The formulation of current product standards is mainly based on current production processes and overall technical level, with less consideration for the consumer experience. From the perspective of consumer experience, this document constructs an assessment index system based on the subjective perception characteristics of consumers, such as visual, tactile and olfactory, on the basis of basic safety and quality requirements that directly reflect the needs of consumers.

As per the standard, general safety technical requirements of textile products shall conform to the requirements of GB 18401 or GB  31701 (products for infants and children) and quality requirements of textile products shall conform to the requirements of related claimed product standard.

Characteristics of visual perception of textile products include fibre shedding degree, pilling, resistance to pile loop extraction, force to rupture pocket seams, seam slippage of pocket seams, bursting strength of hosiery toe, colourfastness to washing (staining), colourfastness to light yellowing, shedding of glitter and appearance after laundering or dry-cleaning. Each testing item has its corresponding applicable products or specific parts of product.

Characteristics of tactile perception of textile products include prickle, water-vapour transmission rate, tactile sense for permanent label (including brand), tactile sense for zipper, tactile sense for touch and close fasteners, length for floats, slip resistance for hosiery. Each testing item has its corresponding applicable products or specific parts of product. Additionally, characteristics of olfactory perception of textile products shall be no pungent smell.

The purpose of the standard is to guide enterprises to pay close attention to consumer demand and the development of standardised technology when designing and producing products to give consumers a good experience and strive to avoid products that bring an unpleasant experience, according to SGS Global Softlines, a global network with 10 laboratories in China, offering a wide range of CNAS and CMA accredited services for textiles, apparel, footwear and accessories.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)