GB 20400-2026Safety technical specification for leather and fur products (English PDF)

1 Scope

GB 20400-2026 is the Chinese national standard covering what may not be in a leather or fur product sold in China - the free formaldehyde, the chromium VI, the azo dyes that release banned amines, the pentachlorophenol and the other restricted substances, with the limits for each. A mandatory standard. It replaces GB 20400-2006 and takes effect on 1 April 2027, and the analytical methods GB/T 22931-2026 and GB/T 47712-2026 were revised alongside it. It was issued on 31 March 2026 and takes effect on 1 April 2027, replacing GB 20400-2006. The document is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. This page is published from the official record of the 2026 edition; the clause text of a standard this recent is not yet in circulation, and the figures, limits and tables it contains are those of the document itself, delivered in full with the English translation.

This document defines terms and definitions regarding the safety of leather and fur products and classifies the products. It specifies product categories for the purpose of technical requirements. It establishes limit requirements for decomposable carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes, formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, chlorophenols, phthalate plasticizers, total heavy metals, and dimethyl fumarate. It outlines criteria for product conformity assessment and labeling. It also describes the corresponding test methods. This document applies to the accessible leather and fur components of leather and fur products and related articles intended for daily use. It also applies to the recycled leather components of recycled leather products and related articles. This document does not apply to leather for special industrial use, fur, recycled leather products, or articles made therefrom. Annex A provides a list of products and articles subject to the specifications of this document.

2 Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

GB/T 19941.1, Leather and fur -- Determination of formaldehyde content -- Part 1. High-performance liquid chromatography method

GB/T 19941.2, Leather and fur -- Determination of formaldehyde content -- Part 2. Colorimetric method

GB/T 19942, Leather and fur-Chemical tests -- Determination of banned azo colourants

GB/T 22807, Leather and fur -- Chemical tests -- Determination of chromium VI content

GB/T 22808, Leather and fur -- Chemical tests -- Determination of chlorinated phenols content

GB/T 22889, Leather -- Physical and mechanical tests -- Determination of surface coating thickness

GB/T 22930.2, Leather and fur -- Chemical determination of metal content -- Part

3 Terms and definitions

The terms and definitions defined in QB/T 1261 and QB/T 2262, as well as the following terms and definitions, apply to this document.

3.1 leather and fur products for infants Leather and fur products worn or used by infants and young children aged 36 months or younger.

3.2 leather and fur products with direct contact to skin Leather and fur products where the majority of the surface area comes into direct contact with human skin during wear or use.

3.3 leather and fur products without direct contact to skin Leather and fur products that do not come into direct contact with human skin, or have only a small surface area in direct contact with human skin, during wear or use.

3.4 accessible Extend an articulated accessible probe to the part or component of the leather or fur product being tested; the condition is met if any part of the probe forward of its shoulder can make contact with that part or component. [Source: GB 6675.2-2014, 5.7.1, modified]

3.5 recycled leather A leather-like sheet or board material produced by physically or chemically pulverizing or breaking down tanned leather into small pieces, granules, powder, or fibers, and using these as the primary raw material through processes such as compression molding, adhesive bonding, lamination, flocking, or needle-punching.

4 Product classification

Based on the end-use of the products, they are classified into the following three categories. - leather and fur products for infants; - leather and fur products with direct contact to skin; - leather and fur products without direct contact to skin.

5 Technical requirements

Safety technical requirements for leather and fur products are classified into Categories A, B, and C based on the level of requirements, and shall comply with the provisions of Table 1. Leather and fur products for infants shall comply with Category A requirements. Leather and fur products with direct contact to skin shall comply with at least Category B requirements. Leather and fur products without direct contact to skin shall comply with at least Category C requirements. Table 1 -- Safety technical requirements for leather and fur products Table 1 -- Safety technical requirements for leather and fur products (continued)

6 Test methods

6.1 Preparation and conditioning of test specimens For test specimens containing attached lining fabric, the lining must be completely removed before testing. If the lining cannot be removed, this must be noted in the report. Prior to testing, specimens shall be conditioned in accordance with QB/T 2707 or QB/T 1266.Conditioning is not required when results are based on the oven-dry mass of the specimen.

6.2 Dyes capable of releasing carcinogenic aromatic amines Conduct the inspection in accordance with GB/T 19942.

6.3 Formaldehyde Inspection shall be conducted in accordance with GB/T 19941.1 or GB/T 19941.2.In the event of a dispute or arbitration inspection, the test results obtained under GB/T 19941.1 shall prevail.

6.4 Hexavalent chromium Inspection shall be conducted in accordance with GB/T 22807 or GB/T 38402.In the event of a dispute or arbitration inspection, the test results obtained under GB/T 38402 shall prevail.

6.5 Short-chain chlorinated paraffins Conduct the inspection in accordance with the provisions of GB/T 38405.

6.6 Chlorophenols Conduct the inspection in accordance with the provisions of GB/T 22808.

6.7 Phthalate plasticizers Conduct the inspection in accordance with the provisions of GB/T 22931. Where necessary, the thickness of the surface coating or film shall be determined in accordance with GB/T 22889.

6.8 Heavy metals Conduct the inspection in accordance with the provisions of GB/T 22930.2.

6.9 Dimethyl fumarate Conduct the inspection in accordance with the provisions of GB/T 26702.

7 Determination

The determination is made in accordance with Chapter 5 based on the classification of leather and fur products. If all test results meet the requirements of Chapter 5, the sample is deemed qualified; otherwise, it is deemed unqualified.