Softlines

China’s new mandatory standard for clothing that provides protection from heat – GB 38453-2019 – came into effect on July 1, 2020. Issued by the Standardization Administration of China and included in China’s No.17 announcement on newly approved standards in 2019, GB 38453-2019 applies to protective clothing that is designed to reduce the potential for […]

China updates its mandatory standard for flame retardant protective clothing – GB 8965.1-2020. The standard covers flame retardant protective clothing designed to protect the wearer from flame, sparking, and in flashover dangerous places with flammable substances. The main technical changes include: Revision and addition of normative references, some terms and definitions, requirements for stitch distance,

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has concluded an exemption from flammability testing for spandex-containing products was not justified. The decision was published on September 30, 2020, in “Briefing Package – Status Update: 16 CFR Part 1610 Rule Update and Final Action for Exempting Spandex from Testing.” The CPSC had issued a Request for

On November 5, 2020, an updated Rules and Regulations under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act comes into effect, incorporating the latest version of the relevant ISO standard, ISO 2076:2013(E) Textiles – Man-made fibers – generic names. Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (16 CFR 303) certain textile products offered for sale in the

Canada’s Competition Bureau is proposing changes to the Textile Labeling and Advertising Regulations (TLAR) that would simplify the labelling of upholstered and stuffed articles. The Textile Labelling Act (TLA) and TLAR specify the mandatory labelling requirements for all consumer textile products offered onto the market in Canada. The aim is to allow consumers to make

On July 22, 2020, the French Government updated its Cross Ministries Note relating to ‘community masks’ to include specific requirements for face masks with a clear window. According to the update, masks with a clear window must conform to the following criteria: Impermeable material must not exceed 50% of the mask surface Impermeable material must

SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, will host a complimentary webinar on October 15, 2020, to help those working in the leather and footwear industry understand and tackle mold. A significant issue for the leather and footwear industry, mold can grow on almost any substance, but leather is an ideal food