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JOURNAL OF PRAUDEN

China DOWN Product Labeling Standard Change

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.

ClassificationExisting standardChanged standard
Raw materialGB/T 17685Maintain
BeddingQB/T 1193Maintain
ClothingGB/T 14272-2011GB/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.

ClassificationBefore ChangeAfter Change
Fill Power Testing MethodsOven Bake MethodSteam Method
Content Labeling含绒量绒子含量
Label as down, do not label down content
Down fiber standardIncluded in DownClassified as a separate item with the feather fiber, not included in the Down
Minimum down cluster standardUp 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 standardChanged in part
APEO standardNoneNewly established
Oxygen≤ 10mg≤ 5.6mg
Fat & Oil≤ 1.3%≤ 1.2%
OdorStandard changed
Turbidity≥ 450mm≥ 500mm
Moisture≤ 13%Standard deleted
Microbiological testingMustStandard deleted
Indistinguishable down/ feather standardClassified as goose'sClassified 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)