New Chinese Footwear National Standard for Green Product Evaluation Released

Geneva (March 19, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 038.25, highlighting the release of GB/T 44867-2024, a new national standard for evaluating the green attributes of footwear products in China.

Issued on November 28, 2024, by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China, the new standard will come into effect on June 1, 2025. It focuses on assessing the green characteristics of various footwear products.

 

SGS experts regularly publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 038.25 includes a helpful table which gives an overview of the key assessment requirements in GB/T 44867-2024.

 

Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 038.25 for more details.

 

SGS softlines services
SGS has a worldwide network of over 40 state-of-the-art laboratories, including 10 in China, specializing in the testing of apparel, footwear, and home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, allowing them to conduct a comprehensive range of physical, chemical, and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance, and compliance with international, industrial, and regulatory standards worldwide. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s softlines services.

 

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full China Releases National Standard for Green Product Evaluation of Footwear Products – GB/T 44867-2024 SafeGuardS.

 

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

 

For further information contact:

 

Dr. Min Zhu
Senior Director, Technical Services and Operations
Softlines, US and Canada
Tel: +1 (97) 346-11230
Website: http://www.sgs.com/softlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

 

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

 

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

 

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH0002497458, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

SGS gains SCDF accreditation to accelerate Singaporean market entry in fire safety enterprises

Geneva (March 20, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has been officially recognized by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) as an accredited Certification Body. This groundbreaking achievement allows SGS to issue SCDF-certified Certificates of Conformity (CoC) for fire safety products exported to Singapore, removing regulatory barriers and accelerating market entry for enterprises expanding into Singapore and Southeast Asia.

Singapore, a critical hub for Southeast Asian markets, enforced some of the most stringent quality and safety standards in the region for critical fire safety products, including fire-resistant building materials and advanced fire protection components. The SCDF, a key regulatory body under the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs, oversees fire safety design approval and compliance for construction projects. SGS’s SCDF accreditation cements its role as a leading compliance partner, empowering businesses to navigate Singapore’s challenging certification landscape and seamlessly expand into major regional markets, like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

As Singapore accelerates its ‘Net Zero by 2050’ vision, demand for fire safety solutions in renewable energy, energy storage and sustainable infrastructure is surging. At the same time, Southeast Asian nations are implementing transformative digital policies, fueling unprecedented investments in data infrastructure and clean energy projects. SGS’s SCDF certification services provide clients with tailored, future-ready fire safety compliance solutions, giving them a distinct competitive edge in these rapidly growing sectors.

SGS has established a best-in-class, end-to-end certification framework that integrates localized testing in China with fast-tracked certification issuance in Singapore. This highly efficient approach reduces certification timelines and costs, allowing enterprises – particularly those in renewable energy and energy storage – to achieve compliance and seize market opportunities with confidence and agility.

Through its global network of state-of-the-art testing facilities, SGS helps clients to have a better understanding SCDF compliance requirements, optimizing efficiency across R&D, manufacturing and quality control processes.

Besides SCDF accreditation, SGS holds other prestigious certifications from top-tier regulatory bodies, including those in North America, the EU and Hong Kong (HOKLAS), providing compliance solutions for internationally recognized standards such as EN and BS across critical industries like building materials, renewable energy and transportation.

For further information, please contact: 

Alex Mao
Country Manager, Fire Technology Service
Connectivity & Products
Tel: +86 186 0179 5270

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH0002497458, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

France Issues Ban on PFAS in Consumer Products

 

Geneva (March 20, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 040.25, highlighting France’s prohibition of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetics, textiles and ski waxes.

 

PFAS are widely used for their water, grease and oil-resistant properties, but many have been found to cause health and environmental concerns due to their toxicity and  bioaccumulative characteristics.

 

Law No. 2025-188 (1) was enacted on February 27, 2025, making France the second European country after Denmark to ban PFAS in certain goods. The production, import, export and market placement of them will be prohibited from January 2026.

 

Certain exceptions to the ban for some industrial textiles and products considered essential for critical applications are allowed for in Law 2025-188 (1), ahead of a ban in PFAS in all textile products, unless they are necessary for essential uses, by 2030.

 

PFAS monitoring in drinking water and financial penalties on industrial polluters are also strengthened in the new law, as part of France’s broader effort to reduce the negative impact of PFAS on health and the environment.

 

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 040.25 includes further information on the scope of the new legislation and its effective timeline, as well as its significance under the wider context of proposed EU-wide PFAS restrictions.

 

Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 040.25 for more details.

 

SGS consumer product services
SGS provides news about the development of regulations affecting consumer products as a complimentary service. With an unrivaled global network of laboratories, they offer physical/mechanical testing, analytical testing and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s consumer product services.

 

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full France Bans PFAS on Consumer Products SafeGuardS.

 

Subscribe today and receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

 

For further information contact:

 

Dr. Min Zhu
Senior Director, Technical Services and Operations
Softlines, US and Canada
Tel: +1 (97) 346-11230
Website: http://www.sgs.com/softlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

 

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

 

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

 

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker s

SGS hosts free webinar for PPE businesses looking for long term success

Geneva (March 7, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is proud to host a complimentary webinar, ‘Discovering PPE softlines solutions’, on March 27, 2025.

 

The global market for personal protective equipment (PPE) is expanding, but it is also becoming more regulated. Businesses looking to ensure product compliance face challenges in market access, with financial penalties and potential delays resulting from product noncompliance.

 

This expert-led webinar will provide a comprehensive exploration of global markets, industry trends and product ranges for PPE, with detailed information on SGS’s product conformity solutions and an opportunity to quiz the experts.

 

Whether used for work or leisure, PPE must meet the highest standards for safety and performance. Companies partnering with independent third-party expertise can benefit from the assurance of trust and tailor-made services.

 

This webinar will be of interest to manufacturers, distributors and end-users of PPE.

 

Register now

 

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

 

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

 

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH0002497458, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

SGS hosts webinar on sustainability trends and solutions in the EE industry

Geneva (March 10, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is delighted to announce a free webinar, ‘Sustainability trends and solutions in the E&E industry’, on March 31, 2025.

 

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is one of the EU’s key ecostandards, introducing new rules for product conformity which are significantly impacting electrical and electronic (E&E) businesses. This new regulatory landscape aims to change the product life cycle paradigm, affecting design, manufacture and retail processes.

 

Sustainability trends in the E&E sector are explored in this complimentary webinar, including a guide to understanding the ESPR and the business opportunities driven by the shift towards a circular economy.

 

This webinar is led by SGS carbon-management expert Dr Mingjie Zhu and provides compliance solutions for regulatory requirements. Leveraging SGS’s experience allows companies to reduce their environmental impact while ensuring conformity with product standards.

 

This event is designed for manufacturers, importers, retailers and other stakeholders in the E&E product supply chain for EU markets.

 

Register now

 

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

 

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

 

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH0002497458, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).