Effective June 1, 2025, two new mandatory Chinese standards officially redefine safety requirements for footwear. These updates affect both general footwear and those intended for infants and children. The regulatory changes will have a direct impact on all stakeholders in the footwear supply chain: manufacturers, importers, and distributors, operating in the Chinese market.
GB 25038-2024 – General safety requirements for footwear
Published on May 28, 2024, by the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), GB 25038-2024 replaces and consolidates three previous standards: GB 21536-2008, GB 25037-2010, and GB 25038-2010.
It applies to all types of footwear, regardless of the material used or their intended application.
Key technical requirements
The standard outlines general requirements for:
- Classification of footwear based on material and intended use
- Physical and mechanical performance, including flex resistance, sole-upper adhesion, seam strength, and color fastness
- Limits on hazardous chemical substances, including:
- Formaldehyde
- Phthalates (≤ 0.1%)
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium VI)
- Aromatic amines derived from banned azo dyes
GB 30585-2024 – Safety requirements for children’s and infants’ footwear
Also published on May 28, 2024, by SAC and SAMR and effective from June 1, 2025, GB 30585-2024 replaces the previous version, GB 30585-2014.
It applies to footwear made from a variety of materials, designed for children and infants up to 14 years of age (inclusive).
Major updates and revisions
Compared to the previous version, GB 30585-2024 introduces several significant changes, including:
- Revised scope of application and updated definitions
- Removal of requirements related to steel hooks and odor testing
- Introduction of a new chapter on small accessories for children’s and infants’ footwear
- Revised chemical limits and corresponding test methods
- Addition of specific mechanical safety requirements, such as the absence of broken needles, accessible sharp edges, and a maximum allowable heel height of 25 mm
Key chemical limits
- Formaldehyde: ≤ 20 mg/kg for infant footwear, ≤ 75 mg/kg for materials in direct skin contact
- Chromium VI (leather and fur): ≤ 3 mg/kg
- Lead: ≤ 90 mg/kg
- Phthalates: < 0.1%
- SCCP (Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins): < 0.15%
- PCP, TeCP, DMFu, nitrosamines, and azo dyes: subject to stringent restrictions
What companies must do to comply
With the enforcement of GB 25038-2024 and GB 30585-2024, companies must:
- Verify the chemical and mechanical compliance of both materials and finished products
- Update technical documentation, product labels, and declarations of conformity
- Conduct laboratory testing in accordance with the specified GB methods
Why timely action is essential
For companies exporting to or producing for the Chinese market, it is critical to initiate the compliance process as early as possible. This involves not only technical and documentary review of the products but also strategic planning for testing activities and supplier oversight throughout the supply chain.
How our laboratory can support you
Our laboratory supports companies throughout every phase of technical and regulatory alignment with the new GB standards, providing a complete and specialized service offering.
Specifically, we provide:
- Compliance testing for chemical limits under GB 25038-2024 and GB 30585-2024
- Physical and mechanical testing on finished footwear and components, according to GB methods
- Regulatory consulting and expert interpretation of the standards’ technical requirements
Every new standard brings both challenges and opportunities.
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