Recently, the German Cooperation for Assuring Defined Standards for Shoe and Leather Goods Production e.V. (CADS) officially released the 2026 CADS Restricted Substance List (2026 CADS RSL, Version 13). This revision aims to align with the latest EU regulations, providing clear chemical compliance guidance for the footwear and leather goods supply chain and ensuring products meet the increasingly stringent safety and environmental protection requirements of the EU market.
Key Updates
The core revisions of this list focus on two critical areas: total lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
1. Clarification of the Legal Limit for Total Lead in PVC Materials
The 2026 version explicitly sets the legal limit for total lead in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials at 1000 mg/kg.
Regulatory Basis: This update ensures strict consistency with the already effective requirements of Entry 63, Paragraph 15, Annex XVII of the EU REACH Regulation. The clause states: “Shall not be placed on the market or used in articles produced from polymers or copolymers of vinyl chloride (‘PVC’), if the concentration of lead is equal to or greater than 0,1 % (1000 mg/kg) by weight of the PVC material.”
2. Revision of PFAS Limits: Amendment of Limits for PFOS and its Salts, PFOS-related substances
- PFOS and its salts:Both the CADS limit and the legal limit have been revised to 0.025 mg/kg.
- PFOS-related substances:Both the CADS limit and the legal limit have been revised to 1 mg/kg sum.
Regulatory Basis: This change is a direct response to the latest amendment of the EU Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2025/718. This regulation came into force on December 3, 2025. CADS’s immediate adoption ensures the industry standard is seamlessly aligned with the most current regulatory requirements.
About CADS
CADS is an organization established by the German Institute for Footwear and Leather Goods in cooperation with major brands and institutions. The CADS RSL it publishes is a widely recognized chemical compliance standard in the footwear industry. It provides footwear brands, manufacturers, and supply chain companies with the latest chemical substance restrictions and testing requirements that comply with EU regulations, ensuring that footwear products sold in the EU market meet stringent health, safety, and environmental protection regulations.
PFI was founded in Germany in 1956 and possesses extensive experience in the footwear, apparel, leather, personal protective equipment, and consumer goods industries. As a founding partner of CADS, PFI has been deeply involved in and led the development and revision of the CADS RSL, committed to promoting safety and sustainable development within the industry.
For more services regarding compliance with the CADS RSL, please feel free to contact us at any time.
