Inspection of Children's Apparel in Poland
The Polish Trade Inspection carried out a comprehensive review of children’s clothing from well-known brands Pepco, Smyk, KiK, and Coccodrillo. Their investigation uncovered that 24% of the tested batches contained fabric compositions that did not match the labels. Inspectors visited 166 entities—including manufacturers, wholesale warehouses, and retail stores—collecting samples from 949 clothing batches. Out of these, 113 batches underwent detailed laboratory testing.
Findings from the Investigation
The inspection revealed discrepancies in 27 batches (24%) where the fabric content declared on labels was inconsistent with laboratory results. For example, a child’s pajama labeled as 80% cotton was found to be made entirely of polyester. Similarly, boys’ trousers marked as 65% polyester, 32% cotton, and 3% elastane actually contained 86% polyester and 4% viscose. A cardigan labeled as 97% cotton and 3% elastane was discovered to have nearly equal parts polyester and cotton, with an additional 5.5% viscose.
Moreover, labeling errors were detected in 188 batches. The most frequent issue involved mismatches between fabric information presented on store websites and that on garment labels. Manufacturers and importers have been ordered to correct these inaccuracies. The costs for laboratory testing were assigned to retailers who provided misleading information.
Inspectors visited 166 companies—including producers, wholesale warehouses, and regular shops—sampling 949 batches of children’s clothing, focusing primarily on items for kids up to 168 centimeters tall.
These violations highlight significant gaps in quality control within the children’s clothing sector, posing potential risks to children's safety and comfort. The responsibility to rectify labeling rests with manufacturers and importers, which may prompt changes in production and sales practices across Poland. This case emphasizes the critical need for transparent and accurate material composition information, especially for products intended for children.
For consumers in English-speaking countries, this inspection underscores the importance of verifying product details and trusting brands that maintain strict quality and labeling standards for children's apparel.