Disposable textiles for use in health care
Disposable textiles are used frequently in healthcare and are often to be preferred over textiles, meant to be used multiple times, when for example the textiles need to be cut. In an environmental perspective it is important to look at the entire lifecycle and to set procurement requirements to lower the total environmental impact.
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| Quality assurance procedures | Core | Qualification requirement | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information To fulfil the requirements in the contract, the supplier shall have documented routines for quality assurance. Criterion text The supplier of the products delivered according to the contract shall have routines for systematic quality work. The routines shall be documented, at least include the activities covered by the contract and shall be applied during the contract period. The systematic quality work shall include at least the following points:
Upon request, the supplier shall be able to prove that the requirement has been met. If the supplier applies its own documented system, [The contracting organization] may request that the information is verified by an independent third party. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content of Substances of Very High Concern (Candidate List) | Core | Special contract terms | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information This contract term minimizes content of the environmentally and health-hazardous chemicals listed on the candidate list in the EU chemicals legislation Reach. Criterion text Disposable textiles delivered under the contract shall not contain substances included on the current candidate list (Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)) in levels above 0.1 weight percent (1000 mg/kg) per substance. 0.1 weight percent refers to each individual part of a product1.
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| Colouring agents and pigments | Core | Technical specification | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information The purpose of the requirement is to limit environmentally and health-hazardous dyes and pigments in textiles. Criterion text The dyes and pigments listed in the table below shall not be present in coloured disposable textiles in levels higher than 50 mg/kg textile for each individual substance.
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| Alkylphenol ethoxylates | Core | Technical specification | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information Alkylphenol ethoxylates are hazardous to the health and the environment. With this requirement alkylphenol ethoxylates are avoided in disposable textiles. Criterion text Alkylphenol ethoxylates shall not be present in the disposable textiles in levels exceeding 100 mg/kg (0,01 weight percent). Exeption | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Formaldehyde | Core | Technical specification | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information Formaldehyde has health-hazardous properties such as toxic, sensitizing, can cause genetic defects and can cause cancer. The requirement limits the content of formaldehyde emitted from textiles. Criterion text The content of free and (partly) hydrolysed1 formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) shall not exceed 75 ppm (75 mg/kg) in the disposable textiles. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Limitation of biocides biocidal products (antimicrobial function) | Core | Technical specification | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information Disposable textiles treated with biocidal products to obtain a antimicrobial function may contain substances that are environmentally and health hazardous. With this requirement biocidal treated articles are avoided. Criterion text Disposable textiles shall not be treated with biocidal products1,2. Exception
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| Water-repellent and waterproof function in textiles where such a function is required | Core | Technical specification | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information Textiles with water-repellent or waterproof function shall not be treated with environmentally and health-hazardous compounds on the candidate list but can be treated with other compounds to achieve their function. Criterion text In disposable textiles treated with substances to obtain a water-repellent or waterproof function perfluorinated substances or cyclic siloxanes on the current candidate list (Article 59 of Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)) shall not be included in levels above 100 mg/kg textile (0,01 weight percent). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Climate impact of the product | Core | Award criteria | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information The purpose of this requirement is to reward the suppliers who can obtain information about the climate impact of the products from a life-cycle perspective. Criterion text To be awarded [points/price deductions] in the tender evaluation the supplier shall be able to show the life-cycle climate impact for one or several disposable textiles, under the contract.
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| Biobased plastic materials | Advanced | Award criteria | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information Disposable textiles made from biobased plastics can contribute to more climate efficient textiles. Criterion text To be awarded [points/price deductions] in the tender evaluation the supplier shall in the tender show that one or more disposable textiles, under the contract, contains at least 30 weight percent of biobased plastic.
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| Requirements under the ILO core conventions | Core | Special contract terms | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information The contract terms on the basic level aim to ensure that the supplier has effective risk management regarding workers' rights under the ILO core conventions in its own operation as well as in the supply chain regarding subcontractors who are directly involved in the performance of the contract. Criterion text 1. The supplier's obligation Throughout the entire contract period, the supplier shall apply the contract terms under item 1-4. The contract shall be fulfilled in accordance with the following terms regarding workers’ rights:
The terms regarding workers’ rights are called “the Terms” hereafter. In the event of the core conventions of the ILO are in conflict with national law, the supplier shall take reasonable measures to ensure compliancy with the international regulations. The obligations concerns workers when they perform work within the frame of the contract. The supplier shall, according to item 2, ensure that the Terms are fulfilled by hired subcontractors that directly contribute to the performance of the contract, regardless of the number of intermediaries. In addition, the supplier shall ensure that these subcontractors participate in the follow-up, The obligations concerns work carried out under such conditions where Swedish labour law is not applicable. 