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GB Standards : Placing consumer goods or safety products on China market

China has become one of the largest markets in the world for the consumption of imported or domestic fashion and luxury goods. Huge business opportunities are attracting more and more international brands to enter the China market. One of the keys to your success is your product's compliance with China's regulations standards. Many brands are not familiar with all the GB standards you are required to test to.

 

Chinese government organizations and standards system

GB standard : China Government Organization Chart

China Government Organization Chart

 

Chinese Supervision Bodies

Chinese Supervision Bodies

CIQ: China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau
QTS: Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau
AIC: State Administration for Industry and Commerce
CA: Consumers Association

 

When the consumer goods are imported from overseas and enter the Chinese territory, the CIQ (Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau) is in charge of check the products’ quality to make sure it respects Chinese regulation.

When the consumer goods are sold in the Chinese market, both Administration Industry & Commercial Bureau AIC and QTS have right to check the product quality on the market.

China GB (Guo Biao) standards are Chinese national standards issued by the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), the Chinese National Committee of the ISO and IEC. Chinese standards may be either mandatory or voluntary. The standards can be identified as mandatory or voluntary by their prefix code:

Scope

Mandatory standard

Voluntary standard

National standard

GB

GB/T

Industrial standard

 

QB/T, FZ/T, HG/T….

Province standard

 

DB/T

Enterprise standard

 

Q/XXXX

GB: National Mandatory Standards (Guo Biao)
T: Recommended or Voluntary
QB: Light industry (including footwear, leather goods…)
FZ: Textile
HG: Chemical industry

 

National standard (GB and GB/T): shall be formulated by the department of standardization administration under the State Council for the technical requirements that need to be unified nationwide. (e.g..: GB 31701 Safety technical specifications for children textile).

Industrial standard (QB/T, FZ/T, HG/T….): in the absence of national standards, technical requirements for a certain industry need to be unified, industry standards (QB/T, FZ/T…) may be formulated. (e.g.: QB/T 1277-2012 pH values for leather).

Province standard (DB/T): in the absence of both national and industry standards, safety and sanitary requirements for industrial products need to be unified within a province or a city, local standards (DB) may be formulated. (e.g.: DB31/T 645-2012 is Shanghai fruit grades for table grape).

 

GB Standards : Why you need to comply ?

In China, all products being sold are required to fulfill Chinese quality requirements. There is no formal regulation requirement to test the products, however, it is mandatory to ensure quality of your products. No matter you want to sell your products in Department Store (eg: Carrefour, Walmart…) or online (eg: JD, Taobao, TMALL or Amazon China…), most probably you will need to provide a PASS testing report, as department stores and online platforms want to make sure the products meet requirements of Chinese standards.

The result is if you want to export products to Chinese market, need to understand and be aware of the complexities and necessary requirements under the vast range of GB standards, need to ensure they can meet the requirements of GB China national standards.

Failure to comply with GB Standards could result in your products being banned or impounded and could lead to reputational damage and fines.

 

Market surveillance in China

State Administration of Market Supervision
or
Local Market Supervision Administration
Carry out regual supervision and inspection for the products in the circulation field
Publish the report of random inspection online

 

State Administration of Market Supervision and local market supervision administration have their own official website for publishing market surveillance plan and the result of supervision spot-check for product quality.

On the 7th of May 2020, the China Administration of Market Supervision announced the 2020 National product quality supervision and spot check plan. The spot check plan includes a total of 131 products. The General Administration of Market Supervision will seriously organize and carry out the spot checks, release the results to the public and deal with violations of product quality according to law. Among those hot products, baby & children garments / toys / footwear, bed linens, leather garments, casual garments, down garments, leather shoes, trolley cases and PPE items are involved.

(Source: http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2020-05/11/content_5510613.htm)

Example

On 1st January, 2020, Shanghai Market Supervision Administration issued the results of random inspection on the quality supervision of adult shoes. 50 batches of products were randomly inspected, and 17 batches were unqualified after inspection according to related GB standards.

Unqualified items of adult shoes

Azo dyes

Shank

Delamination resistance

Color fastness to rubbing on lining and in sock materials

Pulling strength of upper strap

resistance of heel

Source

The unqualified products found in this spot check will be handed over to the market supervision department of the place where the enterprise is located for handling according to law.

 

Cooperate with approved laboratory

CNAS - China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment

CNAS is the national accreditation body of China responsible for the accreditation of all laboratories, including certification bodies and inspection bodies in the society. The test reports issued are internationally mutually recognized.

CNAS : China National Accreditation Service

 

CMA- China Metrology Accreditation

All accredited organizations (commercial and government laboratories) are requested to provide certification with accurate examination data to the public. CMA examines the testing ability and reliability of those testing organizations.

