Which disperse dyes are prohibited in textiles under REACH regulation?

Several disperse dyes are prohibited in textiles under REACH Annex XVII due to their potential to cause allergic reactions and skin sensitisation. These banned disperse dyes include specific chemical compounds that have been identified as health risks when used in textile manufacturing. The restrictions apply to textiles that come into direct contact with human skin.

What are disperse dyes and why are some prohibited in textiles under REACH?

Disperse dyes are synthetic colouring agents specifically designed for dyeing synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acetate. Unlike other dye types, disperse dyes have low water solubility and penetrate synthetic fibres through heat and pressure during the dyeing process.

These dyes became widely used in textile manufacturing because they create vibrant, long-lasting colours on synthetic materials. However, certain disperse dyes can cause allergic contact dermatitis and skin sensitisation when textiles treated with these substances come into direct contact with human skin.

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation protects human health and the environment by controlling chemical substances used in manufacturing. The regulation identified specific disperse dyes as problematic after scientific evidence showed they could trigger allergic reactions, particularly in sensitive individuals. This led to their inclusion in REACH Annex XVII, which lists restricted substances.

Which specific disperse dyes are banned under REACH Annex XVII?

REACH Annex XVII Entry 72 specifically prohibits several disperse dyes in textile articles intended to come into direct contact with human skin. The banned disperse dyes include:

Dye Category	Prohibited Disperse Dyes
Blue Dyes	Disperse Blue 1, 3, 7, 26, 35, 102, 106, 124
Brown Dyes	Disperse Brown 1
Orange Dyes	Disperse Orange 1, 3, 37, 76
Red Dyes	Disperse Red 1, 11, 17
Yellow Dyes	Disperse Yellow 1, 3, 9, 39, 54, 119

The restriction applies when these dyes are present in concentrations equal to or greater than 50 mg/kg (0.005% by weight) in individual textile articles. This concentration limit recognises that trace amounts may be unavoidable due to manufacturing processes, but sets a threshold below which health risks are considered minimal.

Textile articles covered by this restriction include:

Clothing and garments
Bedding and bed linens
Towels and bath textiles
Wigs and false beards
Any other textile products that come into direct and prolonged contact with human skin during normal use

How do you ensure your textile products comply with REACH disperse dye restrictions?

Manufacturers and importers must implement comprehensive testing and documentation procedures to verify disperse dye compliance. Here’s a systematic approach:

Testing and Quality Control

Establish testing protocols that screen for all prohibited disperse dyes listed in REACH Annex XVII Entry 72
Ensure concentrations remain below 50 mg/kg for each restricted substance
Implement regular batch testing procedures for incoming materials
Use accredited laboratories for compliance testing

Supplier Management

Work closely with textile suppliers to obtain detailed information about dyes and chemicals used in production
Require suppliers to provide written declarations confirming they do not use prohibited disperse dyes
Implement regular audit procedures to verify supplier claims
Establish clear contractual requirements for chemical compliance

Documentation Requirements

Maintain comprehensive records including:

Test certificates from accredited laboratories
Supplier declarations and chemical composition records
Batch tracking documentation
Compliance certificates for each textile product

These documents must be readily available for market surveillance authorities and should clearly demonstrate compliance with REACH restrictions.

If you place textile products on the EU market without an established EU presence, you must designate an Authorised Representative under REACH. For certain consumer products, you may also need to appoint a Responsible Person under the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) (EU) 2023/988, depending on the specific requirements applicable to your products.

Understanding and complying with disperse dye restrictions protects both consumers and your business from regulatory consequences. We specialise in helping companies navigate these complex EU chemical regulations and can support your compliance efforts as your designated representative, ensuring your textile products meet all applicable safety requirements while maintaining smooth market access.

If you are looking for support or to learn more, contact our team of experts today.