New China Updated Product Standard – GB/T 22700-2016 <Washed Garments>

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August 13, 2017

SAFEGUARDS | Softlines NO. 129/17

National standard GB/T 22700-2008<Washed garments> was implemented nearly 9 years ago. In the intervening period, companies and the market have raised expectations on product quality. To meet the need for standardization regarding production, sales and marketing, the China National Standardization Technical Committees for Apparel has revised GB/T 22700-2008. The latest updated version GB/T 22700-2016 <Washed garments> was implemented on July 1, 2017.

Scope

This standard is applicable to washed garments which are mainly made of woven fabrics. This standard does not apply to denim wear and garments for infants (not older than 36 months).

Definition of Washed Garments

Washed garments are defined as those which are processed by one or more washing methods (stonewash, sand wash, enzyme wash, bleach wash, snow wash, etc.) at the finished garment stage, semi-finished product stage or fabric stage.

Main Technical Changes

Compared with its previous version <GB/T 22700-2008>, the main technical changes to <GB/T 22700-2016> are as follows:

Revised foreword
Some normative references updated
Revised instructions for use
Revised the provision for raw material
Revised the provision for stripe matching and plaid matching
Deleted the provisions for stitching fabrics
Revised the provisions for sewing rules
Deleted the provisions for the tolerance of specification and deviation for washed garments themselves
Revised the provisions for ironing
Revised the requirements for physical and chemical properties
Revised the testing method
Revised the determination criterion of quality defect for finished products
Revised the inspection rules for finished products
Deleted the testing method for seam slippage
Revised the testing method for colorfastness to dye transfer

Physical and Chemical Properties

Table 1 Requirements for Physical and Chemical Properties

Items			Superior grade	First grade	Qualified grade
Fiber contents/%			Shall comply with the requirement of GB/T 29862
Formaldehyde content /(mg/kg)			Shall comply with the requirements of GB 18401
pH value
Decomposable carcinogenic arylamines dyes /(mg/kg)
Odour
Dimensional stability after washing ^a/%	Collar		-1.5~ +1.0	-2.0~ +1.5	-2.0~ +1.5
	Chest girth		-1.5~ +1.0	-2.5~ +1.5	-2.5~ +1.5
	Top length		-1.5~ +1.0	-2.5~ +1.5	-2.5~ +1.5
	Waist girth		-1.5~ +1.0	-2.0~ +1.5	-2.0~ +1.5
	Trouser/skirt length		-1.5~ +1.0	-2.5~ +1.5	-2.5~ +1.5
Colorfastness of shell/grade≥	Washing	Change	4	3-4	3
	Washing	Staining	4	3-4	3
	Dry rubbing	Staining (Dark)	4	3	3
	Dry rubbing	Staining (Light)	4	3-4	3
	Wet rubbing	Staining (Dark)	3-4	2-3	-
	Wet rubbing	Staining (Light)	3-4	3	-
	Light	Change (Dark)	4	3-4	3
	Light	Change (Light)	3-4	3	2-3
	Perspiration	Change	4	3-4	3
	Perspiration	Staining	4	3-4	3
	Water	Change	4	3-4	3
	Water	Staining	4	3-4	3
	Dye transfer ^b		4	3-4
	Transfer in joints ^c		4-5	4
Colorfastness of lining/grade≥	Washing	Staining	3
	Dry rubbing		Shall comply with the requirements of GB 18401
	Perspiration	Change
	Perspiration	Staining
	Water	Change
	Water	Staining
Appearance after washing	Color change/Grade		≥4
	Spirality after washing/%		Shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 21295
	Appearance quality		Shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 21295
Abrasion resistance of shell ^d/cycle			≥10000
Tear force of shell/N			Shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 21295
Breaking force of shell/N
Seam property ^e	Seam strength of trouser back rise/N
Seam property ^e	Seam slippage /cm
Note 1: According to GB/T 4841.3, a color which is deeper than 1/12 standard depth can be defined as a dark color, and a color which is lighter than 1/12 standard depth can be defined as a light color. Note 2: ‘-‘means no assessment.
^a Dimensional change to washing of collar only applies to closed collar; Not applicable to elastic waist girth; Not applicable to dimensional change of wrinkled products along the wrinkle direction; allow ±1% requirement relaxation of dimensional change after washing for regenerated cellulose fiber products or/and products containing no less than 30% bast content. ^b Colorfastness to dye transfer test applies to fabrics with different colors of stitching, secondary color of yarn-dyed fabrics, and printed products. ^c Colorfastness to transfer in joints test applies to fabrics with different colors of stitching. ^d Abrasion resistance test does not apply to sanded fabrics or raised fabrics. ^e Seam property does not apply to outer fabrics which only have the decorative function.

Compared with GB/T 22700-2008 <Washed garments>: peeled-off strength of adhesive interlining, smoothness appearance after washing and drying and seam smoothness appearance after washing and drying have all been deleted, and definitions of dark color and light color are now given. In addition, new requirements have been added regarding sanded fabrics, raised fabrics and outer fabrics which only have a decorative function. Other requirements of items are basically the same as GB/T 22700-2008.

Apparent Quality and other Requirements

For more information, please refer to the original Standard GB/T 22700-2016 <Washed garments> or contact SGS directly.

SGS Global Softlines has an extensive network of over 40 laboratories worldwide, with a strong team of committed professionals from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. Our internationally accredited state-of-the-art testing laboratories offer a comprehensive range of physical, chemical and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. We help your company ensure quality, performance and compliance with international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide. Discover more at www.sgs.com/softlines.

For enquiries, please contact:

Louann Spirito
Director Technical Support, Softlines
t: +1 973 461 7919

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