Limit values and banned usage
of individual substances or groups
of substances for textile floor coverings
Consumer safety & environmental protection
Dyestuffs and dyeing auxiliaries (1 of 7)
Tab. 5.2.1: Azo dyes & aromatic amines | ||
Substance a) | CAS-No.: | GUT ban on use |
2-Methyl-5-nitroaniline a) | 99-55-8 | ⃠ |
2-Naphthylamine a) | 91-59-8 | ⃠ |
2,4-Diaminoanisol a) | 615-05-4 | ⃠ |
2,4-Diaminotoluene a) | 95-80-7 | ⃠ |
2,4,5-Trimethylaniline a) | 137-17-7 | ⃠ |
3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine a) | 91-94-1 | ⃠ |
3,3'-Dimethoxybenzidine a) | 119-90-4 | ⃠ |
3,3'-Dimethylbenzidine a) | 119-93-7 | ⃠ |
4-Aminoazobenzene a) | 60-09-3 | ⃠ |
4-Aminobiphenyl a) | 92-67-1 | ⃠ |
4-Chloro-2-methylaniline a) | 95-69-2 | ⃠ |
4-Chloroaniline a) | 106-47-8 | ⃠ |
4,4'-Diaminodiphenylmethane a) | 101-77-9 | ⃠ |
4,4'-Methylene-bis-(2-chloraniline) a) | 101-14-4 | ⃠ |
4,4'-Oxydianiline a) | 101-80-4 | ⃠ |
4,4'-Thiodianiline a) | 139-65-1 | ⃠ |
4,4’-Methylene-bis-(2-methylaniline) a) | 838-88-0 | ⃠ |
Benzidine a) | 92-87-5 | ⃠ |
o-Aminoazotoluene a) | 97-56-3 | ⃠ |
o-Anisidine a) | 90-04-0 | ⃠ |
o-Toluidine a) | 95-53-4 | ⃠ |
p-Cresidine a) | 120-71-8 | ⃠ |
Navy Blue 018112 b) | (EC-No.: 405-665-4) | ⃠ |
Aniline (cleavable) c) | 62-53-3 | ⃠ |
2,4-Xylidine c) | 95-68-1 | ⃠ |
2,6-Xylidine c) | 87-62-7 | ⃠ |
2-Naphthylammonium Acetate c) | 553-00-4 | ⃠ |
2,4-Diaminoanisole Sulfate c) | 39156-41-7 | ⃠ |
2,4,5-Trimethylaniline Hydrochloride c) | 21436-97-5 | ⃠ |
4-Chloro-o-toluidine Hydrochloride c) | 3165-93-3 | ⃠ |
Note: Ban on use does not apply to listed substances only, but is always based on current state of knowledge. a) Aromatic amines according to directive EC/61/2002 & REACH regulation EC/1907/2006 (Annex XVII, Nr. 43, App. 8) b) Restricted azo dye listed in REACH Annex XVII, Nr. 43, App. 9 c) Other arylamines, cleavable arylamines, amine salts |
Heavy metals and plasticisers (2 of 7)
Tab. 5.3: Schwermetalle / Heavy metals | |||
Substanz Substance | Abkürzung Abbreviation | Grenzwert / Limit value nach Aufschluss / after digestion [mg/kg] | Grenzwert / Limit value nach Extraktion / after extraction (in the eluate) [mg/kg] |
Blei / Lead | (Pb) | 50 | 0.2 |
Chrom / Chromium | (Cr) | 50 | 1 |
Chrom VI / Chromium VI | (Cr VI) | - | not identifiable |
Cadmium | (Cd) | 40 | 0.1 |
Quecksilber/ Mercury | (Hg) | 50 | not identifiable |
Summe / Sum | (Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg) | 100 | - |
Antimon / Antimony | (Sb) a) | 150 b) | 30 |
Arsen / Arsenic | (As) | - | 0.2 |
Nickel | (Ni) | - | 1 |
Kupfer / Copper | (Cu) | - | 50 |
Kobalt / Cobalt | (Co) | - | 1 |
Note: - = no value available not identifiable = not allowed to be detected a) see also flame retardants b) 150 mg Sb per 1 kg polyester fiber. Antimony is used a catalysts for polyester synthesis |
Biocides, Pot Preservatives and pesticides (3 of 7)
In European legislation, biocides are defined as chemical substances or microorganisms intended to destroy, deter, render harmless or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by chemical or biological means.
