H&M Quality Standards & Requirements

Part 1: Introduction
Global Quality Department
Valid for all brands in H&M Group

H&M Quality Standards & Requirements

May 2014

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Table of Contents
1

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
1.1

General Information .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

1.2

New Versions of QS&R.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3

1.3

Special Requirements for Specific Portions of the Order ................................................................................................................. 3

1.4

The Different Parts of QS&R ................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

1.5

Definitions & Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

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1
1.1

INTRODUCTION
General Information

The H&M Quality Standards & Requirements (referred to as QS&R) describes key physical properties for all
products developed by the H&M Group. Since the requirement levels are based on safety and customer
expectation the same requirements apply to products in both virgin and recycled materials.

All H&M documents referred to in this document are found on the H&M Group Supplier Portal.

All requirements are given in minimum value, e.g. 3-4 means equal to or higher than 3-4.

All references to ages or sizes range includes the highest and lowest age/size. (Example, Size 44-98 = size 44
up to and including size 98)

If size 92 is included in the size group 92-128 cl, the requirement of the smaller size group does not apply.

Test methods written in brackets are alternative methods considered to give equal results.

When referred to undated test methods the latest published version is valid.

The production must correspond to all H&M requirements and restrictions in all aspects, even those not
randomly tested.

For tests referring to an H&M Test Method (H&M TM) the test method, sampling and definitions are found in
H&M Lab Manual 1.

H&M Group only accepts test reports from H&M in-house labs, approved supplier labs or accredited 3rd party
labs. In case of contradicting test results the test result of H&M will prevail.

1.2

New Versions of QS&R

The QS&R will be updated twice a year, in May and November.

The date of when the document was last updated can be found in the footer.

At the end of each part all changes since last updated version are listed.

1.3

Special Requirements for Specific Portions of the Order

When a requirement refers to a specific portion, that selling market has a special legal requirement that cannot be
compromised. If the order does not fulfill the specific requirement it must not be shipped to that market. Warning
hangtags are not an option in these cases. However, if the order passes the general requirement it can still be
shipped to all other markets.

H&M Lab Manual also contain test procedures for methods usually performed by H&M in-house labs.

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1.4

The Different Parts of QS&R

The H&M Quality Standards & Requirements (QS&R) is divided into 12 parts. Each part refers to a specific area of
requirements.

Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Part 4:
Part 5:
Part 6:
Part 7:
Part 8:
Part 9:
Part 10:
Part 11:
Part 12:

Introduction
Apparel
Sport & Outdoor Apparel/Products
Home Interior Textile & Leather Products
Home Interior Non-Textile Products
Accessories
Eyewear
Footwear
Down & Feather
Retro reflective function
Toys
Childrens Safety

The highlighted documents will not be included in the 2014 May release.
Some parts cover all, or several, product types while others only cover one. This means that to cover all
requirements for a specific product several parts must be applied. This is illustrated in the matrix below:
PART 2:
Apparel

PART 3:
Sport &
Outdoor
Apparel/
Products

PART 4:
Home Interior
Textile &
Leather
Products

PART 5:
Home Interior
Non-Textile
Products

PART 6:
Accessories

PART 7:
Eyewear

PART 8:
Footwear

PART 1: Introduction
PART 9: Down & Feather
PART 10: Retro Reflective Function
PART 11: Toys
PART 12: Childrens Safety

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Examples:
Running tights with reflective print
Basic requirements:
Part 3 because it is sport apparel
Other requirements depending on style:

Part 1 Introduction applies to all products

Part 9 There is no down or feather in this product
Part 10 This product has reflective print
Part 11 This is not a toy
Part 12 Only if it had been intended for children

Water bottle intended for children

Basic requirements:
Part 5 because it is a Non-Textile product
Other requirements depending on style:
Part 1 Introduction applies to all products
Part 9 There is no down or feather in this product
Part 10 This product has no retro reflective
function
Part 11 This is not a toy
Part 12 This product is intended for children
Camping tent to be used outdoors
Basic requirements:
Part 3 because it is an outdoor product
Other requirements depending on style:
Part 1 Introduction applies to all products
Part 9 There is no down or feather in this product
Part 10 This product has no retro reflective
function
Part 11 Only if this had been a play tent
Part 12 Only if this had been intended for children
Dracula outfit for children
Basic requirements:
Part 2 because it is apparel
Other requirements depending on style:
Part 1 Introduction applies to all products
Part 9 There is no down or feather in this product
Part 10 This product has no retro reflective
function
Part 11 This is a disguise costume and therefore a
toy
Part 12 This is intended for children

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1.5

Definitions & Abbreviations

Expression

Definition

Bed linen

Includes pillow case, duvet cover and bed sheet

Bonded seams

Textiles joint by locally applied adhesive

CF

Colour Fastness

CFU

Colony Forming Units

CIL (mcd/lux)

Millicandela per lux

cl

Centilong

Cushion

All cushions with filling, including both separately sold cushions and those sold inside a
cushion cover.

Cushion cover

Removable cover used for decorative/scatter cushions.

Duvet/comforter

To be placed inside a duvet cover.

Flatware

Products intended for food contact with an internal depth of 25 mm or less. For example
plates.

Functional outerwear

Winter overalls, rainwear, ski wear including hats & gloves. One or more functions are
requested e.g. waterproof, water resistant, water repellent, windproof, breathable.

Functional wear

Sportswear, winter overalls, rainwear, ski wear including hats & gloves. One or more
functions are requested e.g. waterproof, water resistant, water repellent, windproof,
breathable.

H&M TM

H&M Test Method

Holloware

Products intended for food contact with an internal depth of more than 25 mm. For example
cups, mugs, ovenware and vases.

Home Interior Textile &

Leather Products

Products made of textile and/or leather that are intended to be used in a home environment.
For example; bed linen, tea towels, rugs, table cloths, hammocks etc.

Home Interior NonTextile Products

Products made of other materials than textiles that are intended to be used in a home
environment. For example; candles, flower pots, vases, cake plates, insulated flasks etc.

Leather

Hide or skin with its original fibrous structure more or less intact, tanned to be imputrescible,
where the hair or wool may or may not have been removed, whether or not the hide or skin
has been split into layers or segmented either before or after tanning and where any surface
coating or surface layer, however applied, is not thicker than 0.15mm.

Microfibre

A fibre or filament of linear density below 1.3 dtex (decitex).

Neon colour

Colour containing optical brightening agents.

Nightwear

Bathrobes including towel with cap, dressing gowns, night shirts, night dresses and pyjamas.

OBA

Optical Brightening Agents

Pile fabric

Velvet, velour, corduroy etc.

Pillow

Inner pillow, intended to support the head when lying or sleeping, to be used inside a pillow
case.

Pyjama

One or two-pieced nightwear with legs

Reflective material

Material that reflects light back to its source with a minimum of scattering

Sleep bags

Full length fabric bag with neck opening and armholes but without
sleeves, hood or specific areas for feet and legs. Used in childrens indoor sleeping
environment instead of other bedding.

Solid colour

One single colour

Wales (per inch)

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