Carbon disulphide, worker safety and deforestation rules
What this tab covers How it is regulated and what could disrupt supply: hazard classification, rules in the EU, US and India, anti-dumping duties and other trade measures, and supply-risk notes.
Hazards
Classification
UN number
Key risks
fibre not classified; CS2 is highly flammable and a reproductive and organ toxicant (indicative)
fibre not regulated; CS2 UN1131
Worker exposure to CS2 and H2S, and air and water pollution near poorly controlled plants.
Main rules
Where
Rule
Effect
EU
EU Deforestation Regulation covering wood products including pulp (application delayed; indicative)
Requires due diligence that pulp is deforestation-free; finished textiles are not covered (indicative)
EU
Best Available Techniques for polymers (viscose sulphur emission ranges) and EU Ecolabel
Sets the benchmark for CS2 and sulphur recovery (indicative)
Industry
ZDHC MMCF guidelines and Canopy CanopyStyle commitments by brands
Brands audit wastewater, air emissions and forest sourcing (indicative)
India
Rule
Effect
BIS quality-control order on viscose staple fibre, revoked 18 November 2025
Restores access to imported VSF for spinners and MSMEs (News On AIR)
CPCB and state pollution board norms for man-made fibre plants (indicative)
Limits on effluent zinc and sulphur emissions
PLI scheme for MMF apparel and technical textiles (indicative)
Supports downstream demand for MMF fabrics
Trade measures
India's VSF QCO revoked (November 2025)
US tariffs of 50% on Indian goods weigh on textile exporters (CRISIL, 2025)
Supply risk
Production is concentrated in China. India relies on one main producer and on imported dissolving pulp, so pulp prices and EU deforestation rules feed straight into cost. Not on critical lists.