Softlines

On April 1, 2021, China’s new product standard for knitted clothing that feels cool to touch – FZ/T 73067-2020 – came into effect. This standard covers knitted clothing made predominantly from knitted fabrics with a contact transient cool feeling function. It does not apply to clothing made for children aged less than 36 months. ‘Transient […]

The Standardization Administration of China has released a new national standard – GB/T 40270-2021 ‘Textiles-General technical requirements based on consumer experience’. Product standards have traditionally been constructed from the perspective of product processes and technical levels; they give no consideration to the consumer experience. GB/T 40270-2021 introduces an assessment index system based on the subjective

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published an article looking at the issues surrounding resource use and the need for greater sustainability and more durable clothing. It is predicted that by 2050 we will be consuming resources as if we had three planets. This is unsustainable and governments are starting to

SGS presents a complimentary webinar on September 28, 2021, which offers an Introduction to the 4C Model of Chemical Management Performance Benchmarking and Improvement. This event is an introduction to the challenges of understanding chemicals in the textile industries and improving management of supply chains, and how to meet them. A lack of technical knowledge

In May 2021, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) published the 22nd edition of its Restricted Substances List (RSL). The RSL covers regulations and laws operating in major global markets that restrict or ban specific substances in apparel, footwear and home textiles. The latest version covers 12 categories of product and over 250 chemicals.

The US state of Maine bans the sale of carpets, rugs and fabrics with intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Bill LD 1503 became public law – “An Act to Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution” – on July 15, 2021. Provisions include: January 1, 2023 – manufacturers of products containing an intentionally added

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has joined forces with UNIQLO in China to announce the retailer’s first Independently Checked Mark (IC Mark) for infant clothing. The SGS IC Mark is a globally recognized, voluntary product certification scheme that gives manufacturers and retailers greater ability to demonstrate their focus on quality and

China has introduced a new national standard covering the use and control of restricted substances in consumer products. Issued as part of the Standardization Administration of China’s No. 26 announcement in 2020, GB/T 39498-2020 – Guidelines for the use and control of key chemical substances in consumer products – came into effect on June 1,

The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued an updated version of its product standard for slippers – QB/T 4552-2020 – on December 9, 2020. This came into effect on April 1, 2021, thereby replaced the previous iteration – QB/T 4552-2013. QB/T 4552-2020 applies to all forms of daily use slipper, except disposable slippers.