Baar, Switzerland – SGS will host a complimentary webinar, “China Market Update and 2025 Spot-check Failure Analysis,” taking place on 22 and 23 April 2026.

China remains one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets, but it also enforces some of the strictest product quality supervision systems. With authorities increasing inspections and new and updated GB standards coming into force, textile, apparel and footwear businesses face growing pressure to ensure product accuracy, proper labelling and full compliance with mandatory requirements.

SGS’s expert led webinar will provide a clear, practical overview of the latest developments shaping China’s softlines regulatory landscape. The session will examine the most common noncompliance issues identified through 2025 market spot checks, outline core GB standard obligations and highlight key regulatory and standards updates that companies should prepare for. Presenters Sicy Chen and Debbie Hodgson will also share insights into typical failure patterns, challenges in global supply chains and tools available to reduce compliance risk.

Attendees will learn how SGS solutions can help brands, retailers and manufacturers meet China’s requirements, prevent costly market-entry delays and strengthen product credibility in this highly regulated market.

This webinar is ideal for softlines brands, retailers, manufacturers, quality professionals and compliance managers working with or targeting the Chinese market.

Interested parties should register now for more information. 

Pinetown, KZN, SA – BBF Safety Group (Pty) Ltd has appointed Ndlela Mazibuko as MD, effective 01 November 2025. He will work alongside the BBF Safety Group CEO, Brian Kuhnert, together with the Beier Group CEO, Warren Sachs, “in growing the customer centric focus of the business”, according to a release. 

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Fashion group Dangee Carken is launching a PPE division.

An initial range of imported safety footwear and locally made workwear, branded GrittGear, will launch in October.

Director Robby Stoller said the group had been working on the project for over 6 months. He said an industry specialist would be joining.

He said the intention was that over time, the division would cover the full spectrum of PPE. A website, www.grittgear.co.za, has been set up. 

The application to resurrect 4Tify Africa – formerly North Safety – and other subsidiaries of African Boomerang Holdings, was withdrawn following the death in March of former CEO Craig Garvie, attorney Kobus van Niekerk, of JI van Niekerk Inc., has confirmed.

“The business rescue applications were withdrawn,” he wrote. “The liquidations will thus proceed.” 

Umhlanga, KZN, SA – An investigation by SAFLIA has shown that online retailer Temu, which officially launched in South Africa on 17 January, is selling non-compliant safety footwear in SA. SAFLIA signed up to the site and ordered a style labelled as ‘Men's Summer Mesh Steel Toe Shoes Breathable Work Safety Shoes Industrial Construction Sneakers Walking’ for which it paid R679, including 30% import duty, marked down from R1129.

All safety footwear in SA must be approved by the National Retailer for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) as being compliant with the safety standard ISO 20345 and its SA equivalent, SANS 20345. Each approved style is issued with a number which must be permanently attached to the shoe.

In terms of separate country of origin legislation, all imported footwear must have the country of origin permanently attached to the shoe. The ‘made in China’ information on the shoes was on the same adhesive – i.e. impermanent – sticker identifying the materials used – in this case, rubber or plastic and textile upper, rubber or plastic lining and sock, and rubber or plastic sole.

The NRCS was approached for comment on Friday, and this morning replied: “This communication serves to inform you that proper investigation into the matter below will be done. As the CMM department we wish to extend our appreciation for your assistance in making sure that the market is removing the non-compliant commodities and that everyone in the industry complies to the rules and regulations.”

Temu was approached for comment via its customer service site. It responded that it has a legal team that checked legal requirements in all markets it served.

“Temu has bypassed the whole NRCS system,” SAFLIA executive director Jirka Vymĕtal said on Friday. “This product should have been stopped by Customs. The NRCS has to act to stop it.

“Frankly, the safety footwear being offered by Temu is a threat to the entire safety footwear industry in SA, importers as well as manufacturers. Compliant safety footwear suppliers have to fund the cost of compliance.”

He said the application of duties on the shoes was also being investigated by SAFLIA.

Note: This is an ongoing article.