'Legislation and regulations on chemical substances used in finished products have changed significantly in recent years. Measuring them is now a necessity for manufacturers, brands and distributors.'
Nathalie Humbert PhD, Deputy Laboratories Director
Because of their specialization, CTC's chemical analysis laboratories are very familiar with the materials, components and chemicals used in the fashion, luxury, sports and personal protective equipment industries.
CTC is largely involved in international standardization committees. On the other hand, the regulatory monitoring work carried out by our experts to anticipate changes allows us to recommend the most relevant analyses for your products. CTC will therefore recommend the appropriate analyses based on the materials that make up your product, but also according to the country of sale and therefore the applicable legislation.
We carry out, at CTC, the chemical testing allowing the quantification of the substances harmful for the man or for the environment. These tests can be carried out for all types of items (shoes, leather goods, glove, clothing, accessories, personal protective equipment ...): we are able to assist you to define a testing program adapted to the different materials of your products, by our knowledge of the matrix "leather", "textile", "polymer" and "metal".
We also carry out chemical testing in the "water matrix" with our microbiological analysis laboratory, also called environmental analysis laboratory.
We will offer a customized chemical analysis program to meet the requirements for your items, for example:
The testing program will also take into account your internal quality requirements (specifications, "RSL" restricted substances list).
Consumer goods intended for sale on the European market must respect multiple chemical constraints, particularly those defined in the REACh Regulation. It is a European Union (EU) regulation adopted at the end of 2006 to protect human health and the environment against the risks associated with chemical substances.
Through its Annex XVII, the REACh Regulation sets out mandatory restrictions for articles intended for European consumers, whether manufactured in one of the European Union countries or outside Europe. This appendix evolves periodically with the definition of new chemical requirements: CTC has a watch activity to allow you to anticipate future changes.
In addition to restrictions, the REACh regulation may impose a communication requirement for certain substances in your articles. These are the substances identified as SVHC (Substance of Very High Concern) on the Candidate List.
In the long term, Europe aims to include these SVHCs in its Annex XIV to submit their use for authorization. Without authorization, these substances will cannot be longer used in European factories.
CTC's expertise identifies SVHC critical substances for leather, textile and polymer materials.
Controlled hazardous chemicals in products may be allergens, irritants or CMRs (carcinogens, mutagens, or toxic to reproduction). Among the substances regulated or known for their dangerousness, the CTC laboratories propose the following analyses (non-exhaustive list):
CTC laboratories, accredited according to ISO 17025, are dedicated to fashion, luxury and sports clothing and accessories. They are ideally located in manufacturing areas in Europe, China, India, Vietnam, Tunisia, ...
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