CMA : China Metrology Accreditation

 

In order to make sure your products enter to Chinese mark successfully, you shall cooperate with CNAS and CMA accredited laboratory (e.g.: CTC laboratory) for inspection and testing services. The test reports issued by the accredited organizations can be used to evaluate product quality with legal effect.

 

China GB Standard: Main Safety Standards

Safety Standard - Basic Request

GB Standard

English

Chinese

GB 18401-2010

National General Safety Technical Code for Textile Product

国家纺织产品基本安全技术规范

GB 31701-2015

Safety technical code for infants and children textile product

婴幼儿及儿童纺织产品安全技术

GB 30585-2014

Safety Technical Specifications for Children's Footwear

儿童鞋安全技术规范

GB 20400-2006

Leather and fur-Limit of harmful matter

皮革和毛皮有害物质限量

GB 21550-2008

The restriction of hazardous materials in polyvinyl chloride artificial leather

聚氯乙烯人造革有害物质限量

Here we will look at the basics of the GB 18401 standard to give you a better understanding of your responsibilities as a manufacturer and/or an importer into China.

 

GB 18401-2010 classifies all textile products into 3 categories

Category

Examples of Product

A. Products for babies (≤ 36 months)

Diaper pads, diapers, underwear, bibs, pajamas, gloves, socks, coats, hats, beddings

B. Products with direct skin contact

Bras, bellybands, vests, shorts, skirts, cotton singlets, skirts (summer), trousers (summer), socks, bed sheets, underwear, quilt cover, towels, swimming suit, hats

C. Products without direct skin contact

Sweaters, jackets, skirts, trousers, curtains, bedspreads, wall fabrics, fillings, linings

 

Technical Requirement Chart for GB 18401-2010:

Testing Item

Category A

Category B

Category C

Formaldehyde Content (mg/kg)

≤20

≤75

≤300

pH Value

4.0 to 7.5

4.0 to 8.5

4.0 to 9.0

Color fastness to Water

Grade≥3-4

Grade≥3

Grade≥3

Color fastness to Acid Perspiration

Grade≥3-4

Grade≥3

Grade≥3

Color fastness to Alkali Perspiration

Grade≥3-4

Grade≥3

Grade≥3

Color fastness to Dry Rubbing

Grade≥4

Grade≥3

Grade≥3

Color fastness to Saliva

Grade≥4

N/A

N/A

Odor

N/A

Azo dyes (mg/kg)

Prohibited(≤20mg/kg)

 

China GB Standards: Main Product Standards

Product standards are set for some or all of the requirements or specifications which products must meet to ensure the suitability of products, and serve as a basis for production, inspection, acceptance, use, maintenance, and trade negotiations.

There are massive product standards, to avoid confusing you, here we would like to show you some main product standards for Footwear, Garment, Leather goods, Accessories, PPE footwear and PPE gloves.

 

Main GB Footwear Standards

QB/T 2955-2017
CASUAL SHOES
休闲鞋

QB/T 1002-2015
LEATHER SHOES
皮鞋

QB/T 2880-2016
CHILDREN’S LEATHER SHOES
儿童皮鞋

CASUAL SHOES LEATHER SHOES CHILDREN’S LEATHER SHOES

GB/T 15107-2013
ATHLETIC SHOES
旅游鞋

QB/T 4331-2012
CHILDREN’S ATHLETIC SHOES
儿童旅游鞋

QB/T 22756-2017
LEATHER SANDALS
皮凉鞋

ATHLETIC SHOES CHILDREN’S ATHLETIC SHOES LEATHER SANDALS

QB/T 2977-2008
EVA SLIPPERS AND SANDALS EVA
拖鞋和凉鞋

HG/T 3086-2011
RUBBER-PLASTICS SLIPPERS AND SANDALS
橡塑凉拖鞋

QB/T 4329-2012
CLOTH SHOES
布鞋

EVA SLIPPERS AND SANDALS EVA RUBBER-PLASTICS SLIPPERS AND SANDALS CLOTH SHOES

 

Main GB Garment Standards

GB/T 2660-2008
Shirts and blouses
衬衫

GB/T 14272-2011
Down Garments
羽绒服装

Shirts and blouses Down Garments

FZ/T 81004-2012
Skirts and Skirted suit
连衣裙、套裙

FZ/T 81006-2007
Jeanswear
牛仔服装

Skirts and Skirted suit Jeanswear

 

Main GB Leather Goods Standards

QB/T 1333-2018
Handbag and knapsack
背提包

QB/T 2155-2018
Travelling case and Trolley bag
旅行箱包

Handbag and knapsack Travelling case and Trolley bag

QB/T 1619-2018
Wallet
票夹

QB/T 1618-2018
Leather belt
皮腰带

Wallet Leather belt

 

