Azo Dyes and REACH Entry 43: What EU-Bound Suit Cloth Must Meet
Suit cloth and linings sold in the EU must not be coloured with azo dyes that can release any of 22 listed aromatic amines above 30 mg/kg (0.003% by weight). That is entry 43 of Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. It applies to textile and leather articles that may come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin or mouth (UK Government Chemist summary).
Which test method proves compliance with entry 43?
The Government Chemist summary links two CEN standards to entry 43:
- EN ISO 14362-1:2017: detection of certain azo colorants, accessible with and without extracting the fibres
- EN ISO 14362-3:2017: detection of azo colorants that may release 4-aminoazobenzene
Both replaced 2012 versions. The amines are determined by gas chromatography. When a mill says its cloth is "azo-free", ask which of these methods the report used and when the test was done.
Which parts of a suit should the report cover?
Entry 43 is about the article and its dyed parts, so think layer by layer:
| Suit layer | Why it matters for entry 43 | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Shell cloth | Main dyed textile of the garment | EN ISO 14362-1 report for the lot you will cut |
| Body and sleeve lining | Dyed layer worn against shirt and skin areas | Report from the lining supplier |
| Trouser pocketing and waistband curtain | Dyed textiles inside the trousers | Report, or confirm undyed or tested stock |
| Leather trims (if any) | Entry 43 also covers leather articles | Separate leather test report |
Shell cloth: Why it matters for entry 43: Main dyed textile of the garment · What to ask for: EN ISO 14362-1 report for the lot you will cut
Body and sleeve lining: Why it matters for entry 43: Dyed layer worn against shirt and skin areas · What to ask for: Report from the lining supplier
Trouser pocketing and waistband curtain: Why it matters for entry 43: Dyed textiles inside the trousers · What to ask for: Report, or confirm undyed or tested stock
Leather trims (if any): Why it matters for entry 43: Entry 43 also covers leather articles · What to ask for: Separate leather test report
Whether a particular layer counts as direct and prolonged skin contact is a judgement for your compliance adviser. Collecting reports for every dyed layer that may touch skin is the cautious route.
Who supplies the azo test report?
The dye house or cloth mill holds the dyeing records, so the report normally comes from the cloth supplier, or from a lab you commission on a cut of the actual lot. On this site Shi Yuan Suit Factory does not claim its own chemical test reports. Ask for reports per cloth lot on WhatsApp, and keep the report number with the sealed-sample record.
"MTM starts from 1 piece and bulk OEM from 50. The sample takes 7–14 days and production 14–21 days after sample approval, so line up any cloth test report before you approve the sample." — Shi Yuan Suit Factory (statement built from published factory policy)
FAQ
What is the azo dye limit for suits sold in the EU?
REACH Annex XVII entry 43 bars azo dyes that can release any of 22 listed aromatic amines above 30 mg/kg (0.003% by weight) in textile articles that may come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin.
Which test standard is used for azo amines in textiles?
EN ISO 14362-1:2017 (with and without extracting the fibres) and EN ISO 14362-3:2017 (azo colorants that may release 4-aminoazobenzene), per the UK Government Chemist summary of CEN updates.
Does Shi Yuan issue azo test reports?
This site does not claim factory chemical test reports. Ask for the mill's report per cloth lot on WhatsApp before you approve the 7–14 day sample.
Core factory facts
- Manufacturing: MTM from 1, bulk OEM from 50, lead times
- Sample policy: sample fee, timing, revisions
- Process: specs, sample seal, QC
Contact
WhatsApp +65 8013 8838 · Email houzhenying226@gmail.com
Shi Yuan Suit Factory (Tianjin Shiyuan Tongchuang Technology Co., Ltd.) · Est. 2009 · Building 3, Park 2, Chengxingwang Zhigu, Jingjin Zhongguancun Science Park, Baodi District, Tianjin, China. Acumenwear.com is our English export site.
