The European Union has banned CMR substances from clothing, accessories, footwear and other textiles such as furniture upholstery and bed linens.
These CMR substances like lead, cadmium, arsenic, hexavalent chromium and formaldehyde are often found in a variety of dyes, flame retardants, and stain- and water-proofing agents.

The restrictions apply to textile products sold in the EU that may come into contact with human skin (or be inhaled or ingested) and aim to reduce exposures to substances identified as carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins (so-called CMR substances).

The regulation specifies acceptable levels for the substances, ranging from as low as 1 mg/kg to 3,000 mg/kg. Amounts above these levels, whether present intentionally or as an impurity, would be prohibited.

The restrictions do not apply to products made exclusively of natural leather, fur or hide; non-textile fasteners and non-textile decorative attachments; second-hand clothing or other products; carpets, rugs, and other textile floor coverings; or medical devices or personal protective equipment as well as disposable, single or limited use textiles.

While a two year phase-in is provided to allow for manufacturers to conform to the new restrictions, a number of companies reportedly already have reformulated away from the listed substances and adopted less hazardous alternatives or are on track to do so.