Main GB Accessoires Standards

FZ/T 82002-2016
Woven caps
缝制帽

FZ/T 73044-2012
Knitted accessories
针织配饰品

Woven caps Knitted accessories

FZ/T 73042-2011
Knitted scarf and shawl
针织围巾、披肩

FZ/T 74004-2016
Ski glove
滑雪手套

Knitted scarf and shawl Ski glove

QB/T 1584-2018
Leather gloves
日用皮手套

 
Leather gloves  

 

 

PPE products (except for PPE gloves) sold in the Chinese market in the past many years have required « Lao An » certificate, but the certification system was cancelled by Chinese national regulations in early 2015. Therefore, it’s legal for retailers to sell products that have not been certified by « Lao An » in the Chinese market. Nonetheless, with observations of practice over the past few years, most purchasers in China may still require suppliers to provide this « Lao An » certificate as one of the bidding conditions.

Below please see the main PPE footwear standards :

 

Main GB PPE Footwear Standards

GB 21146-2007
Occupational Footwear
职业鞋

GB 21147-2007
Protective Footwear
防护鞋

GB 21148-2007
Safety Footwear
安全鞋

Occupational Footwear Protective Footwear  Safety Footwear

GB 20266-2006
Chemical resistant Industrial rubber boots
耐化学品的工业用橡胶靴

GB 12011-2009
Electrical insulating footwear
电绝缘鞋

AQ 6105-2008
Safety boot for miners
矿工安全靴

Chemical resistant Industrial rubber boots Electrical insulating footwear Safety boot for miners

GB 20265-2006
Chemical-resistant industrial molded plastic boots
耐化学品的工业用模压塑料靴

   
Chemical-resistant industrial molded plastic boots    

 

GB 21146-2007 Occupational Footwear : incorporating protective features to protect the wearer from injuries which could arise through accidents.

GB 21147-2007 Protective Footwear : incorporating protective features to protect the wearer from injuries which could arise through accidents, fitted with toecaps, protection against impact when tested at an energy level of at least 100 J and against compression when tested at a compression load of at least 10 kN.

GB 21148-2007 Safety Footwear: incorporating protective features to protect the wearer from injuries which could arise through accidents, fitted with toecaps, protection against impact when tested at an energy level of at least 200 J and against compression when tested at a compression load of at least 15 kN.

According to different types of protection, the standard of PPE gloves mainly includes the following.

 

Main GB PPE Gloves Standards

GB/T 17622-2008
Live working-gloves of insulating material
带电作业用绝缘手套

GB 24541-2009
Protective gloves against mechanical risks
机械危害防护手套

GB 28881-2012
Protective gloves against chemical and micro-organism
化学品及微生物防护手套

Live working-gloves of insulating material Protective gloves against mechanical risks Protective gloves against chemical and micro-organism

AQ 6101-2007
Oil resistant rubber gloves
橡胶耐油手套

AQ 6102-2007
Acid and Alkali resistant Gloves
耐酸(碱)手套

AQ 6103-2007
Protective gloves for welders
焊工防护手套

Oil resistant rubber gloves Acid and Alkali resistant Gloves Protective gloves for welders

 

Here we would like to introduce specific technical requirements for QB/T 2955-2017 Casual shoes as an example.

 

Technical Requirement Chart for QB/T 2955-2017 (casual shoes)

No.

Testing Item

Requirement

1

Appearance checking

conform with QB/T 2955

2

Delamination resistance

>=40N/cm
(>=30N/cm if material problem)
​no need to test if stitched or nailed structure
3

Bond strength of outsole/midsole

>=20N/cm (for cellular sole, if material tear but not separated: >=15N/cm)

4

Flexing resistance of whole footwear

cut<=20mm, new crack less than 3, length of each new crack <=5mm, no damage of coating/upper/sole/foxing, no bonding problem, no air leakage for cushion after test. [no need to test if outsole thickness (include cleats) of flexing area > 25mm ]

5

Abrasion resistance of outsole

length of crack <=14mm
(no need to test if genuine leather sole)

6

Pulling strength of upper strap

>=70N/cm (>=30N/cm if material problem)

7

Low-temperature flexing of upper (-10°C)

conform with QB/T 2224
(If upper intended to be worn under low temperature)

8

Flexing resistance of outsole material in cold condition

conform with QB/T 4886

9

Color fastness to rubbing on lining and insock materials

>=2/3 staining

10

Odor test

<= grade 3

11

Outsole - Thickness

Contact floor-forepart >=3.0mm
(excluding thickness of cleat/texture)

12

Labelling and general checking

conform with QB/T 2955 and QB/T 2673 Shoe labelling

13

Azo Dye

Textile <=20ppm,
Leather/fur <=30ppm

14

Formaledehyde

skin contact <=75 ppm,
non-skin contact <=300 ppm

 

Above main product standards are for your reference, if you would like to know more GB standards about your products and which testing items shall be applied to your products, please feel free to contact us.

