Views: 0 Author: Ocean Yang Publish Time: 2026-01-19 Origin: Ljvogues
Compliance is now a core part of product success in period underwear—because the category sits between intimate apparel, hygiene, and “wellness,” and brands are under stronger scrutiny for chemical safety and performance claims. At Ljvogues, we treat compliance as a shared responsibility: brands define target markets and claims, and we support them with compliant material sourcing, documentation, testing coordination, and country-specific labeling guidance.
Unlike basic underwear, period underwear involves absorbent structures, barrier layers, and sometimes “health-adjacent” marketing claims. Because regulations vary by country, a product that sells smoothly in one market may require additional testing, warnings, or labeling in another.
Below is a practical overview of common compliance frameworks brands face; it is not legal advice, but a sourcing roadmap that helps you ask the right questions early.
FDA: In the U.S., FDA regulation is most clearly tied to products like tampons and certain medical devices, so brands must be careful about making “medical” or treatment claims for underwear.
CPSIA: If you sell to children/teens in the U.S., children’s product safety compliance (including lead and phthalates limits) can become relevant, especially for trims, prints, and accessories.
California Proposition 65 (Prop 65): Prop 65 requires “clear and reasonable” warnings when consumers may be exposed to listed chemicals, and it applies to consumer products sold in California, including textile products.
The Prop 65 chemical list is maintained by California OEHHA and includes substances known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.
Enforcement actions have targeted textiles for chemicals such as BPA and PFAS (including PFOA) in certain products, highlighting why brands must manage restricted substances and documentation.
REACH: EU REACH restricts hazardous substances in textiles, including SVHC disclosure obligations and Annex XVII restrictions; textile products that contact skin must meet specific limits for restricted chemicals.
CE marking: CE is generally for regulated product categories (e.g., medical devices), and period underwear is typically treated as apparel unless marketed as a regulated medical product—so brands must be careful not to trigger CE/medical device expectations through claims.
OEKO-TEX®: While not a law, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is widely used to demonstrate textiles are tested for harmful substances, and it covers all components of the article (threads, accessories, etc.).
Asia-Pacific markets vary widely (Japan, Korea, Singapore, Southeast Asia), and most compliance work is driven by chemical restrictions, labeling rules, and import documentation rather than one unified regulation. This is why brands need market-by-market labeling and fiber composition accuracy, especially for cross-border e-commerce.
Australia’s TGA clearly regulates products like tampons and menstrual cups, and guidance documents explain TGA standards and labeling requirements for those categories.
Period underwear is generally treated as apparel, but brand claims matter—if a product is positioned in a way that resembles a therapeutic claim, regulatory expectations can change.
If a brand wants smooth global scaling, it should build around a robust “restricted substances + skin-contact safety” system from day one. This becomes more important as regulations tighten around PFAS and other chemicals in textiles.
Key pillars:
Restricted substances lists (RSL)
REACH Entry 72 restrictions in Annex XVII specifically target textiles that contact skin and restrict 33 CMR substances at set limits.
Skin-contact safety testing
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is commonly used to show that textile components have been tested for harmful substances, which helps brands support “skin-friendly” positioning.
Absorbent material considerations
Because period underwear uses multi-layer absorbent cores and barrier films, brands should verify chemical compliance not only for the face fabric but for every hidden layer as well.
In period underwear, compliance risk often comes from claims, not only from materials. A good product can become non-compliant if the packaging or website suggests medical treatment, unverified antimicrobial performance, or unsubstantiated environmental claims.
What brands should systemize:
Absorbency level disclosures
Many brands use ml capacity and “tampon equivalents” for clarity, but these should match your internal test method and product construction to avoid misleading claims.
Care instruction standards
Correct care labeling reduces complaints and supports durability claims, because washing behavior directly affects absorbency and barrier life.
Environmental claims substantiation
“Sustainable,” “biodegradable,” and “recyclable” should be used carefully, because multi-material period underwear is difficult to recycle and can create greenwashing risk if claims are vague.
At Ljvogues, our OEM/ODM support includes compliance-oriented sourcing and documentation workflows, because global brands need more than production—they need proof.
How we typically support:
Pre-certified material sourcing
We help brands select fabrics aligned with OEKO-TEX® and offer compliance-focused options such as GOTS and PFAS-free programs depending on product direction.
Testing documentation
We can coordinate third-party testing and provide documentation packages for brand audit needs (materials, trims, and finished goods where required).
Country-specific labeling
We support correct fiber composition labels, care labels, and packaging requirements aligned with your destination market and channel.
The compliance landscape is tightening, and brands that plan ahead will avoid costly redesigns later.
PFAS restrictions
The EU is strengthening restrictions on PFAS-related substances such as PFHxA across consumer products including textiles, and these changes affect sourcing decisions today.
California also continues to see enforcement activity and regulatory pressure related to PFAS in textiles through Prop 65 actions and textile-focused rules.
Microplastic concerns
As recycled and synthetic materials become more common, policymakers and consumers are paying more attention to microplastic release and textile sustainability impact.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
EPR-style policies are expanding in sustainability regulation discussions, increasing pressure for packaging reduction, recyclability, and better product lifecycle planning.
Global compliance is not something a brand can “fix later”—it must be built into material selection, construction, testing, and claims from the start. The strongest results happen when brands and manufacturers align early: target markets, absorbency claims, restricted substances requirements, and labeling strategy.
If you tell us where you plan to sell (U.S., EU, Australia, Middle East, etc.), what claims you want to make (PFAS-free, organic, heavy-flow, odor control), and your channel (DTC, Amazon, retail), my team at Ljvogues can propose a compliance-ready materials and documentation roadmap alongside your OEM/ODM production plan.
Ocean Yang
