GIS Inspection(General Inspection Service) is a third-party quality inspection agency in Asia. We offer quality control inspection for apparel and garment.
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Apparel and Garment Quality Control Inspection
Apparel and garment quality control inspection is a crucial step in the manufacturing and distribution of textile products encompasses a wide range of clothing items, including underwear, shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, and accessories like hats, scarves, and belts.
Apparel and textile play an essential role in consumers’ everyday lives, designed to ensure that the items meet the required quality standards and safety regulations.
Apparel quality assurance involves a comprehensive and detailed check of various aspects of the garment to identify any defects or issues that need to be resolved before the shipment. Conducting apparel and garment inspections enable you to hold your suppliers accountable and uphold a good brand reputation.
GIS Inspection can support all your clothing quality inspection services.
The Importance of Apparel and Garment Inspection
It is the key step for manufacturing and supply chain process, ensuring that you clothing products meet quality, safety, and compliance standards. This process not only safeguards a brand’s reputation but also contributes to customer satisfaction and long-term business success. Below are some key reasons why third-party garment inspection is important:
1. Ensures Product Quality
Apparel inspection verifies that garments meet specified standards for design, material, construction, and functionality.
2. Protects Brand Reputation
Third-party inspection helps maintain Apparel Brand’s by preventing the release of defect products that could damage trust and ensuring compliance with market standards to safeguard reputation.
3. Improves Operational Efficiency
Apparel inspection conducted at various stages of production enables early problem identification, reducing costs and delays by minimizing rework and providing feedback for process improvement.
4. Ensures Compliance with Safety Standards
The final inspection in garment industry ensures compliance with safety regulations, particularly in industries such as children's clothing, by focusing on designs that are free from hazards and meeting international standards like REACH and CPSIA.
Regulations and Standards for Apparel and Garment Quality Control
Apparel quality control inspection is virtual to ensure that products meet the necessary standards, providing customers with safety garment. These standards cover a wide range of aspects, including material specifications, safety requirements, and performance testing to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
Adhering to these standards ensures that apparel products are safe, reliable, and compliant with industry best practices. Manufacturers, brands, and importers who prioritize apparel quality control based on these applicable standards can offer products that meet customer expectations, enhance brand reputation, and contribute to a positive and trustworthy market presence.
Apparel Compliance Requirements in the US
All clothing must comply with the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles, 16 CFR part 1610. Manufacturers and importers must certify clothing as compliant in a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) (for adult or general-use apparel) or in a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) (for children’s apparel primarily intended for children 12 and under).
Adult Apparel
- GCC
- Must meet Clothing Textile (or Vinyl Plastic Film) requirements.
- Children’s Apparel
- CPC and third party testing by a CPSC-accepted laboratory
- Clothing Textile (or Vinyl Plastic Film)
- Lead content (zippers, buttons)
- Lead in paint or surface coating (screen printing)
- Phthalate (bibs)
- Tracking label
- Drawstring; does not require certification, but standard must be met.
Apparel Regulations and Standards in the EU
If you want to export apparel to the European market, you need to comply with several requirements. There are many legal requirements for exporting apparel to Europe, including those concerning product safety, the use of chemicals (REACH), quality and labelling.
● General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR): The General Product Safety Regulation covers consumer products and mandates that “only” safe products can be placed on the EU market. Harmonised standards that are relevant to textile products:
a. EN 14682 – Safety of children’s clothing – Cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing – Specifications.
b. EN 13209-1 – Child use and care articles – Baby carriers – Safety requirements and test methods – Part 1: Framed back carriers
c. EN 13209-2 – Child use and care articles – Baby carriers – Safety requirements and test methods – Part 2: Soft carrier
● REACH: REACH regulates harmful chemical substances in consumer products, including clothing and textiles.
Note that there exist voluntary standards:
EN 13402, which covers the size designation of clothes; and
ISO 3758, which covers textile care labelling
● Other standards: Children’s clothing EN standards
a. EN 17394 Safety of children’s clothing – Security of attachment of buttons – Test method
b. EN 14878 Textiles – Burning behavior of children’s nightwear – Specification
c. EN 17394– Textiles and Textile Products:-Safety of children’s clothing – Security of attachment
Want to know EU fashion legislation compliant, learn more: EU Country-Specific Fashion & Textile Regulations in 2024
Types of Third-party Apparel Quality Control Inspection Service
Different types of inspections are performed at various stages of the textile and clothing manufacturing process. These include:
Pre-Production Inspection(PPI): A on-site check on the fabric, workmanship, size, labels, and quality of clothing at the beginning or even before of production, against the clients’ specifications, technical drawings and golden sample.
During Production Inspection (DUPRO): A check on the dimensions of components, quality of materials and finished products during gamrment industry manufacturing to identify issues early.
Pre-Shipment Inspection(PSI): PSI also called Final Random Inspection (FRI) -A detailed visual and final inspection in garment industry on randomly selected finished clothing products. It takes place when the merchandise is completed, packed and ready for shipment. The quantity, workmanship, function, color, size specifications safety test, and packing details are verified to ensure that the contract specifications are met.
Loading Supervision (LS): Generally conducted at the factory or port to verify count, confirm load and seal container prior to the container being sealed for export.
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Essential Apparel and Garment Inspection Checklists during an Onsite Inspection
A comprehensive clothing PSI checklist is essential to ensure that all aspects of the product are inspected thoroughly. Here are some key areas to include in GIS quality assurance PSI checklist:
1. Quantity
GIS inspectors count products and shipping cartons to verify that the correct quantity of an order has been finished which including PO quantity, shipment quantity, packed quantity, unpacked quantity, and unfinished quantity.
2. Workmanship
The inspector will select a sample size according to the statistical sampling procedure ISO 2859-1, and conduct a visual check for any damages and flaws in workmanship and classify them as major, minor, or critical defects.
3. Product Description
GIS Inspection will verify that the products conform to the specifications against PO, photos, and sample.
4. On-site Check
The selected sample will undergo rigorous testing to ensure that it functions properly and meets safety standards. The essential tests performed by our inspectors during an onsite inspection of garments and apparel:
- Drop test
- Assortment check
- Metal detection
- Color shade check
- Function check
- Reliability test for Zipper/button/snap or any other functional component
- GSM test per fabric type
- Product size / Weight measurement
- Tape test on printed label
- Fitting check
- Barcode readability check
- Tension test
- Odor check
5. Packaging
GIS inspectors will check the packing method and packing information to ensure that everything is accurate and safe for transportation. Inner and outer packaging are inspected to ensure that they meet client specifications, with results provided in the report.
Check a Sample Report for Apparel and Garment Inspection
GIS Inspection for you Apparel and Garment Quality Control
GIS Inspection(General Inspection Service) is an international third-party quality control inspection company in China. GIS provides comprehensive quality control designed to protect you supply chain safety. We have set up an inspection network covering China, Vietnam, Malaysia, India.
GIS only employs full-time inspectors. Our highly trained and experienced apparel and textile inspectors are product experts who receive regular training in their field of specialization.
Wer offer Pre-Production Inspection(PPI), During Production Inspection (DUPRO) or Garment Full Inspection services, and before delivery inspection to assess textile and apparel products Pre-shipment Inspection(PPI).
GIS product inspection services ensure that your products match your desired specifications. Contact our garments and apparel quality assurance experts to customize your inspection requirements.