Hazardous chemicals found in clothing (2)

"The results reveal how much toxic chemicals these brands are dumping in China and other developing nations where products are made and regulations are loose. As the world's biggest fashion retailers, the likes of Zara have no choice but to change their practices, not only for consumers but also for the communities affected by irresponsible suppliers," Li Yifang, Toxics Campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia, told reporters on Tuesday.

Li added that during visits to over 100 textile factories in China, Greenpeace investigators witnessed striking scenes of pollution and pollution-caused health problems among people in neighboring areas.

The China branch of Inditex Group, which owns Zara, Tuesday told the Global Times in an email that it "cannot answer questions about specific garments as it has not been informed previously about any specific analysis," but stressed its commitment to the environment.

Meanwhile, a staff member with VANCL's communication department said under the condition of anonymity that its nearly 200 suppliers in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta all meet national pollution discharge standards.

According to the report, NPEs were found from all four samples of VANCL products.

NPEs are banned for textile production in Europe, but in China, their manufacture, use and release are not regulated.