GB/T 21980-2026 General technical specification for performance sportswear and protective equipment English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS
CCS
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 21980-2026
General technical specification for performance sportswear and protective equipment
专业运动服装和防护用品通用技术规范
Issue date: 2026-03-31 Implementation date: 2026-10-01
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Requirements
5 Test Methods
6 Inspection Rules
7 Marking, Packaging, Transport and Storage
General technical specification for performance sportswear and protective equipment
1 Scope
This document defines the terms for performance sportswear and performance protective equipment, specifies the requirements, inspection rules, marking, packaging, transport and storage, and describes the corresponding test methods.
This document applies to performance sportswear and performance protective equipment manufactured primarily from woven textile fabrics.
This document does not apply to clothing for infants and young children aged 36 months and below.
2 Normative References
The following documents are essential for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 250 Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Grey scale for assessing change in colour
GB/T 1335 (all parts) Standard sizing systems for garments
GB/T 3917.2 Textiles — Tear properties of fabrics — Part 2: Determination of tear force of trouser shaped specimens (single tear)
GB/T 4841.3 Colour cards of standard depths for dyeing with dyestuffs — 2/1, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/25
GB/T 5296.4 Instructions for use of products of consumer interest — Part 4: Textiles and apparel
GB/T 5453 Textiles — Determination of the permeability of fabrics to air
GB/T 8629-2017 Textiles — Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing
GB/T 8630 Textiles — Determination of dimensional changes in washing and drying
GB/T 14801 Test method for skewness and bow in woven and knitted fabrics
GB 18401 National general safety technical code for textile products
GB/T 20944.3-2008 Textiles — Evaluation of antibacterial activity — Part 3: Shake flask method
GB/T 21294 Test methods of physical and chemical properties of garments
GB/T 21295-2024 Technical requirements of physical and chemical properties of garments
GB/T 21655.1-2023 Textiles — Evaluation of absorption and quick drying — Part 1: Method for combination tests
GB/T 24121 Textile products — Detection of broken needle residues
GB/T 29862 Textiles — Identification of fibre content
GB/T 31126.1 Textiles — Determination of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds — Part 1: Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method
GB 31701 Safety technical code for infants and children textile products
GB/T 31702 Test method for sharpness of attached components on textile products
GB/T 33610.2 Textiles — Determination of deodorant property — Part 2: Detector tube method
GB/T 33610.3 Textiles — Determination of deodorant property — Part 3: Gas chromatography method
FZ/T 01034-2008 Textiles — Testing method for elastic properties of woven fabrics — Strip method
FZ/T 80002 Marking, packaging, transport and storage for garments
GSB 16-2179-2008 Sample photographs of appearance defects for silk garments
3 Terms and Definitions
The following terms and definitions apply to this document.
3.1 performance sportswear
Clothing worn during professional competitions and training.
3.2 performance protective equipment
Textile products worn or used during professional competitions and training that have protective functions.
NOTE: The classification of performance sportswear and performance protective equipment is given in Annex A.
4 Requirements
4.1 Instructions for use
The instructions for use of the product shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 5296.4. Products for children aged over 3 years up to 14 years shall also comply with the requirements of GB 31701.
4.2 Size and specification
4.2.1 The size designation of garments shall be selected according to GB/T 1335 (all parts).
4.2.2 The specifications for the main parts of garments shall be designed according to the relevant provisions of GB/T 1335 (all parts).
4.2.3 Protective equipment may be marked with its maximum dimensions (length (height) and width, etc.) in centimetres (cm), according to product characteristics.
NOTE: Depending on product characteristics, enterprises may additionally mark other size and specification information, such as applicable waist circumference, applicable arm circumference, applicable user group, etc.
4.3 Raw materials
The outer fabric and lining fabric shall comply with the relevant requirements of this document. The lining fabrics, accessories, etc., shall be compatible with the outer fabric. Buttons, decorative buttons, zippers and other attachments shall have a smooth surface, free from burrs, defects, residual flaws, and with no accessible sharp points or sharp edges. Zippers shall engage well and operate smoothly.
