ICS 03.080.30; 59.080.01  
A 12  
NATIONAL STANDARD OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA  
GB 5296.4 -200x  
Replaces GB 5296.4 —1998  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Instructions for use of products of consumer interest —Part 4: Textiles 
and apparel  
 
(Draft Submitted for Approval)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
Announced XX -XX-200X    Effective XX -XX-200X  
 
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the 
People's Republic of China  
Announced by:  
Standardi sation  Administration of China    
GB 5296.4 —200X  
 
 
Foreword  
 
 
 The entire technical content of the present part of GB 5296 is mandatory.  
 GB 5296 “Instructions for use of products of consumer interest” is divided into 7 parts:  
  Part 1: General Principles  
  Part 2: Household and similar electrical appliances  
  Part 3: General labelling  for cosmetics  
  Part 4: Textiles and apparel  
  Part 5: Toys  
  Part 6: Furniture  
  Part 7: Sports equipment  
 The present part is Part 4 of GB 5296.  
 The present part replaces and voids GB 5296.4 -1998 “Instructions for use of products of  
consumer interest:  Instructions for use of textiles and apparel .” The present part changes the technical 
content of GB 5296.4 -1998 primarily with respect to the following:  
 --Adds a range of products  to which the present part does not apply ; 
 --Adds the term “products  of consumer interest ”; revise s the de finitions of the terms “textile s” 
and “instructions for use ”; 
 --Employ s a higher level of detail in presenting the sizes and  specificatio ns of various types of 
products;  
 --Eliminate s product quality gra des, certificates of inspection and compliance, a nd product use 
expiration dates;  
 --Adds prod uct safety categories (see 5.7);  
 --Adds the provision “ Other contents should take a form other than permanent label ” to 6.2.1 ; 
 --Adds a provision on products cu stom made for groups (see 6 .2.3);  
 --Eliminate s the original Appendices A and B ; 
 --Adds the regulatory Appendix A “Products to which the present  part does not apply ”; 
 --Adds the informational Appendix B “ Assess ing defects in instructions for use ”. 
 Appen dix A to the present part is a regulator y appendix; Appendix B is an informational 
appendix.  
 The present part was put forward by the National Technical Committee o f Standardis ation of 
Services.  
The present part is under the jurisdiction of the National Te chnical Committee of  
Standardis ation of Services, the China Textiles Standardisation  Technical Committee, and the National 
Apparel Standardisation Technical Committee . 
The main entities involved in drafting the present part: China National Institute of 
Standardis ation, China Textile Academy, Shanghai Apparel Research Institute, Erdos Cashmere Group 
Corp., Jiangsu Menglan Group  Co., Ltd. , and Eral Group Co., Ltd.  
Main authors of the present part: Zheng Ningying, Xu Lu, Xu Jian, Zuo Peilan, Wang Shichuan, 
Tian Jun, Chen Jianhua, Nie Yayuan, and He Rongjun.  
The previous versions replaced by the present part are: GB 5296.4 -1987 and GB 5296.4 -1998.  
1 GB 5296.4 —200X  
 
Instructions for use of products of consumer interest —Part 4: Textiles and apparel  
 
1 Scope  
 
 The present part of GB 5296 establishes basic principles, labelling  information, and labelling  requirements  for 
instructions for use of textiles and apparels . 
 The present part applies to textiles and apparel sold in China.  
 The present part does not apply to  the products listed in Appendix A.  
 See Appendix B for assess ing defects in instructions for use.  
 
2 Cited regulatory documents  
 
 The clauses in the documents below become clauses of the present  part of GB 5296  by virtue of being cited by 
the present part . If a date is indicated for a cited document, subsequent revision sheets (not including the corrigenda) or 
amendments do not apply to the present part . Nevertheless, the parties to agreements based on the present part  are 
encouraged to study whether the m ost recent version s of the se document s can be used. If no date is indicated for a 
cited document, then the most recent version applies to the present part . 
 GB/T 1335 (all parts)  Apparel sizes  
 GB 5296.1  Instructions for use of products of consumer interes t—Part 1: General principles  
 GB/T 8685  Textiles: Care labelling  code —Symbolism  
 GB 18401  National general safety technical code for textile products  
 FZ/T 01053  Textiles: Fibre  content labelling  
 QB/T 2262  Leather industry terms  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
 
 The following terms and definitions apply to the present part of GB 5296.  
 
