China GB Standards: Entering the Chinese textiles and apparel market

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China is one of the largest consumer markets in the world, and is an attractive prospect for brands and retailers looking to expand their business. Before exporting to China, it is essential to ensure that your products meet China's GB standards (Guo Biao), which are mandatory for customs clearance and selling products to local customers.

The GB standards consist of various technical codes for a wide range of products. In this article, we will look at GB 18410, a national general safety technical code for textile products to give you a better understanding of your responsibilities when importing textile and apparel products into China.

China GB 18401 National Standards for Textile Products

GB 18401 sets out the technical safety requirements, test methods, labelling guidelines and inspection rules for textile and apparel products, most of which are derived from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), to ensure protection of human health, personal property and safety.

If you want to import textiles and apparel products into China, all products, regardless of their origin, must comply with GB 18401 National General Safety Technical Code for Textile Products.

Classes of Textile Products under GB 18401

Before going into further details, let us look at the three classes of textile products classified under GB 18401, as the compliance levels depend on the class of textile.

Class 1: Products for babies (up to 36 months of age) – includes textile products such as cloth diapers, underwear, gloves, socks, bibs, outerwear, caps, and bedding.

Class 2: Skin contact products -- blouses, skirts, shorts, socks, bras, bed sheets, and towels.

Class 3: Non-skin contact products – overcoats, bed covers, curtains, filling material, textile wallpaper, and padding cloth.

Technical Requirements of GB 18401

Products are evaluated against the technical requirements of GB 18401 listed in Table 1 shown below. GB 18401 mainly focuses on testing formaldehyde content, pH value, colourfastness, odor, and aromatic amines dyes.

Table 1

Technical Requirements		Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Formaldehyde (mg/kg)		≤ 20	≤ 75	≤ 300
pH value		4.0-7.5	4.0-8.5	4.0-9.0
Colourfastness (grade)	Water resistance	≥ 3-4	≥ 3	≥ 3
	Acid perspiration	≥ 3-4	≥ 3	≥ 3
	Alkaline perspiration	≥ 3-4	≥ 3	≥ 3
	Dry rubbing resistance	≥ 4	≥ 3	≥ 3
	Saliva resistance	≥ 4	--	--
Peculiar odour		--
Decomposable carcinogenic aromatic amines dyes		Forbidden

Labelling Requirements of GB 18401

Once your products meet the technical requirements of GB 18401, proper labelling is required to sell them in China. Textile products for infants must be labelled in Chinese as 'products for young children'. Other products, in accordance to their component parts, must include the safety code with explanations of which general safety technical specifications (i.e. class 1, 2 or 3) they comply with.

Legal Responsibility of GB 18401

A solid understanding of GB requirements is critical, as legal responsibility rests with manufacturers and/or importers in the Chinese market. Non-compliance can result in products being rejected upon importation and seized in stores. Manufacturers and/or suppliers responsible for such products may be subject to heavy fines, penalties, and imprisonment for violations of this standard.

Therefore, it is important for brands, retailers, and manufacturers to work with a trusted quality assurance partner to ensure product compliance to GB standards for China market access and achieve commercial success.

How can we help?

The Eurofins Softlines & Leather network of laboratories is accredited by China National Accreditation Services for Conformity (CNAS). Coupled with our technical experts globally, we can offer various services such as testing, labelling and markings review and other solutions for your GB compliance.

To ensure your textiles and apparel goods meet the stringent requirements of Chinese standards, speak to us about testing today.