H&M Routine for Storage of Fabric/Material, Semi-finished & Finished products GPQD-000234

Valid for all brands in H&M group

H&M ROUTINE FOR STORAGE OF

FABRIC/YARN/ MATERIAL, SEMI-FINISHED &
FINISHED PRODUCTS
Routine for how to store and handle fabric/yarn/material, semi-finished
and finished products in exceptional cases when longer storage than
normal is needed

Introduction
This document clarify the routine for how to store and handle fabric/material, semi-finished and
finished products in exceptional cases when longer storage than normal is needed.
Important to note that the risks may vary depending on dye stuff, colour, finishing processes (wash/
print etc.), material composition and construction. It is recommended to cross check with regional
Quality team to identify possible risks connected to specific material/products.

Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1. General storage time for Fabrics and Products .....................................................................................................2
1.2. Storage time for Heavyknit Yarn and Products......................................................................................................3
1.3. Denim storage time for Fabrics and Products .......................................................................................................3
1.4. Intimates storage time for Fabrics and Products ...................................................................................................4
1.5. Hardgoods storage time for Fabrics, Semi-finished and finished Products ...........................................................4
2. Risks ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1. General risks ..........................................................................................................................................................5
2.2. Material specific critical risks – additional to general risks ...................................................................................6
2.3. Material specific critical risks – additional to general risks – Hardgoods ..............................................................7
3. Required tests – additional to Risk Assessment ...................................................................................... 8
4. Fabric/Material storage conditions ......................................................................................................... 9
5. Semi-finished and Finished goods storage conditions ............................................................................ 9

Global Product Quality Department 1 (9)

June 2020 Version 1.2

General Information
H&M Routine for Storage of Fabric/Material, Semi-finished & Finished products GPQD-000234
Valid for all brands in H&M group

1.1. General storage time for Fabrics and Products

Material Composition & Dyes
1 Woven/knit fabric without
elastan in greige form
Maximum time of Fabric Maximum time of semi-
storage finished/ finished Product
storage
Max 24 weeks
-----------------------------------

1 Woven/Knit fabrics with Max 18 weeks

Elastane in greige form
2 Sulpher dyed fabric Max 8 weeks No storage recommended
Except denim
3 Products with garment No storage recommended No storage recommended
dye/piece dye: Discharge-,
Pigment-, Sulpher dye
4 Reactive dyed 100% cotton Max 24 weeks Max 12 weeks
4. 1 Reactive Dyed Blended fabric Max 20 weeks Max 12 weeks
without elastane (CVC/PC)
5 100% of same Max 12-14 weeks Varies based on dye
material/composition method/wash
Except wool, silk, viscose, Home textile max 6-8 weeks
cotton
6 Fabrics including elastan, Max 8-12 weeks Max 8 weeks
viscose
7 Dyed Silk Max 10 weeks No storage recommended

8 Wool No storage recommended No storage recommended

9 Melange greige fabric (Fake or 24 weeks
real mélange)
9.1 Melange finished fabric (Fake 12 weeks 8 weeks
or real mélange)
10 Products with foil, rubber and Foil max 6 weeks
flock print ------------------------------------- Rubber/pigment 3-4 weeks
Rubber high density 6 weeks
Flock print 3-4 weeks

Global Product Quality Department 2 (9)

June 2020 Version 1.2

General Information
H&M Routine for Storage of Fabric/Material, Semi-finished & Finished products GPQD-000234
Valid for all brands in H&M group

1.2. Storage time for Heavyknit Yarn and Products

Maximum time of Semi-

Material Composition & Dyeing Maximum time of Yarn
S/L finished/Finished Products
Type Storage
Storage
100% Cotton – Raw yarn
Max 52 weeks ------
100% Cotton – Melange (top dyed)
Max 24 weeks Max 12 weeks
yarn
100% Cotton – Reactive Dyed yarn Max 16 weeks Max 12 weeks
100% Viscose – Raw yarn
Max 42 weeks ------
100% Viscose – Melange (top dyed)
Max 16 weeks Max 12 weeks
yarn
100% Viscose – Reactive Dyed yarn Max 14 weeks Max 12 weeks
52 weeks (Raw yarn) ------
100% Synthetic/Synthetic Blend
(Acrylic, *Polyamide, Polyester, Max 12 weeks (Dyed Yarn) Max 12 weeks
etc.) *Polyamide/Elastane:-- *Polyamide/Elastane
Max 6 weeks (Dyed Yarn) blend:-- Max 6 weeks
Acrylic/Cotton blend – Raw Yarn Max 52 weeks ------
Acrylic/Cotton blend – Dyed Yarn Max 14 weeks Max 12 weeks
Acrylic/Viscose blend – Raw Yarn Max 42 weeks ------
Acrylic/Viscose blend –
Max 14 weeks Max 12 weeks
Melange/Dyed Yarn
Multi-blend/(Wool percentage Max 24 weeks (Raw Yarn/
------
below 10%)/Alpaca/Mohair/ Cone Form)
Cashmere/complicated/Fancy Max 6 weeks (Dyed Yarn) Max 4 weeks