3.1  
products of consumer interest  
 Products sold  to meet the living needs of members of society.  
 [GB 5296.1 -xxxx Definition 3.2]  
 
3.2  
 instructions for use  
 Information conveyed  to users on how to use products correctly and safely and on product functions, basic 
properties, and characteristics relating to said product s. They are  generally present ed in the form of a user’s manual, 
label, or nameplate. They  can be represented, eith er singly or in combination, through  documents, words , marks, 
symbols, pictures or charts, graphic expressions, or audio or visual information. They  can be used on a product [including: 
instructions on the equipment operating device (keys or buttons) or in structions electronically displayed during 
operation ] or on a package. They  can also be delivered as accompanying documents or materials  (e.g., loose -leaf 
materials, handbooks, audio tapes, video tapes, and optical disks).  
 [GB 5296.1 -xxxx, Definition 3.3]  
 
3.3 
 textiles  
 Products, such as yarn and fabric and products therefrom, that are made by subjecting natural and chemical 
fibres  (the primary raw materials) to the processes of spi nning, weaving, and dyeing or  further sewing and composition 
processes.  
1 GB 5296.4 —200X  
 
3.4 
 apparel  
 Products that are worn to protect and adorn  the human body.  
 [GB/T 15557 -xxxx, Definition 2.2]  
 
3.5 
 permanent label  
 Label permanently attached to a product that can maintain a high level of legibility during use of the prod uct. 
 
4 Basic principles  
 
4.1 Instructions for use are an integral part of the delivered product and shall  comply with the provisions of GB 
5296.1.  
4.2 All information contained in instructions for use shall  be concise, accurate, scientific, and in plain a nd easy -to-
understand language.  
4.3 Instructions for use shall  accurate ly introduce products and shall  not contain exaggerated or false information.  
 
5 Contents of instructions for use  
 
5.1 Name and address of manufacturer  
5.1.1  Textiles and apparel shall  be clearly labelled  with  the legally registered name and address of the legally liable 
manufacturer.  
5.1.2  Imported textiles and apparel shall  be clearly labelled  with  the product’s place of origin (country or region) and 
the legally registered name and ad dress in mainland China of the agent, importer, or vendor.  
5.2 Product name  
5.2.1  Products shall be clearly labelled  with their names, and true product characteristics  shall be clearly indicated.  
5.2.2  If a national or industrial standard includes terms an d definitions relating to a product name, the name 
specified by the national or industrial standard should be  adopted.  
5.2.3  If a national or industrial standard does not include a term or definition relating to a product name, use a name 
that will not con fuse or be misunderstood by consumers.  
5.3 Product sizes  or specifications  
5.3.1  Yarn shall be clearly labelled  with at least one main product specification, e.g. yarn density, length, or weight.  
5.3.2  Fabric shall be clearly labelled  with at least one mai n product specification , e.g. mass per unit area, density, or 
width.  
5.3.3  Products such as bedding, scarves, towels , and curtains shall be clearly labelled  with the main product 
specifications, such as length, width, and weight.  
5.3.4  Apparel -type product s should , in accordance with the GB/T 1335 form of presenting apparel sizes , be clearly 
labelled  with a range of suitable sizes , or apparel size shall be clearly labelled according to one of the forms below:  
 -- Knit apparel may be clearly labelled  with pr oduct length or product circumference.  
 -- Tight -fitting apparel may be clearly labelled  with the suitable height or hip measurements  for wearing the 
product . 
5.3.5  Socks shall be clearly labelled with sock size or a range of suitable sizes . Pantyhose shal l be clearly labelled  with 
a range of suitable height and hip measurements.  
5.3.6  Hat products shall be clearly labelled with the circumference measurement or range of measurements for the 
inner perimeter of the hat.  
5.3.7  Gloves shall be clearly labelled with the suitable palm length and width.  
5.3.8  Other textiles shall , depending on product features,  be clearly labelled with their sizes or specifications.  
5.4 Fibre  composition  and content s 
5.4.1  Products shall, in accordance with the provisions of FZ/T 0 1053, be clearly labelled  with their fibre  composition  
and contents.  
 
2 GB 5296.4 —200X  
 
5.4.2  Leather apparel shall, in accordance with QB/T 2262, be clearly labelled  with the name of the type of leather.  
5.5 Methods of care  
 Products shall present  method s of care  in accordance with the graphic symbols specified in GB/T 8685 . 
Explanatory text corresponding to the graphic symbols may be added. When graphic symbols are insufficient to meet 
needs, instructions may be provided in text form.  
5.6 Effective produ ct standards  
 Products shall be clearly labelled with the effective national, industrial, local, or enterprise product standard 
code s. 
5.7 Safety categories  
 Clearly label the product safety category in accordance with GB 18401.  
5.8 Use and storage precaut ions  
 Products that might be damaged as the result of improper use should be clearl y labelled with use precautions; 
products that have storage requirements should describe storage methods.  
 