 

Who is CTC

CTC Group has been in quality assurance business for over 100 years, we provide professional quality control services for footwear, leather goods, textile, apparel, luggage, PPE

CTC dedicated team are able to help you to manage your GB Program for China market. CTC China has three professional laboratories (located in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dongguan) which are accredited to ISO 17025 standard.

CTC Shanghai Laboratory and CTC Dongguan Laboratory have been accredited by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) and the China Metrology Accreditation (CMA) for many years, we are able to issue 2C reports (CNAS and CMA) based on authorities’ requirements.

CNAS CMA

CTC Shanghai: N° L4577
CTC Dongguan: N° L5912
CTC Shanghai (inspection): IB0212

CTC Shanghai: 160921341119
CTC Dongguan: 2016192132Z

 

In addition, CTC actively participates in various Chinese Standardization Committees, CTC is member of:

  • Footwear Technical Committee: TC 305
  • Leather Goods Technical Committee: TC 252
  • Textile Technical Committee: TC 209
  • PPE (safety gloves, safety footwear) Technical Committee: TC 112

The roles above can support us helping our clients to closely understand the standards and relevant policy from Chinese authorities.

 

How CTC can support you

Whether you are an established consumer product manufacturer, hoping to break into the Chinese market, or a new brand looking to make the Chinese consumer your main focus, a knowledgeable laboratory testing and inspection service can provide you with all necessary information on the local regulations, help you establish a design and production plan, and carry out all lab testing and inspection procedures you need to ensure consistent quality and market compliance.

As the leading expert on Chinese GB standards, CTC can provide one-stop-shop solution for selling goods in China Market:

  • Physical and Chemical Testing

Any questions regarding GB testing, you can always get supports from CTC, just contact with our GB specialists / GB service officers. Pre-testing before shipment to China can clients help to lower the risks of market supervision.

  • Training and Consulting

We are always providing customized training and consulting program based on clients’ needs in accordance with GB standards and your products. The training could be arranged in client’s office or CTC offices. We can also provide webinar training per clients’ needs to avoid geographical restrictions.

  • Suggestion

Our GB team can help to select the GB testing category and recommend necessarily sensitive items to save costs. Besides, improvement recommendations can be given by CTC technicians to help you improve your quality and test results.

  • Translating

We can help to translate necessarily Chinese regulation and GB standards from Chinese to English for your better understanding.

  • Label Checking

We can guide clients to well understand GB labeling requirements for rightly usage and present.

 

Welcome to contact CTC for your GB program!

CONTACT CTC FRANCE

CTC Lyon

Addresse : 4 rue Hermann Frenkel - 69367 Lyon Cedex 7, France
Tel.: + 33 4 72 76 10 10
Personne à Contacter
Mr. Jean-Luc Chaverot - jlchaverot@ctcgroupe.com
Mr. Pierre Beaupoil  - pbeaupoil@ctcgroupe.com

CONTACT CTC CHINA

CTC Hong Kong

Address: Units 1801-1802, Tower B, Regent CENTRE, 63 Wo Yi Hop Road – Kwai Chung
New TERRITORIES - HONG KONG
Tel.: +852 3614 0328
Contact person:
Mr. Leo TOM - ltom@ctcgroupe.com

CTC Shanghai

Address: 3F, Building Block 2, No. 3400 Gonghexin Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai 200436, P.R. CHINA
Tel.: + 86 21 6855 5032
Contact person:
Mr. Vincent BRIDRON - vbridron@ctcgroupe.com
Mr. Chris CHEN (for PPE Gloves) - cchen@ctcgroupe.com

CTC Dongguan

Address: No. 14 building, SME Park of Northern Industry City, Songshan Lake Sci & Tech. Industry Park Dongguan city, Guangdong province 523808 P.R. - CHINA.
Tel. +86 769 2303 7770
Contact person:
Mr. Homer CHEN - hchen@ctcgroupe.com
Ms. May YE - mye@ctcgroupe.com
Mr. Kevin LEE (for PPE Footwear) - klee@ctcgroupe.com

CTC Wenzhou

Contact person:
Mr. Sam LIN - ctcwenzhou@ctcgroupe.com

CTC Xiamen

Contact person:
Ms. Lindsey LIN - ctcxiamen@ctcgroupe.com

 

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