You cannot see fibre content with your eyes. A sweater can feel soft and still contain far less cashmere than the label claims. For a wholesale buyer, that gap is a real financial and legal risk.

Lab testing closes it. This guide explains which tests matter, what they prove, and how to read a report. You will leave knowing what to ask your supplier before you pay a deposit.

Why Testing Protects Your Business

A bad batch costs more than the price of the garments. You also pay for returns, lost customer trust, and possibly a damaged relationship with a retail partner. Testing catches problems before they reach the shelf.

It also gives you proof. If a customer or regulator questions your label, a lab report answers the question.

Mislabelled Fibre Is Common

Cashmere is expensive, so mixing it with cheaper fibres is tempting for dishonest suppliers. A garment labelled as pure cashmere may contain wool, viscose, or nylon. Customers sometimes notice, and authorities do too.

Testing identifies the real fibre content. It protects your brand from false claims you never intended to make.

Retail Partners Ask for Reports

Larger retailers often request lab reports before they list a product. Without them, you may lose the account before it starts. Having reports ready speeds up onboarding.

Keep copies for each style and each season. A well organised folder saves time when a buyer asks.

Fibre Content and Fibre Quality Tests

Fibre tests answer two questions. Is the garment really cashmere, and is the cashmere any good? Both matter for pricing and for labelling.

Request these tests on your sample and again on your bulk production.

Fibre Identification

Labs usually identify and measure fibre content with microscopy. Standards such as ISO 17751 cover cashmere, wool, and other specialty animal fibres. The lab reports each fibre as a percentage of the total.

Compare the result with your label. A small tolerance is normal, but large gaps are a warning sign.

Fibre Diameter and Quality

Fibre diameter, measured in microns, shows how fine the cashmere is. European textile rules define cashmere as having an average fibre diameter of up to 19 microns. Finer fibres feel softer and usually cost more.

Labs can also check the share of coarse hair in the fibre. Too much coarse hair makes a garment itchy and more likely to pill.

Performance Tests That Predict Customer Satisfaction

Performance tests tell you how a garment behaves in real life. They predict complaints before customers make them. They also help you compare two suppliers fairly.

Cashmere pills naturally because its fibres are short and fine. Good yarn and tight knitting reduce it. A pilling test shows you which supplier has done the work.

Chemical and Safety Tests

Chemical tests protect your customers and your access to the market. They matter most for baby wear and any product that touches skin all day. Rules differ across regions, so check the markets you sell in.

Restricted Substances

European rules limit certain chemicals in textiles, including some azo dyes and heavy metals. Many buyers use OEKO-TEX Standard 100 as a clear, recognised proof of safety. The certificate covers every component of the finished product.

California’s Proposition 65 can also affect goods sold in that state. Ask your customs or compliance adviser if you ship there.

Children’s Products

Baby and children’s cashmere faces stricter rules. US sales fall under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. European markets apply stricter limits and additional safety requirements for children’s clothing.

If you stock baby cashmere, request the full test set before you place a bulk order.

How to Read a Lab Report

A lab report can look like a wall of numbers. A few checks make it easy to understand. Read it before you accept any shipment.

Look for these points.

• The lab name, address, and accreditation, such as ISO/IEC 17025
• The report date, which should be recent
• A sample description that matches your actual product
• The test method listed for each result
• Clear pass or fail results against a stated standard

If any detail looks off, ask for clarification. Honest suppliers answer quickly.

When to Test and Who Should Pay

Timing shapes the value of testing. Test early to catch problems cheaply, and test again before shipping to confirm quality.

• Pre production testing checks yarn and fabric before bulk knitting starts
• Pre shipment testing confirms the finished garments match your approved sample
• Periodic testing on repeat orders keeps quality steady across seasons

Many manufacturers include basic testing in their price. Others charge extra for full reports. Settle this before you sign. You can also nominate your own lab for an independent view.

Certificates Versus Test Reports

Buyers sometimes confuse these two documents. A test report covers one product at one point in time. A certificate usually covers a company, process, or product range for a set period.

Both help, but they answer different questions. Ask for the test report to verify your order and for the certificate to understand the supplier.

Our certifications page shows examples of the quality documents buyers can request.

Red Flags in Testing Documents

Documents can be misleading even when they look official. Learn to spot the common problems.

• Reports from labs you cannot find or verify online
• Old reports used for a new order
• Results for a different fabric or a different colour
• Missing fibre percentages
• Edited or poorly scanned pages

When you see a red flag, order your own independent test. It costs little compared with a failed shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

New buyers often wonder how deep to go with testing. These answers help you set a sensible level.

Which lab tests should I request first?

Start with fibre content and fibre diameter. Add pilling and colour fastness tests next. Add chemical tests if you sell baby wear or enter stricter markets.

How much does cashmere testing cost?

Prices vary by lab and test package. A basic fibre content test costs far less than a full performance and chemical set. Ask your lab for a quote.

Can I trust a supplier’s in house testing?

In house tests help with daily quality control. For claims you will make publicly, use an independent third party lab as well.

How long does lab testing take?

Most standard tests take several working days after the lab receives the sample. Some tests take longer. Plan for this in your production calendar.

Does cashmere need a special certification to be sold as cashmere?

Rules vary by market, but the fibre must meet the legal definition. Testing proves it does. Certifications on top of that support your wider claims.

Make Testing a Standard Part of Every Order

Testing is cheap insurance for your margins and your reputation. Request fibre and performance tests, check the details on every report, and keep your files organised.

Contact Om Cashmeres to discuss testing and quality documentation for your wholesale order.