US AAFA Updates Restricted Substances List Release 17
SAFEGUARDS | Consumer Products NO. 095/16

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has published the 17th edition of the Restricted Substance List (RSL), updating the list of banned or restricted chemicals and substances in finished home textile, apparel and footwear products.
The AAFA is a national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies and their suppliers by providing a variety of tools to facilitate compliance in the global marketplace. AAFA assists the industry in creating a safer and sustainable supply chain. The latest AAFA RSL Release 17 [1] was published with the major changes outlined in Table 1.
Table 1 – Outline of the AAFA RSL changes from Release 16 to Release 17
Restricted Substance, Test Method, Limit and Comments Modification | |
---|---|
Sections | Changes |
Arylamines |
|
Flame Retardants |
SCCP
|
Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases |
|
Metals |
Restriction for Textiles, Leather, Metal Parts, Plastics and Plastic Film, Surface Coatings and Printing - Lead:
Restrictions for Metal Parts – Nickel:
|
Miscellaneous |
Formaldehyde
Nonyl phenolethoxylates
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
|
Pesticides |
Dimethyl Fumarate
|
Phthalates |
|
Other changes from Release 16 to Release 17:
- Updated the REACH SVHC Candidate List in Appendix I – Reporting
- Removed the Appendix III – Non-regulated substances on the AFIRM RSL Guidance which do not otherwise appear in the AAFA RSL
SGS Global Softlines has an extensive network of over 40 laboratories worldwide, with a strong team of committed professionals from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. Our internationally accredited state-of-the-art testing laboratories offer a comprehensive range of physical, chemical and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. We help your company ensure quality, performance and compliance with international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide. Discover more at www.sgs.com/softlines.
For enquiries, please contact:
Louann Spirito
Director Technical Support, Softlines
t: +1 973 461 7919
Stay on top of regulatory changes within your industry: subscribe to SafeGuardS!
© SGS Group Management SA - 2016 - All rights reserved - SGS is a registered trademark of SGS Group Management SA. This is a publication of SGS, except for 3rd parties’ contents submitted or licensed for use by SGS. SGS neither endorses nor disapproves said 3rd parties contents. This publication is intended to provide technical information and shall not be considered an exhaustive treatment of any subject treated. It is strictly educational and does not replace any legal requirements or applicable regulations. It is not intended to constitute consulting or professional advice. The information contained herein is provided “as is” and SGS does not warrant that it will be error-free or will meet any particular criteria of performance or quality. Do not quote or refer any information herein without SGS’s prior written consent.