On 31 March 2026, China published GB 20400-2026 – Safety Technical Specification for Leather and Fur Products, which will enter into force on 1 April 2027 and will fully repeal the previous GB 20400-2006.
The standard defines terms and definitions, product classifications, chemical requirements, test methods and evaluation criteria for the safety of leather and fur products. It applies to all types of leather and fur products and their accessible parts, including recycled leather, which was not covered by the 2006 version.
What Changes Compared to GB 20400-2006
Many of these substances may originate from different stages of the production cycle: tanning, dyeing, finishing, coating, adhesives, plasticisers or the use of recycled materials. Compliance cannot be managed through final product testing alone it requires a structured assessment of materials and suppliers throughout the entire supply chain.
Product Classification
The standard classifies products into three categories based on intended use, with progressively stricter chemical requirements.
| Class | ||
| Products in direct contact with the user’s skin | ||
The sectors most affected are footwear, leather goods, leather and fur garments, glove manufacturing, and the entire fashion and luxury segment with multi-component products. It is worth noting that the standard also applies when leather is not the primary material of the product: the mere presence of accessible parts made of leather, fur or recycled leather is sufficient to fall within its scope.
Timelines and Transitional Period
The transitional period should not be interpreted as an operational postponement. Companies exporting to China should already be taking action now: correctly classifying their products by risk category, verifying regulated substances in the materials used across the supply chain, and building robust technical documentation updated laboratory reports, material datasheets, supplier declarations and acceptance criteria revised in light of the new standard.