China Lowers Import Tariffs, Market Prepares for Footwear Boom

HONG KONG, China - Dec. 2, 2015 - PRLog -- SGS Sees Potential in Demographic Shifts

Tariffs for leather shoes, rubber shoes and sports shoes have been reduced from 22-24% to 12%, with the prospect of introducing more international brands to China and creating more choice for consumers. With this in mind, market analysts (1) estimate that by 2016 60% of China’s 1.3 billion population will be considered middle class, SGS expects domestic footwear consumption in China to increase in the near future, which will present huge business potential for many international brands.

Footwear Testing Ensures Mandatory Standards Compliance

For these reasons, it is important for the brands and retailers to ensure the footwear products they sell in China are compliant with China’s mandatory standards, Guo Biao, (GB) and other applicable product standards. Common mandatory standards and product standards are listed below. Many of these standards address restricted substances, physical safety, workmanship and labeling requirements. Products must meet the applicable standards prior to sale, or risk recall.

Mandatory National Standards

GB 21550-2008 Restriction of hazardous materials in polyvinyl chloride artificial leather
GB 25038-2010 Rubber shoes: health and safety specifications
GB 21536-2008 Athletic shoes
GB 25036-2010 Children’s canvas rubber footwear (shoes)
GB 30585-2014 Safety technical specifications for children's footwear
GB 28011-2011 Shanks for footwear
GB 20400-2006 Leather and fur – Limit of harmful matter
and many more to be updated as regulation changes

Common Product Standards

QB/T 1002-2005 Leather shoes
QB/T 2880-2007 Children’s leather shoes
GB/T 15107-2013 Athletic shoes
QB/T 2955-2008 Casual shoes
and many more to be updated as regulation changes

Reference:

(1) China Business Review – 1 January 2009 – Understanding China’s Middle Class (http://www.chinabusinessreview.com/understanding-chinas-m...)

Easy Access to China’s Accredited SGS Laboratories

Through its CNAS and CMA accredited laboratories network in China for China GB testing, SGS is able to support international brands and retailers in evaluating footwear compliance with China’s standards.

The SGS Footwear Competence Center in Guangzhou is strategically located in Southern China to serve many manufacturers such as fashion, sports and women’s shoes producers. In addition, SGS’ state-of-the-art footwear laboratories in Shanghai & Hangzhou are located in the heart of leather and rubber footwear manufacturing sites as well as close to many sourcing offices of international brands. The strategic locations enable the industry to access fast and professional testing, audit and inspection services SGS offers at their doorsteps.

To further support the industry, SGS footwear and leather specialists located at the Footwear Competence Center are able to provide services related to all aspects of the footwear & leather supply chain, including Footwear Defect Analysis (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Softlines-and...) , Mold Prevention Solutions (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Softlines-and-Accessories/Footwear-and-Leather-Products/Mold-Prevention.aspx) and Chromium VI Prevention Solutions (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Softlines-and-Accessories/Footwear-and-Leather-Products/Chromium-VI-Solutions.aspx) to help the industry troubleshoot commonly encountered challenges.

For further information, please contact an SGS expert.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Kris Wan
Senior Manager, Global Softlines Development Office
SGS Hong Kong

Website: www.sgs.com/softlines
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.