4.4 Appearance quality
4.4.1 The degree of yarn skewness on the collar, body, sleeves and trousers shall not be greater than 3 %, and the front bottom edge shall not turn up.
4.4.2 The degree of pattern or stripe skewness shall not be greater than 3 %.
4.4.3 For fabrics with directional pile, napped or shaded patterns, the direction shall be consistent over the entire garment. For fabrics with special patterns, the orientation shall be consistent over the entire garment, based on the main motif.
4.4.4 The colour difference between the left and right front facings shall not be less than Grade 4 5. The colour difference between the collar, lapels, capelet and the main body shall not be less than Grade 4 5. The colour difference on other exposed surfaces shall not be less than Grade 4. The colour difference for lining fabrics shall not be less than Grade 3 4.
4.4.5 Defects shall not be permitted on the main parts of the finished product; slight defects are permitted on secondary parts.
NOTE: Main parts generally refer to areas that are easily visible, such as the upper two thirds of a jacket, the middle one third of the front of trousers and long skirts, the lower half of the front of shorts and short skirts, the front of protective gear, etc. “Slight” means the defect is not obvious visually and can only be detected upon careful inspection.
4.4.6 The finished product shall not contain any residual metal needles.
4.5 Physical and chemical properties
4.5.1 The physical and chemical properties of the finished product shall comply with the requirements of Table 1. In addition, the safety performance of products for children aged over 3 years up to 14 years shall also comply with the provisions of GB 31701.
4.5.2 Products claiming to have the relevant functional properties listed in Table 2 shall comply with the requirements of Table 2. Among these, water vapour transmission and moisture absorption and quick drying properties shall be tested both before and after washing; windproof properties and thermal insulation properties shall be tested only before washing; water repellency, antistatic properties, antibacterial activity and deodorant properties shall be tested only after washing. For properties not covered in Table 2 but claimed, they may be tested according to relevant standards.
Standard
GB/T 21980-2026 General technical specification for performance sportswear and protective equipment (English Version)
Standard No.
GB/T 21980-2026
Status
to be valid
Language
English
File Format
PDF
Word Count
9000 words
Price(USD)
270.0
Implemented on
2026-11-1
Delivery
via email in 1~3 business day
Detail of GB/T 21980-2026
Standard No.
GB/T 21980-2026
English Name
General technical specification for performance sportswear and protective equipment
GB/T 21980-2026 General technical specification for performance sportswear and protective equipment English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS
CCS
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB/T 21980-2026
General technical specification for performance sportswear and protective equipment
专业运动服装和防护用品通用技术规范
Issue date: 2026-03-31 Implementation date: 2026-10-01
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Requirements
5 Test Methods
6 Inspection Rules
7 Marking, Packaging, Transport and Storage
General technical specification for performance sportswear and protective equipment
1 Scope
This document defines the terms for performance sportswear and performance protective equipment, specifies the requirements, inspection rules, marking, packaging, transport and storage, and describes the corresponding test methods.
This document applies to performance sportswear and performance protective equipment manufactured primarily from woven textile fabrics.
This document does not apply to clothing for infants and young children aged 36 months and below.
2 Normative References
The following documents are essential for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 250 Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Grey scale for assessing change in colour
GB/T 1335 (all parts) Standard sizing systems for garments
GB/T 3917.2 Textiles — Tear properties of fabrics — Part 2: Determination of tear force of trouser shaped specimens (single tear)
GB/T 4841.3 Colour cards of standard depths for dyeing with dyestuffs — 2/1, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/25
GB/T 5296.4 Instructions for use of products of consumer interest — Part 4: Textiles and apparel
GB/T 5453 Textiles — Determination of the permeability of fabrics to air
GB/T 8629-2017 Textiles — Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing
GB/T 8630 Textiles — Determination of dimensional changes in washing and drying
GB/T 14801 Test method for skewness and bow in woven and knitted fabrics
GB 18401 National general safety technical code for textile products
GB/T 20944.3-2008 Textiles — Evaluation of antibacterial activity — Part 3: Shake flask method
GB/T 21294 Test methods of physical and chemical properties of garments
GB/T 21295-2024 Technical requirements of physical and chemical properties of garments
GB/T 21655.1-2023 Textiles — Evaluation of absorption and quick drying — Part 1: Method for combination tests
GB/T 24121 Textile products — Detection of broken needle residues
GB/T 29862 Textiles — Identification of fibre content
GB/T 31126.1 Textiles — Determination of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds — Part 1: Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method
GB 31701 Safety technical code for infants and children textile products
GB/T 31702 Test method for sharpness of attached components on textile products
GB/T 33610.2 Textiles — Determination of deodorant property — Part 2: Detector tube method
GB/T 33610.3 Textiles — Determination of deodorant property — Part 3: Gas chromatography method
FZ/T 01034-2008 Textiles — Testing method for elastic properties of woven fabrics — Strip method
FZ/T 80002 Marking, packaging, transport and storage for garments
GSB 16-2179-2008 Sample photographs of appearance defects for silk garments
3 Terms and Definitions
The following terms and definitions apply to this document.
