Clothing Industry Standards Summary – September 2025 Monthly Overview

Looking back at September 2025, the clothing industry’s standardization landscape saw two influential standards releases focusing on sizing and dimension indicators for apparel. The month was marked by the publication of EN ISO 8559-2:2025 and ISO 8559-2:2025, together representing a coordinated advance in how primary and secondary body dimensions are reflected in garment size designation systems. For professionals ranging from product designers, quality managers, and compliance officers to researchers and procurement specialists, this overview distills what these changes mean, the context driving this harmonization, and actionable recommendations for compliance.

With only two—but highly impactful—standards published, September’s activity signals not just a routine update but a notable re-alignment of global and European clothing sizing practices. This article supports those seeking a concise, analytical synthesis to stay current and maintain competitive operational standards.

Monthly Overview: September 2025

September 2025 brought a focused yet impactful standardization update in the clothing industry, centering on size designation. Key organizations—the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)—jointly released new editions of Size designation of clothes – Part 2: Primary and secondary dimension indicators (EN ISO 8559-2:2025 and ISO 8559-2:2025).

This dual publication reflects ongoing international collaboration under the Vienna Agreement to ensure harmonized technical criteria and regulatory approaches across borders. Compared to the usual spread of topic areas (from textile test methods to sustainability), September 2025’s publications were tightly focused on body-based sizing systems, responding to persistent industry demands for clarity and interoperability in sizing.

The simultaneous release of the European-adopted and ISO versions means that organizations can standardize on a single approach—minimizing market fragmentation, supporting global trade, and improving garment fit for end users. This thematic alignment suggests a sector-wide prioritization of consumer satisfaction, traceability, and digital readiness in sizing practices.

Standards Published This Month

EN ISO 8559-2:2025 – Size designation of clothes – Part 2: Primary and secondary dimension indicators

Full Title: Size designation of clothes – Part 2: Primary and secondary dimension indicators (ISO 8559-2:2025)

This European Standard, EN ISO 8559-2:2025, provides a comprehensive reference for standardized size designation of garments, specifying which primary and secondary body dimensions are used in size labelling for all major types of clothing. The document applies to men’s, women’s, boys’, and girls’ apparel and encompasses a broad variety of garment types, from outerwear and underwear to corsetry, hosiery, gloves, and headwear.

Scope and Key Requirements

• The standard establishes a body-measurement-based sizing system, offering a flexible yet consistent model for labeling garment sizes internationally.
• Primary dimensions (e.g., chest girth, waist girth, bust girth, height, neck girth, hand girth) are to be clearly communicated in size codes for different garments.
• Secondary dimensions provide optional or additional fit information (e.g., hip girth, inside leg length, weight for pantyhose, cup size for bras).
• Explicit requirements are given for labelling and marking, ensuring a consumer-centric approach through clear, durable, and legible designations.

Who Should Comply

• Garment manufacturers and retailers seeking market access across Europe and globally.
• Quality and compliance managers responsible for technical files and CE marking.
• Procurement officers managing technical specifications in B2B supply chains.

Notable Features and Regulatory Landscape

• EN ISO 8559-2:2025 supersedes the 2020 edition, bringing full technical alignment with ISO 8559-2:2025.
• The inclusion of Annex B introduces more robust supporting size information and aligns labelling practices with digital retail and responsible consumption goals.
• Developed in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, it emphasizes accessible, transparent sizing information across the garment lifecycle.

Key highlights:

• Harmonizes European and international sizing criteria
• Detailed garment category-by-category tables specifying which dimensions apply
• Supports digital labelling and e-commerce traceability

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 8559-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 8559-2:2025 – Size designation of clothes – Part 2: Primary and secondary dimension indicators

Full Title: Size designation of clothes – Part 2: Primary and secondary dimension indicators

The international edition, ISO 8559-2:2025, mirrors the European standard in substance and structure, reflecting efforts for maximum global harmonization. It represents the ISO Technical Committee TC 133’s joint work with European experts to set universally aspired benchmarks for clarity, fit, and transparency in clothing sizes.

Scope and Key Requirements

• Specifies standard primary and secondary body measurements for a wide variety of garment types, enabling accurate, body-based size designations across regions and brands.
• Clarifies the distinction between size codes based on the wearer's measurements (as defined in ISO 8559-1) and garment dimensions, supporting consistent expectations for fit.
• Recommends precise and unambiguous labelling methods, including use of pictograms (as standardized in ISO 8559-1) and clear range statements (e.g., height 174–178 cm).

