September 23, 2026
Leather and fur products sit at the intersection of chemical safety and consumer trust. The substances used in tanning, dyeing and finishing can remain in the finished article, and regulators pay particular attention to the parts a consumer touches and to products intended for young children. China has replaced its long-standing safety specification for leather and fur with an updated mandatory national standard. GB 20400-2026 widens the scope of recycled leather, extends coverage for infant products, and tightens limits on a range of hazardous substances. With a transition period and a fixed implementation date, brands and retailers sourcing from or selling into China have a defined window to adapt.
GB 20400‑2026 is a mandatory Chinese national standard for the safety of leather, fur and recycled leather products, replacing GB 20400‑2006.
It expands coverage to recycled leather, extends coverage for infant products to children up to 36 months old, and introduces stricter limits on hazardous substances, including formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, SCCPs, phthalates, heavy metals and dimethyl fumarate.
The standard focuses on accessible parts of products and includes a 19‑month transition period for products made or imported before the implementation date.
The standard takes effect April 1, 2027.
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UL Solutions can help you assess leather and fur products against GB 20400-2026. Our restricted substances testing and advisory services and chemical testing and analysis services for consumer products can help you plan a testing program, review supplier data and prepare for the implementation date. Contact us for support.