APPAREL QUALITY STANDARDS MANUAL - …

1 APPARELQUALITY STANDARDS MANUAL -2- QUALITY ASSURANCE: APPAREL STANDARDS MANUALLast updated: 6/28/2018 TABLE OF CONTENTSI ntroduction4QA Sample Lead Time5 design Approval6 Submission Requirements7 Fit7 Lab8 TOP9 Evaluation Disposition10 Garment Sizing, Fit and Ease11 Misses and Women s Body Measurements12 APPAREL Grade Rules13 Basic Garment Measurements17 Fabric & Garment Performance Testing 19 Knits20 Wovens21 Leather & Suede22 Additional Testing23 Minimum Construction Standards24 Garment Labeling Requirements26 Brand Name, Size, Country of Origin26 Fabric Content, Fabric Care and RN #26 One-size Garments27 Branded Labels For Tops, Outerwear and Bottoms27 Additional Garment Label Requirements27 Common Labeling Mistakes Trademarks27 Cashmere and Other Luxury Fabrics29 Genuine and Faux Fur Labeling29 Leather Labeling29 Packaging30-3- QUALITY ASSURANCE: APPAREL STANDARDS MANUALLast updated: 6/28/2018 TABLE OF CONTENTSCONTINUEDP roduction Inspection31 Pre-shipment Inspection31 APPAREL Inspection Sampling Plan32 Post-shipment Inspection33 California Prop 65 Compliance 31 CPSIA of 2008 Compliance32 Measurement Guidelines for Finished Garments Tops35 Measurement Guidelines for Finished Garments Bottoms39 Appendix A: APPAREL QA STANDARDS Checklist43-4- QUALITY ASSURANCE.

2 APPAREL STANDARDS MANUALLast updated: 6/28/2018 INTRODUCTIONQ uality Assurance Means No SurprisesHSN s QUALITY Assurance (QA) program exists to ensure the proper execution of every product we buy and sell. This MANUAL contains specific information concerning the minimum QUALITY STANDARDS HSN expects in the product it purchases. In addition, we expect our vendors to comply with all applicable legal requirements concerning the manufacture, sale and advertising of products. In certain instances, HSN STANDARDS may be higher than the stated legal minimums. It is the vendor s responsibility to read and understand the published guidelines that pertain to the industry.

3 These include but are not limited to: The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act: The Wool Products Labeling Act: The Fur Products Labeling Act: The Amended Care Labeling Rule: The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. : California Proposition 65 at: The information in this MANUAL , in HSN s Supply Chain Requirements MANUAL , and in the Master Terms and ConditionsBecause QUALITY cannot be inspected into products, it is the goal of the HSN QUALITY Assurance program to collaborate with our vendor as early as practical in order to prevent defects. This partnership extends to design and materials selection before the product is made, and includes all points in the manufacturing, packaging, shipping and post-delivery processes.

4 Therefore, it is within the purview of the HSN QUALITY Assurance program to maintain a close, direct partnership with our vendors and their manufacturing facilities in order to support continuous improvement efforts and uphold the most efficient and effective manufacturing practices. It may be necessary at any time to visit a vendor s facility to ensure we mitigate risks to delivering 100% acceptable product. Our vendors are expected to support our efforts throughout the supply chain to provide our customers with an unsurpassed purchase experience. Our vendors are also expected to maintain world-class QUALITY and delivery. Such expectations cannot be met unless our vendors work with us and maintain a comprehensive QUALITY program of their own.

5 All shipments must be inspected for compliance before HSN ever sees the QA prepared this document to help you through the process of submitting APPAREL products to HSN. This document contains general information. It should not be considered a definitive source of regulatory ContactsPlease contact the following individuals with any questions you have:Kim Dixon |Sr. Manager of Fit | | Radcliffe| QA Manager: Softlinesand Jewelry| | Edmonds | Senior Technologist: Softlines| | ASSURANCE: APPAREL STANDARDS MANUALLast updated: 6/28/2018QA SAMPLE LEAD TIME QA Sample Lead TimeThe QA process is a critical part of making sure we maintain a reputation of trust and reliability with our customers we must ensure that our customers get the best QUALITY , greatest value, and safest first step in that process is to submit the QA sample(s) and supporting documentation by the required number of days prior to your ship below table outlines the QA sample and product specification sheet lead time key milestones are outlined in Appendix B of the HSN VednorSupply Chain Requirements MANUAL .

