The five substances which have been put on the list as part of Levi’s two yearly Restricted Substances List (RSL) update include PVC – often found in screen printing systems. The giant jeanswear company is now encouraging suppliers to use water-based (PVC-free) printing systems instead and also intends to phase out the use of phthalate plasticisers. Phthalates give flexibility to PVC prints on t-shirts and other garments. Phthalate use is already prohibited for children products, but Levi’s is now also encouraging its suppliers to use phthalate-free chemicals for adult products.

Other chemicals on the new phase-out list include alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs), which are often found in detergent, soap or chemical mixtures as surfactant and in wetting agents for scouring (see Ecotextile News, April 2008, p. 35). The company will in future prohibit the use of D4 siloxane which may be found in residual traces in certain silicone softeners along with a chemical called Bisphenol-A which is not likely to be used in the production of textiles but may be found in resins.

“Levi Strauss &Co seeks to reduce the impact of our and our suppliers’ business processes on the environment, and the phase-out list is an important step in realizing this commitment,” said Sean Cady, LS&CO. Director of Environment, Health and Safety. “The RSL is a critical element of LS&CO.’s responsible sourcing program,” Cady continued. “It helps us ensure product quality, protect the health and safety of our consumers and further our environmental objectives.”

Levi Strauss updates its RSL every two years to reflect developments in production methods, legal requirements, scientific understanding and the company’s sustainability priorities.

This chemical phase-out list applies to chemicals used in the manufacture of Levi Strauss products and raw materials. While it says suppliers are encouraged to find alternatives to these five substances it acknowledges “certain challenges may prevent an immediate cessation of use,” adding that it will, “continue to support efforts to identify alternatives to these phase-out chemicals with the goal of prohibiting their use at a future time.”