Underwear labeling in 2025: a complete guide for manufacturers and retailers
CrimeaPRESS reports:
If you produce or sell underwear, you have probably already encountered mandatory labeling requirements. Honestly, at first it seems complicated — a lot of nuances, registrations, codes… But in practice everything can be solved, especially if you understand the details once.
By the way, many people now don’t even bother setting up this entire system themselves. Profile companies offer laundry marking – they take care of the entire process from registration to application of codes. Convenient, to be honest, especially when you have a lot of other business tasks. But even if you decide to do it yourself, you still need to understand the process.
What has changed in the rules for labeling underwear since 2024
You know, many people think that the rules change dramatically every year. In fact, the basis remained the same, but important clarifications appeared. Since the beginning of 2025, control over the completeness of data in Honest ZNAK has been tightened — now it is not enough to simply enter a code, you need to correctly enter all the characteristics of the product.
This is especially true for the composition of the fabric and the country of production. Previously, it was possible to indicate approximately, but now they check more strictly. Plus, a mandatory link to specific articles has been added — one DataMatrix code must correspond to one SKU. It sounds logical, but in practice, some manufacturers experienced confusion when one model came in different colors.
Another point that is really important is the timing of data entry into circulation. Now you have only 3 business days after production to enter information into the system. It used to take a little longer, so it’s worth reviewing your processes. Those who work with large batches usually automate this process through special software.
Main changes 2025:
- Detailed check of compliance of fabric composition with the declared one
- Reduction of commissioning time to 3 days
- Mandatory binding of codes to articles without the possibility of duplication
- Strengthened control over imported products
How to obtain marking codes and register in the system
The registration process, to be honest, is not the most intuitive, but you only need to go through it once. First, register in the personal account of the Honest ZNAK operator — this is done through State Services or an enhanced electronic signature. Unfortunately, there is no way without an EDS, so if you don’t have one, you’ll have to get one.
After registration, select the product group “Clothing, linen, textiles”. An important point here is that you need to correctly indicate your status: manufacturer, importer or commission agent. This determines exactly what operations you can carry out in the system. Many people encounter problems precisely because they initially chose the wrong status, and then have to redo it.
Next, order the codes. They are sold in packs — usually a minimum of 1000 pieces, although for beginners there are smaller options. Price issue clothing markings – about 50 kopecks per code, but may vary depending on the product group.
After payment, the codes arrive in CSV or XML format — a regular file, which you then upload to your accounting system or send to production for printing. Important: keep these files safe, because the marking code is actually a document confirming the legality of the product. If you lose it, you will have to explain to the tax authorities why the goods are in circulation but there are no documents.
Technical requirements for applying DataMatrix to underwear
This is where the fun begins, because lingerie is a specific product. The fabric is thin, there is not enough space, the tags are small. The DataMatrix code size must be at least 20×20 mm — this is a regulatory requirement, and it is strictly checked. In practice, many people make it 25×25 mm so that it can be clearly read.
You can apply it in two ways: printing on a label or thermal transfer printing directly on the tag. Most people choose the first option — you simply print self-adhesive labels and stick them on the packaging or hanging tag. The second method is more reliable, but more expensive because it requires special equipment.
Print quality is critical. The code must be read by a regular smartphone with the Honest SIGN application. I checked it personally — if the printer is bad or the ink ribbon has faded, the code will not be recognized and the product will simply not be accepted. So it’s not worth saving on consumables.
Code placement requirements:
- The code must be located on the outside of the package or tag
- Do not apply to seams or folds of fabric.
- Distance from the edge of the label – at least 3 mm
- The code should not overlap with other inscriptions
By the way, if you sell through marketplaces, there are problems with acceptance. Ozone and Wildberries are very picky about the quality of codes — the slightest defect, and the product will be returned. Therefore, many people prefer to work with professionals who deal with marking for marketplaces — they know all the intricacies of acceptance on different sites.
Features of working with labeled underwear on marketplaces
Marketplaces have added their own rules on top of government requirements. And guess what? Sometimes their requirements are stricter. For example, Wildberries requires that the labeling code be visible on the outside of the package even if the product is in polyethylene. That is, you either cut out the window or glue the code on top of the packaging.
Each item is scanned upon receipt. If even one code is not read or the data in the system does not match the actual product, the entire batch may be sent back. There have been cases when manufacturers confused the sizes in the description, and the marketplace began supplying several million. It’s a shame, you’ll agree.
Another important point is the product statuses in Honest ZNAK. When you ship to the marketplace warehouse, you need to create a UTD (universal transfer document) in electronic form and transfer the codes to the “shipped” status. Many people forget to do this, and then wonder why the product is stuck in status and is not accepted for sale.
To work with large volumes, it is really worth introducing integration between your accounting system and your personal labeling account. Yes, this requires investment — either buy a ready-made solution or hire a programmer to configure the API. But when you have hundreds of SKUs and thousands of product units per month, you can’t do it manually.
From my own experience I can say: the first couple of months will be unusual, and from time to time something will go wrong. This is fine. The main thing is to immediately build a clear process: received codes → applied → put into circulation → shipped with the correct documents. As soon as you debug this cycle, the work will proceed automatically.
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