leather testing standards: Stunning Compliance Guide

The only mandatory safety standard (all leather must meet it)

GB 20400-2006 Leather and Fur – Limits of hazardous substances

• Azo dye is prohibited≤ 30 mg/kg
• Formaldehyde: Direct skin ≤ 75mg/kg, indirect ≤ 300mg/kg
• Hexavalent chromium: must not be detected
• Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic are limited

National Standard for Finished Leather (by Use)

• GB/T 42167-2022 Leather for Garments
• GB/T 16796-2019 Leather uppers
• GB/T 16799-2008 Leather for furniture
• GB/T 45708-2025 Leather for gloves
• GB/T 38295-2019 Shoes bottom leather
• GB/T 16797-2008 clothing leather

Raw materials / Blue wet leather national standard

• GB/T 22884-2024 Cow Blue Wet Leather
• GB/T 22883-2025 Sheep Blue-Wet Leather (Effective 2026-05-01)
• GB/T 22887-2025 Goat Blue Wet Leather (Effective 2026-05-01)
• GB/T 45368-2025 Specification for Packaging of Blue-Wet Leather

National Standard for Core Testing Methods (Mandatory)

Physical mechanics

• GB/T 4682.1-2021 Thickness
• GB/T 46469-2025 Tensile strength / Elongation
• GB/T 45711.1/2-2025 Tear Force (Single-sided / Double-sided)
• GB/T 46468-2025 Flexibustness
• QB/T 2726-2019 Wear Resistance (Martindale)
• GB/T 4682.13-2021 Breathability
• GB/T 4682.14-2021 Permeable vapor

Color Firmness

• GB/T 22886-2008 Friction Resistant (Dry / Wet)
• GB/T 22888-2008 Sweat resistant
• GB/T 22889-2008 Washable
• GB/T 8427-2019 Lightfast
• GB/T 46470-2025 Migration Resistance (to PVC/PU)

Chemical safety

• GB/T 19941-2005 Formaldehyde
• GB/T 19942-2005 Prohibits the use of azo dyes
• GB/T 29292-2024 Hexavalent Chromium
• GB/T 33390-2016 Heavy Metals
• GB/T 7573-2019 pH value
• GB/T 22808-2022 Pentachlorophenol
• GB/T 29497-2023 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Light Industry Industry Standards (QB/T, commonly used products)

• QB/T 1333-2018 Backpack
• QB/T 2673-2013 Leather apparel
• QB/T 4196-2011 Automotive leather
• QB/T 4204-2023 Leather Cooling Mat
• QB/T 4507-2022 Odor Evaluation
• QB/T 5248-2018 VOC determination

Common international export standards

• ISO 17131 Tensile strength
• ISO 17236 Friction Color Fastness
• ISO 17075 hexavalent chromium
• ISO 17072 Formaldehyde
• EN ISO Series (EU equivalent)
• REACH Regulation (EU Environmental Protection)
• OEKO-TEX LEATHER STANDARD (Environmental Certification)

Minimalist Memorization

1. Security mandatory: GB 20400
2. clothing leather: GB/T 42167
3. Leather: GB/T 16796
4. furniture leather: GB/T 16799
5. Thickness: GB/T 4682.1
6. Tensile strength: GB/T 46469
7. Tear: GB/T 45711
8. Fold resistance: GB/T 46468
9. Wet and dry wiping: GB/T 22886
10. Formaldehyde / Azo / Hexavalent Chromium: GB/T 19941, 19942, 29292