REACH Annex XVII — Restrictions on manufacture, placing on the market and use
Annex of the REACH Regulation with more than 70 entries of mandatory restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market or use of hazardous substances in the EU market. Automatic application without individual authorisation.
Context
REACH Annex XVII lists more than 70 entries of mandatory restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market or use of hazardous substances in the EU market. It is the direct prohibition regime (not prior authorisation).
Regulatory origin
Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 Annex XVII. Regularly amended via amending regulations. Automatic application without the need for individual authorisation.
Annex XVII entries relevant to textiles
Nickel · release greater than 0.5 micrograms/cm2/week in articles in prolonged contact with the skin.
Azo dyes that release carcinogenic aromatic amines.
NPEO/APEO alkylphenol wetting agents.
Chromium VI in leather greater than 3 mg/kg.
PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Phthalate plasticisers (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP).
DMF in leathers.
CMR 1A/1B in textiles intended for skin contact (introduced by Reg. (EU) 2018/1513).
Timeline
REACH enters into force
Annex XVII operational from the start of the Regulation.
Entry 72 textiles
Reg. (EU) 2018/1513 adds CMR 1A/1B in textiles intended for skin contact.
Amendments
Annex XVII is amended via amending regulations · last update 2025.
Applied case
A textile brand that produces baby clothing verifies compliance with Annex XVII entry 72 on CMR in textiles intended for skin contact.
Requests OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 Class I certification from all fabric suppliers (the strictest class for babies up to 36 months).
Accredited ISO 17025 laboratory testing on 3 representative batches to detect prohibited CMR 1A/1B.
Keeps documentation for 10 years in accordance with Art. 36 REACH for possible inspections.
If it detects non-conformity: notifies the competent authority (AESAN in Spain) within 24 hours + immediate withdrawal of the product.
Common mistakes
Annex XVII is not the same as the Candidate List.
The Candidate List identifies SVHC that are potential candidates for future authorisation. Annex XVII is the list of restrictions IN FORCE and binding — it entails direct prohibition (not just communication). The two coexist within REACH but are distinct mechanisms: Annex XVII (Title VIII) is restriction; Candidate List + Annex XIV (Title VII) is authorisation.
Not all restrictions apply to the textile sector.
Annex XVII has >70 entries but only ~15-20 are relevant to textiles/leather/footwear. Each entry defines a sectoral scope and specific thresholds. Verify entry-by-entry against the product catalogue (leather, synthetic, metal accessories, cotton-polyester blend, etc.).
It is not only for EU manufacturers — it applies to importers.
Any article imported into the EU market must comply with Annex XVII at customs clearance. Brands importing from Asia are responsible for compliance, not just the foreign supplier. The obligation lies with the first one to place it on the EU market.
Limits vary by entry — there is no universal threshold.
Each entry defines its own threshold. For example: nickel 0.5 µg/cm²/week in parts of prolonged contact (entry 27); amine-releasing azo dyes 30 mg/kg (entry 43); cadmium 0.01% w/w (entry 61). There is NO generic "0.1% REACH limit" — that is for the Candidate List Art. 33, not Annex XVII.
Frequently asked questions
What is REACH Annex XVII?
An annex of the REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006, OJEU L 396 (30.12.2006), regularly amended, that lists >70 entries of mandatory restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market or use of hazardous substances in the EU market. In line with Title VIII REACH (Art. 67-73): each entry defines the substance, the restricted uses, the concentration thresholds and the applicable exemption conditions. It is the direct prohibition regime (not prior authorisation).
Which Annex XVII entries apply to textiles and leather?
The most relevant: entry 27 (nickel release >0.5 micrograms/cm2/week), entry 43 (azo dyes that release carcinogenic aromatic amines), entries 46/46a (NPEO/APEO alkylphenol wetting agents), entry 47 (chromium VI in leather >3 mg/kg), entry 50 (PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), entry 51 (phthalate plasticisers), entry 65 (DMF in leathers), entry 72 (CMR 1A/1B in textiles introduced by Reg. (EU) 2018/1513). Applicable immediately without generic exemptions.
Who is responsible for compliance with Annex XVII?
The first one to place it on the EU market — EU manufacturer or importer — under Art. 67 REACH. A textile brand importing from Asia is responsible for compliance even if manufacturing occurs in a third country. It must (i) verify via supplier certificates, (ii) carry out accredited ISO 17025 laboratory tests on representative samples, (iii) keep documentation for 10 years, (iv) notify the competent authority if it detects non-conformity.
What is the difference between Annex XVII and Annex XIV REACH?
Annex XVII (RESTRICTIONS · Title VIII REACH Art. 67-73) directly prohibits specific uses without the need for prior authorisation. Annex XIV (AUTHORISATION · Title VII REACH Art. 56-64) prohibits uses by default except after an individual application to the Commission with a technical dossier of >EUR 150,000 (chemical safety report + socio-economic analysis + analysis of alternatives). Annex XVII = automatic prohibition; Annex XIV = prohibition with the option of an individual application.
What penalty is there if a company breaches Annex XVII?
Penalties are defined by each Member State under Art. 126 REACH. In Spain (Law 8/2010 on the REACH penalty regime): serious infringements carry fines of up to EUR 1,200,000 + withdrawal of the product from the market + possible criminal action for infringements against human health or the environment under Criminal Code Art. 325 (environmental offence). Random and risk-targeted inspections coordinated by ECHA REACH-EN-FORCE.
Fuentes oficiales
- European Parliament and Council · OJEU L 39630 dic 2006 + actualizacionesStandard in force
- European Chemicals Agency2026Updated official list
- European Chemicals Agencyjun 2017Official technical guidance
