China DOWN Product Labeling Standard Change
2022-09-21
As of April 1, of this year, China’s DOWN product labeling standard has been changed. Among the GB(Guójiā Biāozhǔn), the national standard of China, the standards for DOWN products are divided into raw materials, bedding, and clothing, and what has been revised this time is the clothing standard. For those selling DOWN clothing in China, the following are the must-to-know-changes.
| Classification | Existing standard | Changed standard |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material | GB/T 17685 | Maintain |
| Bedding | QB/T 1193 | Maintain |
| Clothing | GB/T 14272-2011 | GB/T 14272-2021 |
This standard is for DOWN garments whose primary material is fabrics (woven) and has a down content of 50% or more. The standard does not apply to products with the filler blended with other materials, such as polyester.
<GB standard>
Changes:
Change of Fill Power testing methods and standards
The sample preparation method for measuring fill power has been changed from the existing oven bake method to the steam conditioning method. The steam method is an internationally used IDFB testing method, representing fill power measurement.
DOWN content labeling
The classification of down has changed, and the actual content’s standard has changed. Previously, the total down content was allowed up to -3% of the label, including fiber. The standard excluding fibers was allowed up to 90% of the label. The standard of fiber was defined separately in the new standard. Down content is allowed to up to -5% of the label.
Change of testing methods and standards
Testing methods for Oxygen, Fat & Oil, Odor, and Turbidity have been changed to GB/T10288-2016, and standards have also been changed.
Standard Deletion
Standards for moisture and microbiological testing have been deleted.
APEO standard establishment
Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) are surfactants used to wash fabrics. The substance can harm the ecosystem and the human body if left. Thus, it is being restricted globally. The corresponding standard has been newly established for DOWN materials as follows.
| NP + OP <10mg/kg NP + OP + NPnEO + OPnEO<100mg/kg |
Non-identifiable down/feather testing standards
Indistinguishable down and feather were previously classified as goose’s. However, after the change, they have been classified by the proportion of goose and duck down identified from testing results.
| Classification | Before Change | After Change |
|---|---|---|
| Fill Power Testing Methods | Oven Bake Method | Steam Method |
| Content Labeling | 含绒量 | 绒子含量 Label as down, do not label down content |
| Down fiber standard | Included in Down | Classified as a separate item with the feather fiber, not included in the Down |
| Minimum down cluster standard | Up to 90% of the label e.g.) Up to 81% for 90% labeled | Up to -5% of the label e.g.) Up to 85% for 90% labeled |
| Landfowl feather standard | Changed in part | |
| APEO standard | None | Newly established |
| Oxygen | ≤ 10mg | ≤ 5.6mg |
| Fat & Oil | ≤ 1.3% | ≤ 1.2% |
| Odor | Standard changed | |
| Turbidity | ≥ 450mm | ≥ 500mm |
| Moisture | ≤ 13% | Standard deleted |
| Microbiological testing | Must | Standard deleted |
| Indistinguishable down/ feather standard | Classified as goose's | Classified by the proportion of goose/ducks' |
<Summary of changes>
The changed standard document can be found at the link below.
Chinese Original (Source: CN DOWN)
English Summary (Source: IDFL)
By Kim Beom-su, NPA (Pan-Pacific Nanjing Corporation)