The regulation aims to improve the functioning of the biocidal products market in the EU, while ensuring a high level of protection for humans and the environment.
Within the GUT-system the following principles for the use of biocides apply:
- biocides have to be approved for use in the EU as
- Product Type 6: Preservatives for products during storage
- Product Type 11: Preservatives for liquid-cooling and processing systems
- Product Type 12: Slimicides
- for these approved biocides GUT content and/or elution thresholds for the final carpet apply (see list below)
- the active use or addition of biocides to textile floor coverings as finish or top treatment is prohibited
The exception is in the treatment of wool carpets with permethrin (see Wool Finish 5.10)
Consequently, an active biocidal, biostatic or fungicidal finish is not permissible. If a manufacturer offers textile floor coverings with and without biocidal finish, the GUT licence is only valid for the product without biocidal treatment.
Note:
The use of biocides especially during production and storage of raw materials can not completely be excluded, as the preservation of raw materials or the maintenance of production equipment is necessary to avoid biological contamination of the final product. This may lead to residues in the carpet. It is the aim to reduce the residual content of these preservatives to a level that does not cause harm to the user. Therefore, only biocides approved and listed in the Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) will be accepted in this case.
Biocides that are known or suspected to be carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction are not allowed within the GUT-system, even when approved for use in the EU.
Tab. 5.5.2: GUT- thresholds for biocides and in can-preservatives in carpets | |||
Substanz Substance name | Abkürzung Abbreviation | CAS no. | GUT limit value [mg/kg carpet] |
1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one | BIT | 2634-33-5 | <40 |
1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one | MBIT | 2527-66-4 | <10 |
1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one | MIT | 2682-20-4 | <10 |
1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one | CIT | 26172-55-4 | <5 |
1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one | OPP | 90-43-7 | <10 |
1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one | BNPD | 52-51-7 | <10 |
1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one | DBDCB | 35691-65-7 | <20 |
1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one | IPBC | 55406-53-6 | <20 |
Acrolein | - | 107-02-8 | n.d. |
Chlorocresol | - | 59-50-7 | n.d. |
Glutaral (Glutaraldehyde) | - | 111-30-8 | n.d. |
Hydrogen peroxide | - | 7722-84-1 | n.d. |
Peracetic acid | - | 79-21-0 | n.d. |
N-(trichloromethylthio)phthalimide (Folpet) | - | 133-07-3 | ⃠ |
N,N′-methylenebismorpholine (MBM) | - | 5625-90-1 | ⃠ |
Polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride | - | 27083-27-8 | ⃠ |
Note: Ban on use does not apply to listed substances only, but is always based on current state of knowledge. n.d. = not detectable |
Formaldehyde and finishes for wool protection (4 of 7)
The use of formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals is prohibited within the GUT system.
Tab. 5.9: Formaldehyde & Formaldehyde releasing chemicals | ||
Substanz Substance | CAS-No.: | GUT Verwendungsverbot ban on use |
Formaldehyde | 50-00-0 | ⃠ |
Formaldehyde releasing chemicals | -.- | ⃠ |
Note: Ban on use does not apply to listed substances only, but is always based on current state of knowledge. -.- = more than one CAS-No. / substances group |
Flame retardants and PAH (5 of 7)
Flame retardants can be made of a variety of different organic or inorganic chemicals, and their use is determined by the specific product, its material composition and intended end-use. Typical products which need a flame retardant include electrical and electronic equipment, printed circuit boards, cables, carpet backings, speciality textiles, and insulating materials and foams.
Organic flame retardants are mainly brominated compounds, halogen- containing or halogen-free organophosphorus compounds, or chlorinated paraffins. The main inorganic flame retardants used are aluminium trihydroxide (ATH), magnesium dihydroxide or antimony trioxide (which acts a synergist for brominated flame retardants).
Within the private sector, over 73% of carpets do not require any additional flame retardants to comply with the declared fire protection rating. If they do use a fire retardant for whatever reason, then ATH is used. In the public sector, where higher safety requirements sometimes apply, around 54% of carpets contain additional flame retardants.
The GUT protocol does not allow the following chemicals to be used.
