• The Trade Inspection Authority has thoroughly examined clothing, as well as table and cleaning cloths.
• The inspectors have questioned 34 per cent of the products checked.
• Numerous cases of misleading fibre composition information have been identified.

The quality of clothing and the precision of information presented on the labels are deteriorating – these are the conclusions drawn by the Trade Inspection Authority after audits conducted throughout Poland. 361 undertakings have been controlled: manufacturers, importers, entrepreneurs importing goods from the EU, wholesalers and retailers. They were picked randomly, or based on information concerning previous non-conformities.

The inspectors have verified 2,135 lots of clothing items for children and adults, as well as table and cleaning cloths. Cases of non-conformance have been identified in 34 per cent of the batches. These included, inter alia, untrue label information concerning, for instance, size, materials used or properties. The number of irregularities identified was considerably higher than in the previous year, when the Trade Inspection Authority questioned 26.5 per cent of clothing items and other products verified.

Examples:

1. The seller was ensuring on the label that a blouse was made of 100 per cent cotton. Meanwhile, laboratory tests have indicated that the cotton content equalled just slightly over 50%, with the rest being polyester.
2. A men’s shirt was supposed to contain 65 per cent of cotton and 35 per cent of polyester. In fact, the proportions were exactly the opposite.
3. Washing failed to remove soiling from allegedly stain-free table cloths. This was the case with 25 out of 34 lots examined.

The highest share of irregularities - over 50 per cent - was identified in products imported from outside the EU.

The majority of entrepreneurs voluntarily implemented the recommendations specified. The Trade Inspection Authority imposed 7 fines, submitted 26 requests to eliminate the cases of non-conformance and sent 212 follow-up reports.

What should we pay attention to while buying clothes:

• Safety. Check if a children’s sweatshirt has a cord in the hood. This poses the risk of choking. According to European Commission’s guidelines, clothes for children up to 7 years should not have any cords or drawstrings in the neck area, and in the case of clothes for older children - such elements must not be elastic, and their length cannot exceed 7.5 cm.
• Fibre composition. This is of particular importance for those suffering from allergies.
• Appearance. Make sure that there are no visible defects in the clothing you intend to buy, such as snags or discoloration. This will enable you to avoid any trouble with filing a complaint.
• Size. Try the item on, as the numbering systems used by individual manufacturers differ. Returning or exchanging a too-small blouse depends on the good will of the shop.
• Labels and tags. They should identify the fibre composition, price and information about the entrepreneur who is responsible for the quality of the product. Additionally, the manner in which the product should be cared for and additional warnings may be placed there, such as: “Beware! Keep away from fire”.
• Keep the receipt. It will make the process of filing a potential complaint easier should any defects be identified at a later stage. You have two years to lodge a complaint.
• Any doubts? Contact the Trade Inspection Authority.

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Phone: 695 902 088
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl

Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL