Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management Group
Recent meetings
| Date | Commissioner / Cabinet | Topic | File |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Oct 2022 | Elena Montani Cabinet member | REACH restriction proposal on skin sensitisers in textiles and its implications | — |
| 12 Oct 2022 | Elena Montani Cabinet member | REACH restriction proposal on skin sensitisers in textiles and its implications | SRC |
Mission & Goals
AFIRM: To reduce the use and impact of harmful substances in the apparel and footwear supply chain. AFIRM: To provide a forum to advance the global management of restricted substances in apparel and footwear, communicate information about RSL to the supply chain, discuss concerns, and exchange ideas for improving RSL management. AFQA: To advance the management of test methods to improve efficiency and reliability in the measurement of apparel and footwear quality, and to enhance transparency for consumers consistent with evolving regulatory frameworks for product performance. AFQA: AFQA’s purpose is to advance the global management of physical testing parameters for apparel, footwear, and related products, communicate information about physical testing to the supply chain, discuss concerns, and exchange ideas for harmonizing and improving the measurement of product quality, durability, and recyclability.
EU Legislative Interests
REACH Annex 17 Restriction of chemicals in products, including the EU Sensitizer Restriction Proposal, Bisphenol Restriction Proposal, and PFAS Restriction Proposal (among others) REACH Revision Consultation Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and delegated act for textiles Waste Framework Directive Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for Apparel and Footwear
Communication Activities
REACH Annex 17 restriction of chemicals in products: AFIRM has submitted many rounds of comments related to various proposals in the past. AFIRM has also participated in webinars for Commission and Member State representatives and has attended in-person workshops hosted by the Commission. REACH Revision Consultation: We have responded to the consultation and provided a position paper. We have engaged the Commission at Cabinet level as well as REACH Member State Competent Authorities regarding the EU Sensitizer Restriction Proposal. As part of this we submitted a Briefing Memo with Annex containing relevant technical details. In April 2024, AFIRM along with other industry stakeholders hosted an event with EU Commission decison-makers to discuss REACH restriction implications for circular supply chains in the apparel and footwear industry. AFIRM has submitted comments for Commission consideration for the planned ESPR delegated act for textiles. AFQA is engaging JRC as part of the Preparatory study on textiles for product policy instruments
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Member Of
Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management Group (AFIRM) Apparel + Footwear Quality Association (AFQA)
Organisation Members
https://afirm-group.com/members/ https://afirm-group.com/labtac/ https://afqa.org/about/members/ https://afqa.org/about/labtac/