1.3. Denim storage time for Fabrics and Products

Material Composition & Maximum time of Fabric Maximum time of semi-

Dyes storage finished/ finished Product
storage
11 PFD Prepared for dying Neutralized 24weeks 6-8 weeks
Without Neutralized 8weeks
12 Rigid (indigo) 20 weeks 8-12 weeks
12 Rigid (Sulpher) 10-12 weeks 6-8 weeks
13 Stretch/comfort stretch Cotton elastane 24 weeks 8-12 weeks
(Indigo) Cotton poly elastane 20weeks

13 Super stretch (Indigo) Cotton elastane 20 weeks 6-8 weeks

Cotton poly elastane 16 weeks
13 Super stretch (Sulpher) Cotton elastane 10 weeks 6-8 weeks
Cotton poly elastane 6 weeks

Global Product Quality Department 3 (9)

June 2020 Version 1.2

General Information
H&M Routine for Storage of Fabric/Material, Semi-finished & Finished products GPQD-000234
Valid for all brands in H&M group

1.4. Intimates storage time for Fabrics and Products

Material Composition & Maximum time of Fabric Maximum time of semi-

Dyes storage finished/ finished Product
storage
14 Rubber Elastic Max 18 weeks Max 12 weeks
15 Foam Cup Max. 8 weeks (push & super Max. 8 weeks (push & super
(Black /dark/Medium color) push) push)
Max. 12 weeks (Others) Max. 12 weeks (Others)
16 Foam Cup
No storage recommended No storage recommended
(White/Light color)
17 Spacer fabric No storage recommended No storage recommended
18 Interlock fabric Max. 12 weeks Max. 12 weeks
19 Polyester, Polyamid Dark / Black – Max 12 weeks
Dark / Black – Max 18 weeks
including elastan, viscose Light / White – Max 8 weeks
Light / White – Max 8 weeks
Lace, elastic
Reactive dyed See 4 See 4
Fabrics including elastan,
See 6 See 6
viscose
20 Foil print, Rubber print,
No storage recommended No storage recommended
Flocking, bonding
21 Adhesive bra No storage recommended

1.5. Hardgoods storage time for Fabrics, Semi-finished and finished Products

Composition Maximum time of Maximum Maximum time of finished

Material storage time of product storage
Semi-
finished
Product
storage
22 Wood/Bamboo 3-4 weeks 1-2 weeks 1-2 weeks
(seasoning
included)
23 Natural 4 weeks or more 2 weeks 2week – 6weeks in
straw/Jute/Rattan/Cork/Bamboo depends on conditioned room (set
regional required temperature and
environment humidity).
conditions

Global Product Quality Department 4 (9)

June 2020 Version 1.2

General Information
H&M Routine for Storage of Fabric/Material, Semi-finished & Finished products GPQD-000234
Valid for all brands in H&M group

24 Glass 6 month No limited No limited

(NaOH is
deliquescence)
25 Ceramic 10-12weeks 1 week 1 week
26 Plastic 3 years 1 year 1 year
27 Paper 4 weeks 2 weeks
28 Candle 1year 6months 3months

29 Metal - Iron 6-8 weeks W/O 12 hours if 1-2 week if not packed in
any protective anti rust cartons
coating in indoor coating
environment done after
fabrication
30 Metal - S.S / Aluminum / Brass 24 weeks indoor 8-10 Unpacked for 2-3 weeks;
condition weeks Packed 4 weeks
indoor
condition

2. Risks
2.1. General risks

Material Composition & Dyes Risks

General for all compositions • Shrinkage

• Loss of Stretchability
• GSM/weight for material with elastan
• Dry/Wet Rubbing for dark colours
• Phenolic Yellowing for white/light colours
• Mould/ Bad Smell
• Print cracking/Stickyness
• Shade variation/ Colour change
• Crease marks for dark colours
• Hand feel/ Loss of fluffiness
• Insects (specific for wool)
• pH grade change
• Cross staining
• Tearing for woven

Global Product Quality Department 5 (9)

June 2020 Version 1.2

General Information
H&M Routine for Storage of Fabric/Material, Semi-finished & Finished products GPQD-000234
Valid for all brands in H&M group

Additional for Hardgoods

• Dust, stain, dirtiness
• Breakage
• Scratching marks

Important! The risks may vary depending on dye stuff,

colour, wash and composition. Recommended to cross
check with regional QA- and material team

2.2. Material specific critical risks – additional to general risks

1 Woven/knit fabric with & • All general risks

without elastan in greige form
2 Sulpher dyed • All general risks +
• Reduce durability/ Tearing
3 Products ready for Garment • All general risks +
dye/piece dye – Discharge-, • Reduce durability/ Tearing
Pigment-
4 Reactive dyed • All general risks +
• Crease marks for dark colours
5 100% of same • All general risks
material/composition
excluding wool, silk, viscose
6 Fabrics including elastan, • All general risks
viscose
7 Dyed Silk • All general risks +
• Stiff hand feel
• Patch
• Colour damage
8 wool • All general risks +
• Insects critical

