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China Issues Mandatory Product Standard for General Safety Requirements in Footwear – GB 25038-2024

SafeGuardSSoftlinesJuly 10, 2024

SG 110/24

GB 25038-2024 – General safety requirements for footwear – was released on May 28, 2024, and will be officially implemented on June 1, 2025.

On May 28, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China (PRC) issued mandatory product standard GB 25038-2024 – General safety requirements for footwear – which will become effective on June 1, 2025.

GB 25038-2024 replaces and abolishes GB 25038-2010, GB 25037-2010 and GB 21536-2008.

The new version of this document is applicable to footwear products made of various materials, but it is not applicable to protective shoes (boots) and footwear products for children under 14 years old.

Main Technical Changes

This document is an integrated revision of three mandatory national standards: GB 21536-2008 Athletic Shoes, GB 25037-2010 Industrial Rubber Boots and GB 25038-2010 Rubber Shoes Healthy and Safe Specification.

Revisions to GB 25038-2024 include:

  • Scope changes
  • Requirements and testing methods for the formaldehyde
  • Requirements and test methods for the banned azo colorants (AZO)

Additions include:

  • Requirements and test methods for nail tip and broken needle
  • Requirements and test methods for chromium VI
  • Requirements and test methods for dimethyl fumarate (DMFu)
  • Requirements and testing methods for chlorophenol in leather and fur
  • Requirements and testing methods for phthalates
  • Requirements and testing methods for short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP)
  • Appendix B for phthalate list

Deletions include:

  • Requirements and test methods for pH value
  • Requirements and test methods for extractable heavy metals
  • Requirements and test methods for N-nitrosamine
  • Requirements and test methods for colorfastness to rubbing of lining and insock
  • Sampling method
  • Appendix B for N-nitrosamine list

Main technical requirements of GB 25038-2024 <General safety requirements for footwear>

No.ItemTest methodRequirement
1. Nail tip and broken needleGB 25038-2024,5.1 Shoes should be free of nail tips both inside and outside, unless specifically required by style or function, and should not contain any broken needles.
2.Chromium VIGB/T 22807 or
GB/T 38402
Leather, fur ≤10 mg/kg
3.Banned azo colourantsGB/T 17592Textiles ≤20 mg/kg
Synthetic leather ≤30 mg/kg
Banned azo colourantsGB/T 19942Leather, fur ≤30 mg/kg
4.FormaldehydeGB/T 2912.1Textile, synthetic leather:
Direct contact with skin ≤75 mg/kg
Non direct contact with skin ≤300 mg/kg
FormaldehydeGB/T 19941.1 or
GB/T 19941.2
Leather, fur:
Direct contact with skin ≤75 mg/kg
Non direct contact with skin ≤300 mg/kg
5.Dimethyl fumarateGB/T 26713Textile, synthetic leather, leather, fur ≤0.1 mg/kg
6.Chlorinated phenolsGB/T 18414.1Textile, synthetic leather
PCP ≤0.5 mg/kg
2,3,5,6-TeCP ≤0.5 mg/kg
Chlorinated phenolsGB/T 22808Leather, fur
PCP ≤0.5 mg/kg
7.PhthalateGB/T 32440.1Coated (printed) materials, synthetic leather, synthetic materials such as rubber and plastic:
Σ (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP) <0.1%
8.Short chain chlorinated paraffinsGB/T 40263Textile <0.15% 
Short chain chlorinated paraffinsGB/T 38405Synthetic leather, leather, fur <0.15%
Short chain chlorinated paraffinsSN/T 3814Synthetic materials such as rubber and plastic <0.15%

Details of The Technical Content

For more information, please refer to the standard GB 25038-2024 – General safety requirements for footwear – or contact SGS directly.

SGS Global Softlines has an extensive network of over 40 laboratories worldwide, with a strong team of committed professionals from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. Our internationally accredited state-of-the-art testing laboratories offer a comprehensive range of physical, chemical and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. We help your company ensure quality, performance and compliance with international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide. Visit our website, read our brochure or contact us to discover more. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.

© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. This publication or website is a property of SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. All contents including website designs, text, and graphics contained herein are owned by or licensed to SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. The information provided is for technical and general information purposes only and offers no legal advice. The information is no substitute for professional legal advice to ensure compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. All information is provided in good faith “as is”, and SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, and does not warrant that the information will be error-free or meet any particular criteria of performance or quality.

For further information, please contact:

Min Zhu

Dr. Min Zhu

US & Canada Softlines Technical Director - Softlines

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