Dyeing and Chemical Treatment of Textiles

Dyeing and chemical treatment of textiles is a craft trade (field No. 365) covering dyeing, bleaching, finishing, impregnation and other chemical refinement of yarns, fabrics and finished textile products. To obtain it you need a professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.).

Examples of activities

• Dyeing of yarns, fabrics, knitted goods and finished garments
• Bleaching of textile materials (chemical and optical)
• Finishing and final chemical treatment of fabrics (softening, stiffening)
• Impregnation of textiles (waterproof, flame-retardant, antibacterial treatment)
• Water-repellent and oil-repellent treatment of textile products
• Mercerising of cotton yarns and fabrics
• Washing, cleaning and chemical refinement of textiles as part of production
• Crease-resistant and stabilising treatment (sanforising) of fabrics

What this trade is and what it is for

The trade Dyeing and Chemical Treatment of Textiles (field No. 365) is a craft trade under Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). It entitles you to do business in the chemical and colour refinement of textile materials – from yarns and fibres through fabrics and knitted goods to finished products.

The aim of these activities is to give the textile the desired functional properties: colour, sheen, handle, resistance to water, fire or micro-organisms, and where appropriate to clean it and stabilise its dimensions. It is a downstream stage of textile production that provides consumers and customers with high-quality, functional material.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

This trade typically covers:

• dyeing of yarns, fabrics, knitted goods and finished garments,
• bleaching (both chemical and optical),
• finishing and final treatments (softening, stiffening, sanforising),
• impregnation and hydrophobic, flame-retardant or antibacterial treatments,
• mercerising and other chemical refinement of textiles.

Boundaries with neighbouring trades: The actual manufacture of textiles, yarns or garments falls under other trade fields (in particular textile and clothing production). The prevailing nature of the activity is therefore assessed – the subject of this trade is chemical and colour refinement, not the manufacture of the textile material itself. If you are unsure about classification, contact the Trade Licensing Office, which will carry out the correct assessment.

Conditions for obtaining the licence under the law

You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act – namely full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. The Act requires neither medical fitness nor liability insurance for this trade. There must be no ongoing obstacle to operating a trade under Section 8 (in particular ongoing insolvency/bankruptcy or a ban on activity imposed by a court or administrative authority).

You must also prove your professional qualification. Under Section 21 you prove it by one of the following variants:

1. an apprenticeship certificate from secondary education in the relevant field,
2. a school-leaving (maturita) certificate from secondary education in the relevant field (or with vocational preparation subjects in the field),
3. a diploma of higher vocational education in the relevant field,
4. a university diploma in the relevant area of study programmes and fields,
5. a certificate of recognition of professional qualification under Section 7(5)(b), (c), (f) or (h),
6. a certificate of verification or recognition of a full professional qualification (Act No. 179/2006 Coll.).

If you do not have proper education in the field, you can use the alternative routes under Section 22: education in a related field + 1 year of experience, retraining + 1 year of experience, or 6 years of experience in the field without a certificate of education.

You do not have to hold the professional qualification in person – it can be provided through a responsible representative (Section 11), who is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

1. Prepare your documents on professional qualification (see above) and proof of identity.
2. Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF) for notification of the craft trade.
3. Submit the notification at any municipal trade licensing office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT branch.
4. Pay the administrative fee (see below).
5. The office will make the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days of receiving the notification. The trade licence arises on the date of notification (provided the conditions are met).

You will find the detailed procedure in the guide /jak-zalozit-zivnost.

Documents and fees

• Proof of professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving certificate, diploma, retraining, proof of experience, etc.).
• Proof of identity (identity card / passport).
• Where applicable, documents on the responsible representative and their declaration (Section 11).
• Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 on first notification of the trade, CZK 800 for electronic submission via the portal.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a university degree for this trade?

No. An apprenticeship certificate or school-leaving certificate in the relevant field is sufficient. Without education in the field, the trade can be obtained on the basis of education in a related field with one year of experience, retraining with one year of experience, or by proving 6 years of experience in the field (Section 22).

What if I do not meet the professional qualification?

You can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the professional qualification and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may perform this role for no more than four entrepreneurs.

How long does processing take?

The Trade Licensing Office makes the entry in the register within 5 working days of notification. The licence arises as early as the date of notification.

Is a health certificate or insurance required?

No. For this trade, neither medical fitness nor liability insurance is required. A clean criminal record is required (Section 6).

Where do I notify the trade?

At any municipal trade licensing office, electronically at the rzp.gov.cz portal, or through Czech POINT.

Sources

• Ministry of Education – database of regulated activities, field detail
• Trade Licensing Act No. 455/1991 Coll. (Zákony pro lidi)
• Ministry of Industry and Trade