Advice for manufacturers and suppliers: formaldehyde in clothing and textiles
The limits of formaldehyde in clothing and textiles considered acceptable by the government.
Formaldehyde is commonly used in clothing and textiles to improve durability, reduce wrinkles, and resist mildew. While not regulated under the Fair Trading Act, we have issued guidelines to help manufacturers and suppliers manage risks and ensure help them to meet their Consumer Guarantees Act responsibilities in providing products are safe for consumers.
Why formaldehyde safety matters
Formaldehyde can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and respiratory issues, especially in sensitive individuals. Young children and people with pre-existing conditions are particularly vulnerable to exposure.
Recommendations for manufacturers and suppliers
Voluntary compliance and monitoring
Although formaldehyde levels in clothing are not currently regulated under the Fair Trading Act, businesses are encouraged to follow these guidelines voluntarily. Regular monitoring and transparent labelling help build consumer trust and reduce health risks.
Fair Trading Act 1986 — New Zealand Legislation Te Tari Tohutohu Pāramata(external link)
Acceptable formaldehyde limits in clothing and textiles
| Type of clothing/textile | Formaldehyde limits |
|---|---|
| Clothes for babies and infants under 2 years of age | No greater than 30ppm (30mg/kg) |
| Clothing specifically designed and marketed as for people (both children and adults) with sensitive skin or to avoid any sensitive reaction with skin | No greater than 30ppm (30mg/kg) |
| Clothing and textiles in direct contact with skin |
|
| Clothing and textiles not in direct contact with skin | No greater than 300ppm (300mg/kg) |
Direct contact with skin
A product is in direct contact with skin if a large proportion of its surface comes into direct skin contact when used as intended — for example, shirts, underwear or bed linen.
If no part or only a small part of a product's surface comes into direct contact with skin, it's considered to be not in direct contact with skin — for example, jackets, curtains or rugs.
Acceptable testing method
The acceptable testing method is EN ISO 14184-1:2011 Textiles – Determination of Formaldehyde – Part 1: Free and Hydrolyzed Formaldehyde (Water Extraction Method), which is the internationally recognised standard for testing of formaldehyde in clothing.
ISO 14184-1:2011 — International Organization for Standardization(external link)
Background on formaldehyde
Formaldehyde resin products used in the textile industry include printing inks, dyes and textile finishing products. The concentrations of free formaldehyde in these products are generally less than 2%. These formaldehyde-based materials help bind dyes and pigments to fabrics, prevent colours from running, improve a fabric's resistance to wrinkles, ease clothing care and maintenance and prevent mildew.
The Australian National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme has identified that the critical health effects of formaldehyde exposure are:
- sensory irritation via inhalation exposure to formaldehyde gas (vapour), aerosol or mist
- skin sensitisation following dermal exposure to formaldehyde solutions, and
- carcinogenicity via inhalation exposure to formaldehyde gas (vapour) or mist.
Formaldehyde is classified as a hazardous substance under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. It has several hazardous properties, including skin and eye irritation, skin sensitisation and carcinogenicity.
Scientific studies of acceptable levels of formaldehyde in clothing and other textiles
The adverse health effects from formaldehydes in textiles are likely to be skin irritations related to "free or easily hydrolysable (reacts with water) formaldehyde". However, the threshold level of formaldehyde on garments that will produce dermatitis is not known. Neither is the reaction threshold for already sensitised subjects.
From the few studies in recognised scientific journals, the suggestion is that only 1-4% of people are sensitive to formaldehyde concentrations of 1-2% and higher (10,000ppm-20,000ppm). For sensitised people, studies show decreasing reactions with decreasing formaldehyde concentrations, but even 30ppm may elicit a reaction in some already sensitised subjects.
The Australian National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme review notes that the European Union (EU) Expert Group on sensitisation categorised formaldehyde as a strong skin sensitiser. The review indicates that formaldehyde solutions can induce skin sensitisation at very low concentrations and may elicit a dermatological reaction in individuals who have been sensitised. The skin sensitisation noted occurs from exposure to formaldehyde solution rather than to gaseous formaldehyde.