEO in textiles, the European Union importers had different requirements for the APEO of textile fabrics. Therefore, the Jiangyin inspection and Quarantine Bureau reminded the domestic textile enterprises to strengthen the solution to the requirements of the relevant exporting countries APEO. It is best to obtain the written notification from the foreign receiver or foreign trade company before making the production so as to avoid unnecessary losses.

The experts also pointed out that as China is a large textile country, it needs to consume and discharge a lot of APEO in the printing and dyeing industry, causing long-term pollution to the water environment and soil. Therefore, it is suggested that the relevant departments should pay attention to this problem and organize technical forces to strengthen the APEO monitoring of the water environment and soil around Taihu and the surrounding areas in the developed textile industry, and formulate laws and regulations that restrict the use of APEO as soon as possible.