2. Policies and routines To fulfil the obligations under item 1, the supplier shall take measures to prevent and manage any deviations from the Terms according to item 2.1-2.6 below. The measures shall be documented and applied throughout the entire contract period in their own operation and the operation of any subcontractors who directly contribute to the performance of the contract, regardless of the number of intermediaries. At the start of the contract the supplier shall have: 2.1 adopted a commonly accessible policy, adopted by the highest management including a commitment to respect the Terms, 2.2. adopted routines to convey their commitment to respect the Terms in their own operation and in the supply chain, 2.3 appointed a manager at the highest management level, responsible for compliance with the Terms, 2.4 adopted routines to regularly carry out risk analyses, i.e. to identify and prioritise current and potential risks of deviation from the Terms, as well as mapping the supply chain with special regard to high risk operations, 2.5 adopted routines for regular follow-up of the Terms compliance, and 2.6 adopted routines to immediate action to prevent and limit deviations from the Terms, and to make amendments to identified deviations. The measures shall be taken in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, or the equivalent. 3. Follow-up [The contracting authority] has the right to follow-up that the supplier fulfils its obligations. The follow-up may be carried out in different steps; self-assessment and audit. 3.1 Self-assessment 3.2 Audit 4. Management of deficiencies If the supplier does not participate in follow-up or if there are deficiencies in the documentation to be provided under item 3, a correction shall be made within the time determined by [the contracting authority]. In case of deficiencies in compliance to the Terms, the supplier shall amend this according to a schedule and action plan, developed by the supplier, and to be approved by [the contracting authority]. The schedule and action plan are to be developed within the time period decided by [the contracting authority] and must be proportionate to the nature of the deficiencies and clearly describe how these are to be remedied within the established schedule. [The contracting authority] has the right to terminate the contract with immediate effect if the supplier do not make amendments within the established period or do not remedy deficiencies within the established [The contracting authority] has the right to terminate the contract with immediate effect in the case of severe deviations from the Terms. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sustainable supply chains | Advanced | Special contract terms | Disposable textiles for use in health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Criterion information The terms regarding sustainable supply chains aim to ensure that the supplier has efficient risk management in their own operation and in the supply chain, covering the areas human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and anti-corruption. Criterion text 1. The supplier’s obligation Throughout the entire contract period, the supplier shall apply the contract terms under item 1-4. The contract shall be fulfilled in accordance with the following terms regarding human rights, workers’ rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption (sustainable supply chains):
The terms regarding sustainable supply chains are called “the Terms” hereafter. When international regulations prescribe a stronger protection for the individual than the national legislation, the supplier shall take reasonable measures to ensure compliancy with the international regulations. The obligations concerns all operations connected to the performance of the contract. The supplier shall, according to item 2, ensure that the Terms are fulfilled by hired subcontractors in all parts of the supply chain. In addition, the supplier shall ensure that these subcontractors participate in the follow-up, according to item 3. 2. Policies and routines To fulfil the obligations under item 1, the supplier shall take measures to prevent and manage any deviations from the Terms according to item 2.1-2.6 below. The measures shall be documented and applied concurrently throughout the entire contract period in their own operation as well as in the operation of any subcontractors in all parts of the supply chain. At the start of the contract the supplier shall have: 2.1 adopted a commonly accessible policy, adopted by the highest management including a commitment to respect the Terms, 2.2. adopted routines to convey their commitment to respect the Terms in their own operation and in the supply chain, 2.3 appointed a manager at the highest management level, responsible for compliance with the Terms, 2.4 adopted routines to regularly carry out risk analyses, i.e. to identify and prioritise current and potential risks of deviation from the Terms, as well as mapping the supply chain with special regard to high risk operations, 2.5 adopted routines for regular follow-up of the Terms compliance, and 2.6 adopted routines to immediate action to prevent and limit deviations from the Terms, and to make amendments to identified deviations. The measures shall be taken in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, or the equivalent. 3. Follow-up [The contracting authority] has the right to follow-up that the supplier fulfils its obligations. The follow-up may be carried out in different steps; self-assessment and audit. 3.1 Self-assessment 3.2 Audit 4. Management of deficiencies If the supplier does not participate in follow-up or if there are deficiencies in the documentation to be provided under item 3, a correction shall be made within the time determined by [the contracting authority]. In case of deficiencies in compliance to the Terms, the supplier shall amend this according to a schedule and action plan, developed by the supplier, and to be approved by [the contracting authority]. The schedule and action plan are to be developed within the time period decided by [the contracting authority] and must be proportionate to the nature of the deficiencies and clearly describe how these are to be remedied within the established schedule. [The contracting authority] has the right to terminate the contract with immediate effect if the supplier do not make amendments within the established period or do not remedy deficiencies within the established [The contracting authority] has the right to terminate the contract with immediate effect in the case of severe deviations from the Terms. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Disposable textiles, such as medical face masks and surgical textiles, impact the environment throughout the whole lifecycle. First during the production of fibers, the production and treatment of both materials and final products and finally during transport before the textiles end up as waste. The largest impact comes from production, where large amounts of raw materials, energy, water and chemicals are used. The environmental impact depends on the choice of fibers and production methods.
The sustainability criteria are focused on the usage of chemicals which can have an impact on work environment and during production, as well as be part of the final product. The criteria consist of requirements on biobased plastics and a calculation of climate impact. There are no requirements on flame retardants since the disposable textiles supplied has not been treated with flame retardants. The public sector does not request disposable textiles treated with flame retardants when purchasing them. If there would be a need of flame retardants this may be solved by the choice of material, where disposable textiles that melt instead of sparking a fire can be chosen. In this way flame retardants may be avoided.
Working conditions have in some cases not been fulfilled the core terns set by ILO in its core conventions. The sustainability criteria for disposable textiles includes these contract terms.