Eurofins Softlines & Leather Monthly Bulletin (March 2026)
EU JRC publishes a methodology for digital product passport data requirements
On 19 March 2026, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) released a new publication titled “Methodology for defining data requirements for the Digital Product Passport under the ESPR framework”, which provides a practical framework for the rollout of the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) system. The report (JRC145830) delivers the first official, comprehensive process for determining which data must be included in Digital Product Passports for all product groups regulated under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
The JRC report fills a crucial gap by formally defining how data is selected for inclusion in each product‑specific delegated act.
These aspects will inform future Commission implementing acts as the EU moves toward a fully interoperable, secure, and auditable DPP ecosystem.
With this publication, the European Commission moves one step closer to operationalising one of the EU Green Deal’s most ambitious instruments. The DPP is widely expected to transform product transparency, empower circular‑economy business models, and increase compliance expectations across global supply chains.
Publications on European Commission initiatives
On 6 March 2026, a new report was published on the EU Textiles Ecosystem Platform which highlights that while textile recycling is increasingly promoted as a cornerstone of Europe’s circular economy, it also introduces significant social, environmental, and governance risks that companies can no longer afford to overlook.
The publication, developed in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD), urges businesses across the garment and footwear sector to extend responsible business conduct (RBC) due diligence to recycling processes, an area traditionally seen as environmentally beneficial but now revealed to hold complex vulnerabilities.
For more information, consult the EU Textiles Ecosystem Platform website here.
Standard update for consumer products
In 2026, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology approved 453 industry standards, and the State Administration for Market Regulation (National Administration for Standardisation) approved 721 recommended national standards.
The main standard related to textiles is:
|
No. |
Standard Code |
Standard name |
Applicable Scope |
Into force |
Replaced |
|
Textile |
|||||
|
1 |
QB/T 8194-2026 |
Leather and fur caps |
This document specifies technical requirements for leather and fur caps, including specifications, raw materials, appearance and stitching quality, material composition, odour, and physical and chemical properties. It describes the corresponding test methods and sets forth provisions regarding inspection procedures, labelling, packaging, transportation, and storage. This document applies to the production, inspection, and sale of hat products made primarily from leather, fur, or double face. |
2026-09-01 |
- |
World trade notifications related to textiles
The table below summarises recent World Trade notifications related to textiles:
|
Date |
Reference |
Title |
|
09/03/2026 |
(Ecuador) |
Amendment to the mandatory phytosanitary requirements for the importation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibre, not carded or combed, for industry, from Argentina) The notified text amends the mandatory phytosanitary requirements for the importation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibre, not carded or combed, for industry, from Argentina. |
Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source: “Safety Gate (RAPEX)”) and the U.S. (Source “CPSC”).
Safety Gate (RAPEX) (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).
The following 9 alerts regarding toys, childcare articles and children's equipment products were reported between week 08 and week 11 of 2026.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
|
Chemical |
2 |
Children's sandals The plastic material of the product has an excessive concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The product does not comply with the REACH Regulation. |
|
1 |
Make-up case The plastic material of the toy has an excessive concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The product does not comply with the REACH Regulation. |
|
|
1 |
Children’s sandals The plastic material of the product has an excessive concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The product does not comply with the REACH Regulation. |
|
|
1 |
Handbag The plastic material of the product has an excessive concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The product does not comply with the REACH Regulation. |
|
|
1 |
Toiletry bag The plastic material of the product has an excessive concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The product does not comply with the REACH Regulation. |
|
|
Chemical, Environment |
1 |
Wallet The plastic window inside the wallet contains excessive amounts of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). In addition, the plastic inside the wallet contains an excessive amount of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). The product does not comply with the REACH Regulation nor with the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) Regulation. |
|
1 |
Jacket The product contains PFAS (man-made forever chemicals). The product does not comply with the REACH Regulation. |
|
|
Choking |
1 |
Socks The toy has small parts (grip dots) that can easily detach. Small children may put them in their mouths. The product does not comply with the General Product Safety Regulation. |
United States
From the 12 March of 2026 to the 2 April of 2026, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls:
1 recall regarding toys and childcare products
|
Hazard |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
|
Burn |
1 |
Pajama sets The recalled pajama sets violate the mandatory standards for flammability of children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children. |