scope:

This document describes a method to detect the use of certain azo colorants that may not be used in the manufacture or treatment of certain commodities made of textile fibres and that are accessible to reducing agent with and without extraction.

Azo colorants accessible to reducing agent without extraction are those used to colour with pigments or to dye

- cellulosic fibres (e.g. cotton, viscose),

- protein fibres (e.g. wool, silk), and

- synthetic fibres (e.g. polyamide, acrylic).

Azo colorants accessible with extraction are those used to dye man-made fibres with disperse dyes. The following man-made fibres can be dyed with disperse dyes: polyester, polyamide, acetate, triacetate, acrylic and chlorofibre.

The method is relevant for all coloured textiles, e.g. dyed, printed and coated textiles.