6 Proper timing of the QA process is important to ensure proper review of QA samples, specifications and proposed product claims. Failure to comply with the required lead time STANDARDS can result in fees for late QA samples. The Compliance section of the HSN Supply Chain Requirements MANUAL outlines the fees associated with late QA StepQA Sample and Product SpecificationSheet Lead TimeFit60 days Before Ship Date40 days BeforeShip Date (select domestic manufacturers)Top of Production (TOP)7 days Before Ship Date-6- QUALITY ASSURANCE: APPAREL STANDARDS MANUALLast updated: 6/28/2018 design APPROVALTo ensure the accurate execution of design intent, streamline the fit approval process and optimize sampling requirements, the technical development process will begin only after the style has been adopted and all design detail has been approved by the HSN Buyer, Vendor and Buyer Market ReviewTo serve as a record of styles purchased during the Buyer s meetings, the Vendor should provide a reference sample and associated HSN Tear Sheet for each style reviewed.

7 The HSN Tear Sheet will contain the following information: Image or CAD showing design and style intent Technical Sketch to illustrate garment silhouette and proportion Fabric type, weight and content Minimum 5 square of fabric swatch in bulk QUALITY construction, weight and content (accurate print and color not required) Tear Sheet template can be found at the following link: / Designer Review Upon HSN Buyer approval of design , the vendor will submit an updated reference sample (with all fabric and design revisions incorporated) and a revised Tear Sheet to the designer/celebrity (if applicable) for approval Upon completion of design approval by the HSN Buyer, Vendor and designer/celebrity, the vendor will create/submit the product specification sheet and submit a design -approved sample to HSN QA to start the technical fit process.

8 All design revisions made by the HSN Buyer, Vendor and designer/celebrity must be incorporated into QA technical fit samples prior to submission. ONLY design approved samples should be submitted to QA for technical fit review. Samples submitted without design approval will NOT be subjected to the QA technical fit review and will be sent to the HSN Buyer for review of design . New QA technical fit samples may be required depending on the extent of design changes needed after HSN Buyer Considerations for design Fit Type Selection When creating the specification sheet, the Vendor must indicate the Fit Type as approved for each design . This provides HSN QA with visibility to the designer s intent regarding design and wearing ease.

9 Fit Types Include: Close Fitted, Fitted, Semi-Fitted, Loose, Very Loose Fabric Characteristics All fit samples must be constructed with the same fabric construction, weight and content as for bulk production. This allows QA to confirm that the fabric properties are appropriate for the design and Fit Type for each style, and ensure the appropriate amount of ease to achieve the designer s intent. All garments must be made with fabric, linings and trims that have compatible performance characteristics. ( lined garments made with stretch fabric must also be lined with stretch lining). Size Class Compatibility (alpha versus numeric) All styles must be offered in the size class that is appropriate for the style, fabric performance, design intent and fit type.

10 Styles developed in non-stretch fabric, with a fit type of Semi-Fitted or closer must be offered in numeric sizing. The largest grade between garment sizes should not exceed the amount of wearing ease of the assigned Fit Type. -7- QUALITY ASSURANCE: APPAREL STANDARDS MANUALLast updated: 6/28/2018 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTSHow to Submit Your Samples to QAA complete sample submission for APPAREL will consist of the following:Complete product specification sheet submitted on the HSN Vendor Portal Include all component and product details Include all proposed care instructions, features and benefits, objective and performance claims, and all talking points for the on-air presentation Include all garment spec measurements for Missy s base size M Include all claim substantiation, fabric/garment fiber content, care and performance testing, label copy, inserts and instruction Include all required Prop 65 and CPSC compliance testing and documentation Prior to sending a sample to HSN QA print and affix the sample label.