A Cut Ahead: Trending Textiles & Labeling Regulations In January 2024

The textiles regulatory environment is ever-changing, especially considering chemical, labeling, and extended producer responsibility (EPR) issues that the industry faces today. With a 26% growth in textile regulations since 2020, its more important than ever to stay ahead of changing regulatory requirements.

To help you stay a cut ahead, we gather some of the most interesting recent inquiries from Compliance & Risks customers around trending textile labeling fiber regulations across the world.

Q1) Product Stewardship in Australia

Can you please confirm if it is a mandatory requirement to join the Australian National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme (NCPSS) or Seamless?

Beth McCalister, Senior Regulatory Consultant, answers:

Per the Recycling and Waste Reduction (RAWR) Act 2020, Australia is able to require product stewardship for textile products.

Clothing textiles were added to the Minister’s Priority List in 2021. Two of the required actions for the clothing textiles industry are, by 2025, to:

• Reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfills by focusing on design to create more durable goods that are reusable and more easily recycled; and
• Reduce environmental and social impacts of apparel throughout the supply chain by focusing, again, on design to improve the product’s durability, reparability, re-usability, and/or recyclability.

Another required action for the clothing textiles industry is to design and implement a national product stewardship scheme to address end-of-life matters throughout the entire supply chain. Seamless, developed by the Australian Fashion Council, is not mandatory. However, the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP of Australia’s House of Representatives, noted earlier in 2023 that voluntary schemes could become mandatory if not enough businesses participate voluntarily.

Q2) Waterproof Outerwear in China

In China, does GB/T 32614-2023 apply to all outerwear products or only the products that are claimed to be waterproof?

Amy Chen, Regulatory Consultant, answers:

Section 1 of GB/T 32614-2023 Outdoor sportswear―Water resistant garment states that the standard applies to water resistant garments. Section 3.1 defines “water resistant garments” as garments that are mainly made of waterproof and breathable fabrics, used for outdoor sports, and with waterproof and breathable functions.

Therefore, it seems the standard only applies to waterproof garments. 

Q3) Footwear Labeling in Vietnam

Are there any labeling requirements in Vietnam for material content in footwear?

Maria Marecki, Market Access Manager, answers:

A: Decree No. 43/2017/ND-CP on Product Labels establishes labeling requirements for textiles and footwear. Appendix I shows the required content as follows:

• Composition or composition quantities;
• Technical specifications;
• Warning information;
• Instructions for use and storage;
• Year of manufacture.

Meet Our Experts

Maria Marecki, Market Access Manager, Compliance & Risks

Maria Marecki is the Market Access Manager at Compliance & Risks.

She has over a decade of experience as a research consultant compiling customized products to address strategic business needs for retailers and manufacturers, including entering new geographic markets and development of global best practices around regulatory compliance.

Her experience in product safety and labeling spans a wide range of products including children’s products, apparel, footwear, electronics, and cosmetics.

Beth McCalister, Senior Regulatory Consultant, Compliance & Risks

Beth McCalister, MLS, is a Senior Regulatory Consultant in the Global Market Access team at Compliance & Risks.

Beth has more than a decade’s worth of experience as a research consultant — monitoring, selecting, and summarizing international consumer products regulations; compiling customized products to address strategic business needs for retailers and manufacturers, including entering new geographic markets; facilitating education and training throughout the supply chain; and developing global best practices around regulatory compliance.

Beth is constantly developing her subject matter expertise in extended producer responsibility in addition to multiple types of consumer products.

Amy Chen, Regulatory Consultant, Compliance & Risks

A market access & regulatory consultant with Compliance & Risks, Amy specializes in consumer products compliance, focusing on China, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries.

She helps product manufacturers to identify and understand the regulations in place in the markets to which they sell by helping them to map their obligations with regard to product safety (chemicals, EMC, radio frequency), labeling, energy efficiency, waste and packaging.

Stay Updated With Global Textile Labeling Regulations

Our cheat sheets are designed to empower your brand with the knowledge needed to meet labeling requirements, safety standards, chemical restrictions, testing and certification prerequisites, and eco-conscious waste management guidelines.

See More