3.1 performance sportswear
Clothing worn during professional competitions and training.
3.2 performance protective equipment
Textile products worn or used during professional competitions and training that have protective functions.
NOTE: The classification of performance sportswear and performance protective equipment is given in Annex A.
4 Requirements
4.1 Instructions for use
The instructions for use of the product shall comply with the requirements of GB/T 5296.4. Products for children aged over 3 years up to 14 years shall also comply with the requirements of GB 31701.
4.2 Size and specification
4.2.1 The size designation of garments shall be selected according to GB/T 1335 (all parts).
4.2.2 The specifications for the main parts of garments shall be designed according to the relevant provisions of GB/T 1335 (all parts).
4.2.3 Protective equipment may be marked with its maximum dimensions (length (height) and width, etc.) in centimetres (cm), according to product characteristics.
NOTE: Depending on product characteristics, enterprises may additionally mark other size and specification information, such as applicable waist circumference, applicable arm circumference, applicable user group, etc.
4.3 Raw materials
The outer fabric and lining fabric shall comply with the relevant requirements of this document. The lining fabrics, accessories, etc., shall be compatible with the outer fabric. Buttons, decorative buttons, zippers and other attachments shall have a smooth surface, free from burrs, defects, residual flaws, and with no accessible sharp points or sharp edges. Zippers shall engage well and operate smoothly.
4.4 Appearance quality
4.4.1 The degree of yarn skewness on the collar, body, sleeves and trousers shall not be greater than 3 %, and the front bottom edge shall not turn up.
4.4.2 The degree of pattern or stripe skewness shall not be greater than 3 %.
4.4.3 For fabrics with directional pile, napped or shaded patterns, the direction shall be consistent over the entire garment. For fabrics with special patterns, the orientation shall be consistent over the entire garment, based on the main motif.
4.4.4 The colour difference between the left and right front facings shall not be less than Grade 4 5. The colour difference between the collar, lapels, capelet and the main body shall not be less than Grade 4 5. The colour difference on other exposed surfaces shall not be less than Grade 4. The colour difference for lining fabrics shall not be less than Grade 3 4.
4.4.5 Defects shall not be permitted on the main parts of the finished product; slight defects are permitted on secondary parts.
NOTE: Main parts generally refer to areas that are easily visible, such as the upper two thirds of a jacket, the middle one third of the front of trousers and long skirts, the lower half of the front of shorts and short skirts, the front of protective gear, etc. “Slight” means the defect is not obvious visually and can only be detected upon careful inspection.
4.4.6 The finished product shall not contain any residual metal needles.
4.5 Physical and chemical properties
4.5.1 The physical and chemical properties of the finished product shall comply with the requirements of Table 1. In addition, the safety performance of products for children aged over 3 years up to 14 years shall also comply with the provisions of GB 31701.
4.5.2 Products claiming to have the relevant functional properties listed in Table 2 shall comply with the requirements of Table 2. Among these, water vapour transmission and moisture absorption and quick drying properties shall be tested both before and after washing; windproof properties and thermal insulation properties shall be tested only before washing; water repellency, antistatic properties, antibacterial activity and deodorant properties shall be tested only after washing. For properties not covered in Table 2 but claimed, they may be tested according to relevant standards.
