Fashion retailer H&M has supported the proposal of the European Commission to restrict 286 carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances in textiles. But a number of trade bodies have raised objections to the plan. These bodies include Euro Commerce and the Foreign Trade Association among others. They fear that the fast-track process would not allow time for substitutions to be found and could lead to products being withdrawn from the marketplace.

But H&M sustainability business expert Ylva Weissbach has said that the proposals offered clear chemical legislation on textiles that would be beneficial to chemical management. The retailer does not object to the fast-track process so long as it is well-grounded and possible to implement.

H&M also supports recent amendments to the proposals. These aim to see the list of substances restricted in two phases with those that come into contact with skin restricted first. Weissbach said the suggested clarification of the scope to have a stepwise approach and to initially focus on products with skin contact was a reasonable approach.