Textile Fibre Composition Disclosure — EU ESPR Requirements for SA Exporters
EU ESPR requires all textile DPPs to declare fibre composition by weight percentage, including recycled content, using ISO 1833 test methods.
Fibre composition disclosure is one of the core data requirements for textile Digital Product Passports under the EU ESPR Textile Delegated Act. South African textile exporters — particularly mohair, wool, and apparel manufacturers — must declare the complete fibre composition of their products by weight percentage, including recycled content, in their DPP passports.
Required Fibre Composition Data Fields
The EU ESPR Textile Delegated Act requires the following fibre composition data in every textile DPP:
- All fibre types present in the product (by INCI name or ISO 2076 designation)
- Weight percentage of each fibre type (to one decimal place)
- Country of origin of each fibre
- Recycled content percentage for synthetic fibres
- Test method used (ISO 1833 or equivalent)
- Accredited laboratory name and certificate number
ISO 1833 Testing Requirements
ISO 1833 is a series of 29 standards covering quantitative chemical analysis of different fibre combinations. The relevant standard depends on the fibre mixture:
- ISO 1833-1: General principles of testing
- ISO 1833-4: Polyester/wool mixtures
- ISO 1833-11: Cellulose/polyester mixtures
- ISO 1833-14: Acetate/polyester mixtures
South African textile exporters must use a SANAS-accredited laboratory for ISO 1833 testing. SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) accreditation ensures that the test results are recognised by EU authorities.
South African Mohair: Special Considerations
South Africa produces approximately 50% of the world's mohair from Angora goats in the Eastern Cape. Mohair DPPs have specific requirements:
- Fibre composition: 100% mohair (Angora goat hair)
- Country of origin: South Africa
- Farm of origin: GPS coordinates of the Angora goat farm
- Animal welfare certification: Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) or equivalent
- Micron count: Average fibre diameter (μm) — determines quality grade
The National DPP Registry's Textiles Pillar page provides a complete guide to mohair DPP requirements, including the Sustainable Mohair Traceability spoke page.
Common Questions
This article is published by the National DPP Registry — South Africa's sovereign forensic trust infrastructure for EU export compliance. Mint your Digital Product Passport before the July 19, 2026 EU DPP Registry launch.
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