In the garment industry, whether you are a manufacturer, importer, or brand, you must understand the importance of quality control in this business. This industry shifts swiftly, and any time lost in shipment or defect fixings can lead to unimaginable losses. Moreover, quality issues can quickly disseminate in the digital age, giving competitors an advantage. Therefore, quality control is essential, and quality inspection is the most commonly used method. In this post, we will guide you through the steps of a garment quality inspection, the key checkpoints to focus on, and how can C&Z expertise support your garment quality control.
C&Z Material & Accessory Inspection Checklist
For Fabrics, Trims, Hardware, and Leather
Category | Inspection Item | Standard Requirements | Inspection Method | Pass/Fail Criteria | Notes |
1. Physical Properties | Fabric weight (GSM/g/m²) | Match technical specifications ±5%. | Digital scale measurement. | ||
Tensile strength (warp/weft direction) | ≥[X] N/5cm (ASTM D5035). | Tensile tester. | |||
Elongation at break (stretch fabrics) | ≥[X]% (ASTM D5035). | Tensile tester. | |||
Colorfastness to washing, light, and rubbing | Grade ≥4 (AATCC 61, ISO 105-B02, AATCC 8). | Lab testing. | |||
Dimensional stability (shrinkage after washing) | ≤3% (AATCC 135). | Lab washing simulation. | |||
2. Chemical Safety | Harmful substances (azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals) | Compliance with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, REACH, or CPSIA. | HPLC, UV spectrometry, or XRF analysis. | No detectable levels of restricted chemicals. | |
Flame retardancy (apparel, home textiles) | Compliance with CFR 1633, EN 1021, or TB 117. | Vertical/horizontal flame test. | |||
3. Material Compliance | Fiber composition (cotton, polyester, etc.) | Match stated composition ±2%. | Microscopy or DNA testing (for animal-derived fibers). | ||
Leather quality (grain, thickness, finish) | LWG (Leather Working Group) grade ≥Silver. | Visual inspection and caliper measurement. | |||
Trim & hardware specifications (zippers, buttons, labels) | Match design drawings (e.g., YKK zipper model [X]). | Visual and functional testing. | |||
4. Sustainability | Organic material certification (cotton, linen) | GOTS or OCIA certification. | Review certificates and supply chain traceability. | ||
Recycled content (polyester, plastic) | GRS or RCS certification. | Lab testing for recycled fiber content. | |||
Eco-friendly dyes and finishes | Compliance with bluesign® or ZDHC MRSL. | Review chemical management records. | |||
5. Supplier Compliance | Ethical sourcing (no forced labor, child labor) | SA8000 or SMETA audit compliance. | Worker interviews and factory audit reports. | ||
Social responsibility (fair wages, working hours) | Compliance with local labor laws and brand codes of conduct. | Payroll records and timecard analysis. | |||
6. Appearance & Function | Fabric defects (pilling, stains, holes) | ≤2 minor defects/m² (AQL 2.5). | Visual inspection under 6000K lighting. | ||
Trim functionality (zipper smoothness, button durability) | 10-cycle open/close test with no malfunction. | Manual testing. | |||
Label accuracy (material content, care instructions) | Clear, legible, and compliant with local regulations (e.g., FTC in the U.S.). | Manual review. | |||
7. Packaging & Logistics | Material packaging integrity (moisture resistance, labeling) | No water damage, dust, or mislabeling. | Visual check. | ||
Shipment documentation (COO, certificates, batch numbers) | Complete and accurate for customs and compliance. | Document review. |
Sampling Criteria:
· Critical Defects: 100% inspection of safety and compliance items.
· General Sampling: 5% of the batch (minimum 30 units) for fabrics/trims.
Additional Notes:
Immediate Fail: Non-compliant chemicals, safety hazards, or ethical violations.
Corrective Actions: Documented for minor issues (e.g., label typos, minor stains).
C&Z Quality Solutions – Ensuring Every Material Meets Your Brand’s DNA.
This checklist ensures alignment with global standards while addressing brand-specific requirements. Customizable for textiles, leather, and technical materials.