Who Should Comply

• Apparel manufacturers and brand owners with international supply chains or export ambitions.
• Retailers, importers, and digital platforms operating globally.
• Anyone specifying contract garment requirements or QA/QC processes in the clothing sector.

Notable Features and Regulatory Landscape

• This is a technical revision of ISO 8559-2:2017, now incorporating new supporting annexes (notably Annex B for supporting size information).
• It directly supports responsible production and consumption by ensuring size designations are transparent, consistent, and transferable—even across digital platforms.
• Facilitates new forms of customer engagement (e.g., digital fitting, virtual try-on) by providing consistent, internationally understood size indicators.

Key highlights:

• Enables interoperability between regional sizing systems
• Supports physical and digital labelling (retail and e-commerce)
• Introduces updated references and detailed application tables for all principal garment categories

Access the full standard:View ISO 8559-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Reviewing September 2025’s standards activity in the clothing industry, several critical themes and industry trajectories emerge:

• Global Harmonization: These publications demonstrate an intentional alignment between European and international technical standards, reducing complexity and supporting seamless trade across markets.
• Body-Based Sizing Supersedes Manufacturer-Specific Systems: The focus on body measurements (rather than garment dimensions) marks a decisive industry trend, addressing consumer frustration with inconsistent sizing and reducing returns due to poor fit—especially in online shopping.
• Digital and E-Commerce Focus: Both standards underscore requirements for labelling clarity, scalability, and digital readiness, enabling new retail experiences like virtual fitting rooms and enhancing transparency throughout the supply chain.
• Sustainability and Responsible Consumption: In line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, transparent, body-based size designation supports more efficient production, less waste, and increased consumer satisfaction.
• Market Access and Regulatory Consistency: For manufacturers and retailers, the harmonized standards reduce barriers to entry in both EU and global markets and facilitate compliance documentation under various regulatory frameworks.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations across the clothing sector, transitioning to and maintaining compliance with these newly published standards should now be prioritized. Consider these practical guidance points:

1. Technical Review and Gap Analysis

   • Assess current size designation practices (patterns, labels, packaging, digital catalogues) against the tables and labelling prescriptions in EN ISO 8559-2:2025/ISO 8559-2:2025.
   • Identify which products, lines, or regions need updates to maintain consistency.

2. Cross-Functional Implementation

   • Engage product development, marketing, and operations to re-define sizing labels and ensure accurate body-measurement-based codes.
   • Update label templates (physical and digital) for compliance, prioritizing clarity in both pictograms and text.
   • Provide training for retail, customer service, and e-commerce teams on the new size designation logic and customer communication protocols.

3. Supplier and Partner Alignment

   • Communicate the standards’ requirements upstream and downstream—ensuring raw materials and finished goods suppliers adopt compliant labelling and technicals.
   • Use the new standards as mandatory requirements in procurement documents and supplier agreements.

4. Timeline and Transition

   • The European standard must be adopted by member countries no later than March 2026; conflicting national standards must be withdrawn by this deadline.
   • Plan backwards from this date for phased rollouts, inventory transitions, and staff onboarding.
   • For global operations, immediate harmonization between regional and international lines will minimize logistical complexity and customer confusion.

5. Resources for Getting Started

   • Full access to both standards—complete with example tables, sample labels, and explanatory annexes—is available through iTeh Standards.
   • Consider engaging with national standards bodies or industry associations for advisory workshops, detailed guidance, and support with digital labelling implementation.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from September 2025

September 2025’s tightly focused standards activity for the clothing industry should not be underestimated. Both EN ISO 8559-2:2025 and ISO 8559-2:2025 set the stage for a new era of harmonized, body-based size designation—delivering benefits for consumers, streamlining cross-border trading, and supporting digital transformation.

For professionals across the value chain, the imperative is clear: review, adapt, and update size codes, labels, and supporting documentation to stay aligned with these best-practice benchmarks. Early adopters will position themselves to capture new market opportunities, meet rising consumer expectations for transparency and fit, and reduce return rates in both physical and e-commerce channels.

Staying up to date with these standards—easily accessible via iTeh Standards—strengthens your organization’s compliance, operational excellence, and reputation as a future-ready industry participant.

Dive deeper into the detailed requirements and practical examples by accessing both EN ISO 8559-2:2025 and ISO 8559-2:2025 through iTeh Standards.