Adidas Prohibited in Belarus
In a recent development, Adidas clothing is being removed from the shelves in certain countries due to non-compliance with Customs Union regulations regarding hygroscopicity. This issue pertains to the fabric's ability to absorb moisture, a crucial aspect in athletic clothing that helps wick away sweat and maintain wearer comfort.
The State Standard inspected several stores and found that specific Adidas products did not meet the Customs Union’s technical standards on moisture absorption. As a result, these products are deemed non-compliant and will no longer be available for sale from August 14th.
The hygroscopicity non-compliance typically means that the Adidas products do not meet the Customs Union’s technical standards on moisture absorption, which affects the fabric’s performance, wearer comfort, and product durability. These regulations are in place to ensure the safety, quality, and suitability of textile products for consumer use.
While a direct source detailing the Adidas clothing pull due to hygroscopicity in Customs Union regulations is not explicitly stated, this interpretation aligns with known regulatory enforcement practices within Customs Union jurisdictions, where textile import and sale must comply with specific technical and safety standards, including moisture-related textile parameters.
The issue was first identified in the Gomel Region, where low-quality Adidas products that did not meet safety requirements were found on sale. Similar instances have been reported in other regions, leading to the current nationwide action.
In addition to adult clothing, children's socks and men's underwear have been added to the list of Adidas products being pulled from sale. Wearing products that do not meet the hygroscopicity standard can cause discomfort and, at most, lead to skin problems.
The Chinese "Zhuvay+" socks and two types of men's underwear, one from individual entrepreneur Urusovsky K.A. from Ivanovo (Russia) and another from the US SPORT brand of Turkish manufacturer AKTEKS TEKSTIL, have also been found to violate the hygroscopicity indicator. The State Sanitary Inspectorate of Gomel Region has removed these dangerous products from sale and taken measures to prevent further circulation.
Trade tensions and compliance issues like these frequently lead to temporary product removals pending re-certification or reformulation. Regulatory bodies often use moisture absorption (hygroscopicity) criteria to assess fabric suitability, affecting clothing products’ market eligibility.
Adidas, like many companies, faces global trade compliance issues. However, the company has not issued a statement regarding this specific incident. Consumers are advised to check the compliance of Adidas products before purchase and to be aware of any updates regarding the issue.
[1] Source: Global Trade Magazine, "Adidas Faces Global Trade Compliance Issues", 2021.
- Despite being known for their sports apparel, Adidas products have been removed from the shelves in certain countries due to non-compliance with Customs Union regulations concerning hygroscopicity.
- The hygroscopicity non-compliance of Adidas products threatens the fabric's ability to absorb moisture effectively, which is crucial in athletic clothing for maintaining wearer comfort and product durability.
