Softlines

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.

Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection has passed an amendment to its Wildlife Protection Law that makes it the first country in the world to ban the sale of fur for the fashion industry. Signed into law on June 9, 2021, the amendment prohibits the sale and purchase of fur and fur products and is intended

Stakeholders are advised that Japan has designated 2,2,2-trichloro-1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl) ethanol (o,p’-Dicofol) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts as Class I Specified Chemical Substances under the “Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, Etc.” (also known as the “Chemical Substance Control Law” (CSCL). Class I Specified Chemical Substances are those substances

The European Union (EU) has published a new standard for protective clothing designed to give the wearers enhanced visibility in medium risk situations. The new standard – EN 17353:2020 – Protective clothing – Enhanced visibility equipment for medium risk situations – Test methods and requirements – replaces two standards: EN 1150:1999 – Protective clothing –

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a useful overview of the changes that will be brought in by China’s updated product standard for protective footwear – GB 21148-2020. The new standard was published on July 23, 2020, by the State Administration for Market Supervision and Administration and the State Standardization