ETAD
The Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic
Pigments Manufacturers (ETAD) member companies coordinate their efforts to
minimize adverse impacts of organic colorants on health and the environment.
Member companies are obliged to adhere to the ETAD Code of
Ethics, based on the principles of responsible care. They must also comply with
all national and international chemical regulations.
ETAD promotes product stewardship, international efforts on
environmental and workplace protection, and the development and harmonization
of test methods. ETAD has generated a database of chemicals produced by its
member companies and has developed guidelines to reduce exposure for workers.
Members pledge to develop, produce, and distribute products
in a responsible manner that protects human health and the environment from
unacceptable risks during manufacture, transport, use, and disposal.
A primary objective of the ETAD Code of Ethics is to ensure
customers in countries with less stringent requirements get the same hazard
information about chemical substances that is made available to their
counterparts in countries with more comprehensive regulations.
EU Eco-Label
The Flower is the symbol of the European Eco-label, a
voluntary scheme designed to encourage businesses to market products and
services that are kinder to the environment, as part of a broader strategy
aimed at promoting sustainable consumption and production.
This program was developed with input from
representatives of industry, commerce, environmental and consumer
organizations, and trade unions. The flower label can be found throughout the
European Union as well as in Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.
The label is awarded only to those products with the lowest
environmental impact in a product range, based on studies analyzing the impact
of the product on the environment throughout its life-cycle, starting from raw
material extraction in the pre-production stage, through production,
distribution, and disposal.
The flower on a hang-tag guarantees consumers that the
textile was produced with limited use of substances harmful to human health or
the environment and reduced water and air pollution. The tag also indicates
performance guarantees for shrink resistance to home laundering, and color
resistance to washing, rubbing, and light exposure.
WRAP
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certifies
compliant manufacturing and service facilities to a 12-point labor and
environmental code. The program looks at RSLs as part of its certifications,
especially as part of the new WRAPe program, which investigates chemical use,
restricted chemicals, and REACH compliance.
"We'll also look for compliance with country
legislations, EPA occupational exposure, and Material Safety Data Sheets,"
says Steven A. Jesseph, vice chair, president, and CEO of WRAP. "The WRAPe
certification program will feature enhanced environmental assessment with a
75-point weighted scale of environmental assessment, noting if a manufacturer
complies with RSLs and looking at textile facility dyehouse washing, color
removal, stone washing, foam moldings, VOCs, and the manufacturers' processes
for dealing with waste and indoor and external air emissions."
Originally published in AATCC News;
July 2009 AATCC
About the Author
The author
is associated with AATCC.
