June 8, 2015
DETAILS
China's first national compulsory standard GB 31701-2015 “The Safety Technical Code for Infants and Children Textile Products,” was published on May 26, 2015 and will be in effect beginning June 1, 2018.
A two-year transition period is given for the implementation of the standard, from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2018. During the transition period, products manufactured before June 1, 2016 meeting the requirements of GB 18401 and relevant standards are still allowed to be sold on the market. Beginning June 1, 2018, all products sold on the market must meet this standard.
Applicable Products
The standard specifies technical and safety requirements for textile and apparel products sold in the mainland China market and intended for infants and children aged 36 months or below, as well as children between 3 and 14 years.
WHY IT MATTERS
The technical requirements are classified into Category A, B, C, with infants’ products needing to meet the requirement of category A. Products contacting with skin directly should at least meet the requirement of category B. Products contacting with the skin indirectly should at least meet the requirement of category C.
Safety requirements are enhanced and reinforced based on GB 18401, including:
- Chemical Substances
Added limitation requirements on six phthalates and two heavy metals (lead and cadmium). - Mechanical Performance
The head and neck part of apparels of infants and children under the age of 7 are not allowed to include rope or string. - Textile Accessories
Accessories including but not limited to buttons and zippers, must conform to the range of tensile strength specified, and shall not contain any sharp edges and sharp points. - Flammability
Flammability on shell fabric is required and exemptions of certain materials are stated.
HOW UL CAN HELP
For more details on how UL can help you bring regulatory compliant, safe, and quality products to market, please get in touch. A UL representative will follow up with you soon.