Tab. 5.11: Flame retardants | |||
Substanz Substance | Abkürzung Abbreviation | CAS-No.: | GUT Verwendungsverbot ban on use |
Polybrominated biphenyls | PBBs a) | 59536-65-1 | ⃠ |
Polybrominated biphenyl ethers | PBDEs b) | -.- | ⃠ |
Hexabromocyclododecanes | HBCDDs c) | 25637-99-4 | ⃠ |
Tris-(2,3-dibrompropyl)phosphate | TRIS | 126-72-7 | ⃠ |
Tris-(aziridinyl)-phosphinoxide | TEPA | 545-55-1 | ⃠ |
Chlorinated paraffins | CPs d) | -.- | ⃠ |
Antimony trioxide | Sb2O3 | 1309-64-4 | ⃠ |
Antimony pentoxide | Sb2O5 | 1314-60-9 | ⃠ |
Tris-(2-chloroethyl)phosphate | TCEP | 115-96-8 | ⃠ |
Trixylylphosphate | TXP | 25155-23-1 | ⃠ |
Tris-(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate | TDCPP | 13674-87-8 | ⃠ |
Tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate | TCPP | 13674-84-5 | ⃠ |
Triphenyl phosphate | TPP | 115-86-6 | ⃠ |
Boric acid | - | 10043-35-3 | ⃠ |
Diboron trioxide | - | 1303-86-2 | ⃠ |
Tetraboron disodium heptaoxide, hydrate | - | 12267-73-1 | ⃠ |
Disodium tetraborate, anhydrous | - | 1330-43-4 | ⃠ |
Orthoboric acid, sodium salt | - | 13840-56-7 | ⃠ |
Disodium tetraborate decahydrate | - | 1303-96-4 | ⃠ |
Disodium tetraborate Pentahydrate | - | 12179-04-3 | ⃠ |
Disodium octaborate | - | 12008-41-2 | ⃠ |
2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol | BBMP | 3296-90-0 | ⃠ |
Bis-(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate | BIS | 5412-25-9 | ⃠ |
Tetrabromobisphenol A | TBBPA | 79-94-7 | ⃠ |
Tri-o-cresylphosphat | - | 78-30-8 | ⃠ |
Note: Ban on use does not apply to listed substances only, but is always based on current state of knowledge. -.- = more than one CAS-No. / substances group a) PBBs = e.g. (Monobromodiphenyl (MBB), Dibromodiphenyl (diBB), Tribromodiphenyl (triBB), Tetrabromodiphenyl (tetraBB), Pentabromodiphenyl (pentaBB), Hexabromodiphenyl (hexaBB), Heptabromodiphenyl (heptaBB), Octabromodiphenyl (octaBB), Nonabromodiphenyl (nonaBB), Decabromodiphenyl (decaBB) b) PBDEs = e.g. Monobromodiphenyl ether (MBDE), Dibromodiphenyl ether (diBDE), Tribromodiphenyl ether (triBDE), Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (tetraBDE), Pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE), Hexabromodiphenyl ether (hexaBDE), Heptabromodiphenyl ether (heptaBDE), Octabromodiphenyl ether (octaBDE), Nonabromodiphenyl ether (nonaBDE), Decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) c) HBCDDs = α-Hexabromocyclododecane (α-HBCDD), β-Hexabromocyclododecane (β-HBCDD), γ-Hexabromocyclo-dodecane (γ-HBCDD), Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) d) CCPs = Short chain chlorinated paraffins, C10-13 (SCCPs), Short chain chlorinated paraffins, C12-13 (SCCPs), Medium chain chlorinated paraffins, C14-17 (MCCPs) |
Perfluorinated substances (6 of 7)
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are both industrial chemicals. Until 2006, for example, PFOS was used as the base for the production of dirt, grease, and water-repellent surface treatments of carpets, upholstery and cardboard and paper packaging. It was also used in fire extinguishers.
However, since 2006, the use of PFOS has been severely restricted in the EU, so that it can now only be used in a few specialist applications. Up until 2020, PFOA compounds, which are used to produce non-stick coatings pans and to make some clothing repellent to oil, dirt or water have been widely used.
However, from 2020, PFOA, or any of their salts and precursor compounds cannot be produced or placed on the market. Both substances (PFOS and PFOA) are chemically very stable, dissolve in both water and fat, and are therefore easily distributed in the environment and can equally easily enter the food chain.
