#Sustainability

2025-07-03

bluesign releases 2025 revisions of its Chemical Reference Lists

Effective July 1, 2025, bluesign has published updated versions of its three core chemical reference lists: the bluesign® SYSTEM SUBSTANCES LIST (BSSL v16.0), the bluesign® SYSTEM BLACK LIMITS (BSBL v7.0), and the bluesign® RESTRICTED SUBSTANCES LIST (RSL v16.0). These updates reflect bluesign’s ongoing commitment to safe chemical management, environmental protection, and regulatory alignment.

The revisions integrate the latest toxicological and ecological findings, updated global classifications, and state-of-the-art analytical methods. Key changes include:

+ Addition of new SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern)

+ Inclusion of substances newly classified under the EU CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 and California Proposition 65

+ Alignment with global RSL standards (AFIRM, AAFA)

+ Expanded BSBL thresholds for heavy metals to support ZDHC MRSL compliance

+ Introduction of enhanced testing protocols, especially for PFAS and organotin compounds

Updates to existing substance groups including nonylphenol ethoxylates, brominated diphenyl ethers, polybrominated biphenyls, and polychlorinated naphthalenes

The BSSL defines consumer safety limits for chemical substances in textile and leather articles. The BSBL sets hazard-based thresholds for finished chemical formulations, while the RSL provides a practical, test-oriented extract of the BSSL focused on the most critical regulated substances.

What are the bluesign Chemical Lists?

+ BSSL sets consumer safety limits for chemical substances in textile and leather articles.

+ BSBL defines hazard-based threshold limits for substances in finished chemical products (e.g., dyes, auxiliaries).

+ RSL is a practical extract of the BSSL, containing consumer safety limits and recommended testing methods for the most important and legally restricted substances in textile and leather articles as well as accessories

All updated lists are available for download at www.bluesign.com.

https://www.bluesign.com/en/downloads/

Storm Creek achieves bluesign® PRODUCT status

Storm Creek (ASI#/PPAI#) is proud to announce a meaningful sustainability milestone: the company has achieved bluesign® PRODUCT status: becoming the first US-based supplier in the promotional products industry to earn this globally respected certification. While this marks an industry first, for Storm Creek, it represents something far more important: a continuation of doing what they believe is right.

Textile Exchange reports growth in certifications and industry engagement

Textile Exchange has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting continued growth in certified sites, industry participation and the development of its standards and membership structure. According to the report, more than 100,000 sites worldwide are now certified to Textile Exchange standards, more than three times the number recorded in 2020. Preliminary figures also indicate 12% year-on-year growth across the organization's current standards, including the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and the Responsible Animal Fiber standards.

Updated supply chain taxonomy advances apparel alignment

The apparel alliance (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation) today announced the launch of Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy, an updated harmonized framework designed to improve consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) sectors of the broader apparel industry.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.