China Unveils New Standard for Clothing with Filling

China has unveiled an updated product standard GB/T 2662 for clothes with fillings. The new version, which replaces the 2008 version and will be implemented from December 1, 2017, covers woven textile fabric clothing filled with natural fibres, chemical fibres, or their blend, clothing that has animal fur or artificial fur linings and/or detachable linings.

The 2017 version of the standard, released by the National Technical Committee of Garments of the Standardisation Administration, replaces the 2008 version. The new standard was included in number 11 announcement 2017, of newly approved national standards in the People’s Republic of China.

The standard covers mass produced woven textile fabric clothing that is filled with either natural fibres, chemical fibres, or a blend of these materials. It also covers clothing that has animal fur or artificial fur linings and/or detachable linings. It does not cover products containing down or feather, or infant clothing for children aged less than 36 months.

GB/T 2662-2017 contains several revisions to GB/T 2662-2008. These include changes to the applicable scope of the standard, normative references, instruction for use, information about auxiliary material, appearance defects, sewing rules, ironing rules, inspections and classification of finished products, and inspection and determination rules for finished products

The latest version of the standard includes a provision that children’s clothing with fillings, for children aged 36 months to 14 years, should comply with the requirements of GB 31701, the testing methods for finished products and the test method for the safety performance of children’s clothing.

GB/T 2662-2017 has deleted two annexes - Annex A - Test methods for seam slippage and Annex B - Sample sketch for the seam strength of trouser back rise

The new edition of the standard lists new tests for fibre content, formaldehyde content, pH value, banned azo colourants, Odour, dimensional change after washing, dimensional change after dry cleaning, colourfastness for shell (washing, dry cleaning, water, perspiration, rubbing, light, transfer in joints), colourfastness for lining (washing, dry rubbing, water, perspiration), seam strength of trouser back rise, seam slippage, peel strength value for garments with adhesive interlining, pilling property for shell, and appearance after washing and/or dry cleaning.