Tab. 5.14: (Per-)fluorinated alkylated substances and their salts | |||
Substanzen Substance | Abkürzungeen Abbreviation | CAS-No.: | GUT Verwendungsverbot ban on use |
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid | PFOS | 1763-23-1 | ban on use |
Perfluorooctanesulfonamide | PFOSA | 754-91-6 | ban on use |
Heptadecafluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride | PFOSF/POSF | 307-35-7 | ban on use |
Heptadecafluoro-N-methyloctanesulphonamide | N-Me-FOSA | 31506-32-8 | ban on use |
N-Ethylperfluorooctane-1-sulfonamide | N-Et-FOSA | 4151-50-2 | ban on use |
Heptadecafluoro-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyloctanesulphonamide | N-Me-FOSE | 24448-09-7 | ban on use |
N-Ethyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl perfluorooctansulfulfonamide | N-Et-FOSE | 1691-99-2 | ban on use |
Perfluorooctanoic acid | PFOA | 335-67-1 | ban on use |
Perfluoroheptanoic acid | PFHpA | 375-85-9 | ban on use |
Perfluorononanoic acid | PFNA | 375-95-1 | ban on use |
Perfluorodecanoic acid | PFDA | 335-76-2 | ban on use |
Perfluoroundecanoic acid | PFUdA | 2058-94-8 | ban on use |
Tricosafluorododecanoic acid | PFDoA | 307-55-1 | ban on use |
Perfluorotridecanoic acid | PFTrDA | 72629-94-8 | ban on use |
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid | PFTeDA | 376-06-7 | ban on use |
Heptafluorobutyric acid | PFBA | 375-22-4 | ban on use |
Perfluoropentanoic acid | PFPeA | 2706-90-3 | ban on use |
Undecafluorohexanoic acid | PFHxA | 307-24-4 | ban on use |
Perfluoro-3,7-dimethyloctanoic acid | PF-3,7-DMOA | 172155-07-6 | ban on use |
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid | PFBS | 375-73-5 | ban on use |
Perfluorohexane-1-sulphonic acid | PFHxS | 355-46-4 | ban on use |
Perfluoroheptane-1-sulphonic acid | PFHpS | 375-92-8 | ban on use |
Henicosafluorodecanesulphonic acid | PFDS | 335-77-3 | ban on use |
7H-Dodecafluoroheptanoic acid | 7HPFHpA | 1546-95-8 | ban on use |
1,1,2,2-Perfluorodecanoic acid | 4HPFUnA | 34598-33-9 | ban on use |
1,1,2,2-Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid | 1,1,2,2-PFOS | 27619-97-2 | ban on use |
1,1,2,2-Perfluorohexan-1-ol | 4:2 FTOH | 2043-47-2 | ban on use |
1,1,2,2-Perfluoroctan-1-ol | 6:2 FTOH | 647-42-7 | ban on use |
1,1,2,2-Perfluordecan-1-ol | 8:2 FTOH | 678-39-7 | ban on use |
1,1,2,2-Perfluordodecan-1-ol | 10:2 FTOH | 865-86-1 | ban on use |
1,1,2,2-Perfluorooctyl acrylate | 6:2 FTA | 17527-29-6 | ban on use |
1,1,2,2-Heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate | 8:2 FTA | 27905-45-9 | ban on use |
1,1,2,2-Tetrahydroperfluorododecyl acrylate | 10:2 FTA | 17741-60-5 | ban on use |
Note: Ban on use does not apply to listed substances only, but is always based on current state of knowledge. |
Inorganic fibres, nitrosamines and other substances (7 of 7)
As these fibres break easily, the fragments are easily respirable due to the length/diameter ratio, and the inhaled fibres can cause lung cancer.
The use of asbestos fibres is prohibited in the GUT system
Tab. 5.13: Inorganic fibres (asbestos) | ||
Substance | CAS-No.: | GUT ban on use |
Actinolite | 77536-66-4 | ban on use |
Amosite | 12172-73-5 | ban on use |
Anthrophyllite | 77536-67-5 | ban on use |
Chrysotile | 12001-29-5 | ban on use |
Crocidolite | 12001-28-4 | ban on use |
Tremolite | 77536-68-6 | ban on use |
Note: Ban on use does not apply to listed substances only, but is always based on current state of knowledge. |