Formaldehyde tests prove that clothes are safe

17th October, 2007

NEWS RELEASE

Extensive formaldehyde tests prove that clothes are safe

The New Zealand Retailers Association has welcomed today’s report from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs confirming that clothes tested within its independent test programme are within acceptable levels of formaldehyde based on the international standard.

John Albertson CEO of the NZ Retailers Association said that the results of the Government’s tests concur with independent research conducted on behalf of the retail industry.

“The Government tested at random items from the major clothes retailers. These items were found to be within the acceptable level for free formaldehyde set by international standards. Both the Ministry and our members have separately carried out an extensive and comprehensive test programme to assure people that the clothes they wear are safe.”

“This test programme was exhaustive. Two items which were stock samples and had not been pre-washed were initially found to be slightly above the acceptable level of 100 parts per million but were within the limit once washed.”

“As an industry we have responded quickly and proactively to the potentially damaging claims made by the Target show on the 21st August. The evidence now speaks for itself. It is as easy, as time intensive and as cost effective to apply the correct test for formaldehyde presence as it was to apply the wrong one and if Target had done that, it would have prevented thousands of people from being alarmed about the safety of the clothes they wear.”

“Target’s show was designed to shock and it achieved its objective at the expense of the facts. The show had a responsibility to make sure it applied the correct scientific test instead of comparing apples and oranges to make a point.”

Mr Albertson added that Association is supportive of an industry standard based on international best practice as this will help prevent such blatant misinterpretation of test protocols.

CONCLUSION
Based on independent tests, clothes and textiles sold in New Zealand do not contain levels of formaldehyde in excess of international safe standards.

Refer Ministry of Consumer Affairs for detail http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=31019

ENDS

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