Nearly one in four lots of children’s clothing tested in the laboratory had a different composition from the label
In the first half of 2026 Poland’s Trade Inspection checked 949 lots of clothing for children up to 168 cm tall. The UOKiK laboratory in Łódź tested 113 lots — in 27 the actual fibre composition differed from the declared one.
- The inspection covered 166 businesses — manufacturers, wholesalers and shops. Labelling irregularities were found in 188 lots, including fibre names not compliant with the rules (“cotton” instead of the Polish “bawełna”), no descending order and discrepancies between online shops and labels.
- Some differences were glaring: pyjamas declared as 80 % cotton and 20 % polyester turned out to be entirely polyester, and a cardigan declared as 97 % cotton contained 48.4 % polyester, 46.1 % cotton and 5.5 % viscose.
- The assessment is based on Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 on textile fibre names and composition labelling; fibres accounting for less than 5 % individually or 15 % together may be described as “other fibres”.
- The non-compliant lots were withdrawn from sale, and businesses offering products with incorrect composition will bear the cost of the laboratory tests; the inspections continue.
Source: UOKiK — Co noszą dzieci – bawełnę czy poliester? Kontrola Inspekcji Handlowej