9 Mélange greige and finished • All general risks

fabric
11 Denim PFD • All general risks
Prepared For Dying
12 Denim rigid • All general risks

13 Denim super stretch • All general risks applicable

but below are the critical ones:
• Shrinkage
• Stretchability loss
• Weight loss

Global Product Quality Department 6 (9)

June 2020 Version 1.2

General Information
H&M Routine for Storage of Fabric/Material, Semi-finished & Finished products GPQD-000234
Valid for all brands in H&M group

FBB: PU • All general risks +

FBB: TPU
FBB: Slider/Metal Trims/Zipper
FBB: EVA/ TPR/Rubber Sole
• Embossing pattern loss
• All general risks +
• Migration/Yellowing
• All general risks +
• Oxidization Risk
• Yellowing -White & neon colors
• All general risks +
• Shrinkage
• yellowing -White & neon colors

2.3. Material specific critical risks – additional to general risks – Hardgoods

22 Wood/Bamboo • All general risks

+
• Shrinkage/swelling
Borer/fungus
• Delamination of joint
• Discoloration
23 Natural straw/Jute/Rattan/Cork • All general risk
+
• All natural material: Mould , Insects, dirtiness
• For dyed jute: Cross staining, Dry/Wet Rubbing
for dark colours, Phenolic Yellowing for
white/light colours/Bad Smell/Color Change
• Rattan: Mould/Bad Smell, shade, breakage due to
dryness, insect, dirtiness

24 Glass • All general risk

+
• Foggy surface
25 Ceramic (semi-finished, or, • All general risk
finished product storage) +
• Less glossy, less shininess
• Broken
• Scratches
• Chips
26 Plastic • All general risk

27 Paper • All general risk

+
• Smell due to moisture

Global Product Quality Department 7 (9)

June 2020 Version 1.2

General Information
H&M Routine for Storage of Fabric/Material, Semi-finished & Finished products GPQD-000234
Valid for all brands in H&M group

28 Candle • All general risk

+
• Reduce fragrance
• Melting (if storage temperature is too high)
• Yellowing (based on storage condition and
fragrance type)
29-30 Metal (all metal) • All general risks
+

• Corrosion
• Scratching
• Chip off
• Broken

3. Required tests – additional to Risk Assessment

Before production/next process can start, the below tests must be performed with a pass result
on fabric stage and/or on stored produced quantities
• Phenolic yellowing (only for white and light colours)
• pH
• Wash test (rubbing/ staining/ cross-staining/ shrinkage/ appearance etc.)
• Stretch & recovery
• Tear strength/ tensile/ bursting
• GSM/ weight
• Other relevant tests based on risk assessment

Additional checkpoints on fabric and product

• Shade verification (side-to-side, end-to-end and roll-to-roll)
• Shade verification between products/within one country
• Moisture check
• Print quality check
• Hand feel

Global Product Quality Department 8 (9)

June 2020 Version 1.2

General Information
H&M Routine for Storage of Fabric/Material, Semi-finished & Finished products GPQD-000234
Valid for all brands in H&M group

4. Fabric/Material storage conditions

• Temperature should be kept at 22 degree Celcius

• Humidity should be max 65% RH
• Goods should be stored on pallets (not wooden), 50 cm away from the walls
• Fabric/Material/Heavyknit Yarn should not be stacked too high: maximum 5 feet/ 1.5 meters
• Fabric/Material containing Elastan can be stored with max 3 layers of rolls
• Fabric/Material stored in rolls must be in pyramid form
• Fabric/Material should be covered with dark fabric or in big non-transparent poly bags to avoid
phenolic yellowing, colour change and moisture/dust
• Leather: If in pallets, maximum 1 layers of pallets; 3,000 sqft in each pallet.
• Leather: If in bundles, maximum 7 sides in each bundle, and grain surface always outside the
roll, never rolling the leather with grain inside wards. Maximum 3 layers of rollers piled up.
• No direct sunlight
• Supplier must keep record in-out data and follow FIFO method

5. Semi-finished and Finished goods storage conditions

• Temperature should be kept 22 at degree Celcius

• Humidity should be max 65% RH
• Good should be stored on pallets (not wooden), 50 cm away from the walls
• Goods should be stored in cartons/ boxes to avoid moisture/dust – loosely packed
• Bra: must follow ABC packing guideline
• Products with rubber, foil and flock print: must be packed in individual polybag with desiccant
inside
• Goods should be properly folded and packed in cartons/ boxes, not allowed to make bundles
• The Supplier need to make sure that products are clean, dry and ironed before Packing for
shipping.
• Heavy knit product should be stored unwashed
• Cartons must be in good condition; completely dry, clean and with no insects before packing
• The date of packing must be marked on cartons. Supplier must keep record of stock, in-out data.
NQC will check/ HMQC randomly cross check.
• 100g Super-dry should be used in master polybag
• After 8 weeks the moisture must be checked and Super-dry changed with records kept

The Supplier is accountable and responsible to ensure that above routines are implemented and
followed. Turn to H&M regional office if any support is needed.

Global Product Quality Department 9 (9)

June 2020 Version 1.2

General Information