6 Forms of instructions for use  
 
6.1 General requirements  
6.1.1  Instructions for use take the following forms:  
 a) Directly printed or woven on product ; 
 b) Permanent label secured to product ; 
 c) Label hanging from product ; 
 d) Label hanging from, adhering to , or secured to product package;  
 e) Directly printed on produ ct package ; 
 f) Information provided with product . 
6.1.2  Instructions for use can take one or more forms. When in multiple forms, ensure the consistenc y of the 
contents.  
6.2 Permanent labels  
6.2.1  Three types of content —sizes or specifications, fibre  compo sition  and contents, and methods of care —require 
permanent labels. Other contents  should take a form other than a permanent label.  
6.2.2  It is not necessary to use a permanent label i f the use of the product would be affected by a permanent label, 
as in th e case of products such as piece goods, yarn, socks, and gloves.  
6.2.3  It is not necessary to use a permanent label if the product is custom -made for a group and is not cared for by an 
individual.  
6.2.4  If consumers cannot easily find the information on th e product permanent label when packaged, displayed, or 
rolled or folded, the information should also be indicated in another form.  
 
7 Position of the instructions for use  
 
7.1 General requirements  
7.1.1  The instructions for use shall be attached to an obvi ous or suitable position on the product or package.  
7.1.2  The instructions for use shall be provided for each single product or for each retail unit.  
7.2 Permanent labels  
7.2.1  A permanent label shall remain permanently attached in an appropriate position to a product throughout the 
product’s service life.  
7.2.2  Permanent labels for apparel fibre  composition  and contents or methods of care may generally be sewn below 
the middle of the left side seam on upper garments. In the case of lower garments, they  may  be sewn  
 
3 GB 5296.4 —200X  
 
along the lower edge of the waistband lining or on the left side skirt seam or pants seam.  
7.2.3  Permanent labels for products such as bedding, towels, or scarves may be sewn onto a product side or corner.  
7.2.4  Permanent label s for products made with special techniques  may be positioned according to need.  
 
8 Other requirements  
 
8.1 Words in instructions for use shall be clear and eye -catching. Graphic symbols shall be intuitive and 
standardi sed. 
8.2 Words used in instructions f or use shall be the standard Chinese characters stipulated  by the state.  Pinyin, the 
written language s of minority nationalit ies, or foreign language s may also be used, but the size of the pinyin or foreign 
characters should be no larger than the correspon ding Chinese characters . 
8.3 Permanent labels shall be made from appropriate materials and remain clear and easy -to-read throughout the 
service life of the product.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 GB 5296.4 —200X  
 
Appendix A  
(Regulatory Appendix)  
Products to which the present part does not a pply  
 
The present part of GB 5296 does not apply to the products  listed below : 
 -- Disposable products ; 
 -- Filling and wrapping material s for cushioned furniture such as seats, sofas, and mattresses ; 
 -- Shoe sol es; 
 -- Decorative pictures and decorative wall hangings ; 
 -- Small decorations such as handicrafts ; 
 -- Umbrellas ; 
 -- Travel bags  and cases ; 
 -- Decorative coverings, ribbons and cords for packaging;  
 -- Suspenders ; 
 -- Nappie s; 
 -- Cloth toys ; 
 -- Texti les for pets ; 
 -- Cleaning cloths ; 
 -- Wall coverings  and screens ; 
 -- Banners and flags ; 
 -- Artificial flowers . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 GB 5296.4 —200X  
 
Appendix B  
(Informational Appendix)  
Assessing  defects in instructions for use  
 
 
 If instruction s for use of a product do not comply with the provisions of chapters 5 through 8 of the present 
part, each instance in the listed contents of non -compliance with the requirements counts as 1 defect and shall count as 
a severe defect in the event of any of the following:  
 --it lacks any item in section 5.1 through 5.7; each missing  item counts as 1 severe defect;  
 --it does not have a permanent label ( except as provided  for in 6.2.2 and 6.2.3);  
 --the permanent label is missing any one of the following: “siz e or specifications ”, “fibre  composition  and 
content s”, or “methods of care ”; 
 --the indicated fibre  composition  and content s do no t comply with the c riteria specified in FZ/T 01053;  
 --the same contents are presented inconsistently  between different forms  of instructions for use for the same 
product.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reference Articles  
[1] GB 5296.1   Instructions for use of articles of consumer interest —Part 1: General principles  
[2] GB/T 15557   Apparel terms  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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