China cracks down on fraudulent ‘sheep cashmere’ clothing labels

Investigations into the Chinese clothing market have revealed widespread consumer deception regarding products labeled as ‘100% sheep cashmere’ (mianyang rong). Experts and authorities clarify that ‘cashmere’ (rong) is a term legally reserved for fine down from goats, camels, or yak, whereas sheep produce only ‘wool’ (mao).

Reports indicate that many retailers and e-commerce sellers are using the term ‘sheep cashmere’ to market products that are actually standard sheep wool or, in some cases, entirely synthetic chemical fibers. This practice exploits the significant price gap between raw materials; while goat cashmere can cost between 600 and 800 yuan per kilogram, sheep wool typically ranges from 40 to 60 yuan.

The State Administration for Market Regulation has intervened, issuing rectification notices and demanding that industry associations abolish unauthorized group standards that created the misleading ‘sheep cashmere’ terminology. Experts from the National Fur and Plush Quality Inspection and Testing Center noted that sheep wool and goat cashmere have distinct microscopic structures and tactile properties, making it impossible to transform sheep wool into true cashmere through combing processes.