Softlines

Consumer’s behaviors in purchasing and in using products have changed in pursuit of a sustainable lifestyle. For sustainable fashion to success as a business model, products must meet or exceed both market regulations and consumer expectations. To demonstrate this, products must be verified to demonstrate their quality, durability and versatility. Jean-Paul Gaultier’s announcement of his […]

On July 1, 2020, China’s new mandatory national standard for non-powered air purifying respirators – GB 2626-2019 – will come into effect. Issued by the Standardization Administration of China, GB 2626-2019 Respiratory protection – Non-powered air-purifying particle respirator, applies to respirators that provide protection against particles. It does not apply to respirators that protect against

China has released a new recommended national standard for donated textiles – GB/T 38418-2019 (General Technical Requirements for Donated Textiles). The new standard applies to textiles, both new and used, meaning textiles that can be reused after they have been professionally disinfected, that are donated through non-profit organizations and/or other relevant organizations. It does not

A new Technical Regulation covering minimum labeling requirements for footwear, leather goods, travel and similar items, has been approved for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, collectively known as the Andean Community. Andean Technical Regulation No. 2017 was passed in November 2019. It sets out the minimum labeling information that must be included on footwear, leather

New Technical Regulation concerning minimum labeling requirements for apparel approved for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Collectively known as the Andean Community, these four countries have introduced an Andean Technical Regulation that was originally proposed in April 2019. Now approved as Andean Technical Regulations for the Labelling of Apparel – Resolution No. 2019 – it

On November 1, 2019, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the implementation of two new Industry Standards for knitted garments. The two standards cover: Knitted maternity garments – FZ/T 73063-2019 Knitted beachwear – FZ/T 73062-2019 Both standards apply to products that are primarily made from knitted fabrics. For knitted maternity wear it

Following incidents in which workers have been put at risk with symptoms consistent with exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the manufacture and distribution of shoes, stakeholders are being urged to take a holistic approach to reducing VOCs and safeguarding employees. Two recent incidents in Vietnam have highlighted the dangers associated with the release

China releases new national product standard for silk quilts – GB/T 24252-2019. The updated standard was released but the National Technical Committee of Garments, part of the Standardization Administration of China, as part of China’s 2019 No. 13 announcement of newly approved national standards. It applies to quilt products made from silk waddings. This means

China has introduced a new, updated version of its industry standard for knitted leggings – FZ/T 73029-2019. Issued by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, FZ/T 73029-2019 applies to elastic, seamless knitted leggings and elastic knitted leggings with side seams. This includes ankle-length leggings, capri-pants and shorts knitted leggings. The standard does not