CHINA: Authorities seize substandard designer clothes from world famous brands as local consumers express concern

Record ID: 230935

  • Title: CHINA: Authorities seize substandard designer clothes from world famous brands as local consumers express concern
  • Date: 18th March 2010
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA, (MARCH 17, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VERSACE STORE, ONE OF THE BRANDS CONFISCATED BY OFFICIALS WINDOW DISPLAY SHOWING DESIGNER CLOTHES EXTERIOR OF HERMES STORE, ONE OF THE BRANDS CONFISCATED BY OFFICIALS EXTERIOR OF A STORE'S WINDOW DISPLAY PEDESTRIANS IN AN UPSCALE DISTRICT (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) ZHANG JINBO, 27-YEAR-OLD BEIJING CITIZEN, SAYING: "I think the quality problem with these luxury brands is a big shock for consumers who have always trusted them. Lots of people are actually wearing these high-end clothes. We will reconsider whether to continue to wear them after the quality issue was exposed." EXTERIOR OF HUGO BOSS STORE, ONE OF THE BRANDS CONFISCATED BY OFFICIALS STORE WINDOW DISPLAY SHOWING A SUIT AND DRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin), WANG YUAN, 27-YEAR-OLD BEIJING CITIZEN, SAYING: "For me, I am mainly concerned about the designs. Of course I am worried about the quality. However, if the designs are good, I will still buy them." VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF ZARA STORE, ONE OF THE BRANDS CONFISCATED BY OFFICIALS/ PEOPLE WALKING BY OUTSIDE EXTERIOR OF A STORE WINDOW DISPLAY/ PEOPLE PASSING THE STORE OUTSIDE VARIOUS OF EXTERIORS OF TOMMY HILFIGER STORE EXTERIOR OF A STORE WINDOW DISPLAYING TEE-SHIRTS NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS JOURNALISTS NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SERGE ABOU, EU AMBASSADOR TO CHINA, SAYING: "Personally I doubt that the real European product, it may be fakes, but if they are real and they are made in full respect of the standards which are prevailing in our market, I think that if it is the case if they respect the European standard, there is no risk for health."
  • Embargoed: 2nd April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Fashion
  • Reuters ID: LVA6A3GPKYTSWMVO5NDU07U39CGV
  • Story Text: China has seized several items of imported high-end clothing made by international companies like Versace and Hugo Boss after tests showed some were of substandard quality and a potential health threat.
    Less than half of the items tested by provincial authorities from stores in three cities in eastern Zhejiang province passed quality tests, the Zhejiang Administration for Industry and Commerce said in a statement.
    The clothes were imported from countries including France, Italy, Turkey, Vietnam, India, South Korea, Egypt and Romania.
    Luxury items made by Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, H&M, Hermes and Trussardi, were some of the items that failed to meet watchdog standards.
    Some items of clothing contained excess levels of formaldehyde, a chemical which could cause breathing and skin problems or even cancer, the statement said.
    Other items had more cosmetic defects, such as faulty labelling, and incorrect size or washing instructions.
    The Zhejiang Administration for Industry and Commerce said it had seized the substandard items and would investigate outlets where the products were sold.
    Some residents in Beijing voiced their concerns.
    "I think the quality problem with these luxury brands is a big shock for consumers who have always trusted them. Lots of people are actually wearing these high-end clothes. We will reconsider whether to continue to wear them after the quality issue was exposed," said 27-year-old Beijing resident Zhang Jinbo.
    But some dedicated followers of fashion said they would continue to purchase those brands.
    "For me, I am mainly concerned about the designs. Of course I am worried about the quality. However, if the designs are good, I will still buy them," said another resident, Wang Yuan.
    Serge Abou, the European Union's ambassador to China, questioned the authenticity of the seized items.
    "Personally I doubt that the real European product, it may be fakes, but if they are real and they are made in full respect of the standards which are prevailing in our market, I think that if it is the case if they respect the European standard, there is no risk for health," Abou told reporters on Wednesday (March 17).
    China has been rocked by numerous product safety scandals in recent years.
    At least six children died after drinking milk contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine in 2008. Close to 300,000 sought medical treatment, many with kidney stones.
    The government has announced several crackdowns, and it has also pointed out that the issue is global and not limited to China.
    China's quality watchdogs frequently announce seizures of imported goods they say do not meet their standards.
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