The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday announced suspending action in the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.

The action will be suspended for a year beginning today, an USTR release said.

The Office of the USTR yesterday announced suspending action in the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.
The action will be suspended for a year beginning today.
The suspension follows the historic trade and economic deal reached between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping announced by the White House on November 1.

The suspension follows the historic trade and economic deal reached between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping announced by the White House on November 1.

During the suspension period, no party will accrue liability for or be required to pay the fees on maritime transport services and duties.

The United States will negotiate with China pursuant to Section 301 regarding the issues raised in this investigation. While taking these actions, the United States will continue its domestic efforts and its discussions with key allies and partners on revitalising American shipbuilding.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

OETI Slovakia, a subsidiary of the Austrian independent testing and certification service provider OETI, is launching the new “Fit & Proof” label.

The label provides manufacturers of apparel, personal protective equipment (PPE), and uniforms with independent garment testing for fit, workmanship, and durability. The service is now available at the new OETI location in Žilina, Slovakia.

OETI Slovakia has launched the ‘Fit & Proof’ label offering independent testing for garment fit, workmanship, and durability.
Based in Žilina, it supports apparel, PPE, and uniform manufacturers.
The service helps brands cut return rates, detect flaws early, and ensure consistency.
It also aids retailers, e-commerce, and public procurement in verifying garment quality and performance.

The goal is to ensure product quality, reduce return rates, and verify garment fit in accordance with customer specifications and the finished size chart.

Broad Field of Application: for Retail, E-Commerce, and Public Procurement

Private-label retailers and brands can communicate their quality standards transparently with the label. Online retailers benefit from reduced return rates due to improved fit. Public institutions gain assurance during the tendering and procurement process for fit and durable, tested garments.

Detect Defects Early, Minimise Complaints

The ‘Fit & Proof’ label is based on comprehensive Fit testing on real test subjects by our experienced clothing engineers – a key advantage over standard material tests.

The service includes:

• Fit testing: With real test wearers to assess size consistency and pattern accuracy
• Workmanship assessment: Visual and functional checks of seams, closures, and construction details
• Durability testing: Stress tests simulating washing, abrasion, and everyday wear to determine long-term product performance

These analyses help manufacturers and brands identify potential weaknesses early and optimise product quality. At the same time, independent validation and transparent customer communication with the OETI ‘Fit & Proof’ label enhance brand reputation and strengthen competitive positioning.

“Many manufacturers only test materials, but not the finished garment,” says Dana Rástocná-Illová PhD, Managing Director of OETI Slovakia. Our goal is to help manufacturers and brands to detect product flaws early and reduce returns and complaints.’

International Demand for Verified Garment Quality

‘We are pleased now to offer the ‘Fit & Proof’ service internationally. Our global OETI offices – including our location in Bangladesh – have already expressed strong interest in actively promoting this service in their markets,’ adds Dr Miriam Scheffelmeier, Head of Global Marketing & Sales at OETI.

The new location in Žilina expands OETI’s lab infrastructure and enables close cooperation with local universities and international brands.

As part of the TESTEX Group, OETI Slovakia offers internationally recognised testing and certification services, ensuring greater transparency, sustainability, and quality throughout the global textile and leather supply chain.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (MS)

Zalando, Europe’s leading fashion and lifestyle destination, announced a five-year strategic partnership with DFB, the German national football federation. This major collaboration makes Zalando a main partner of DFB’s Men’s, Women’s, and Youth teams until 2030.

With over 8 million memberships, DFB is the largest national sports association in the world. Anchoring the brand in the DFB universe and the football culture, the partnership will resonate with fans of football and style among new and existing Zalando customers and cement its position at the intersection of sport and fashion. It marks a major milestone for Zalando’s strategic goal of further expanding as a lifestyle destination.

The comprehensive partnership with DFB grants Zalando a wide range of exclusive marketing and activation rights, creating exciting opportunities for football enthusiasts in Germany and beyond to connect with Zalando. Key elements include:

Zalando has signed a five-year partnership with the German Football Association, becoming a main partner across Men’s, Women’s and Youth teams.
The deal includes branding on training and pre-match kits, major media visibility and exclusive fan activations.
Zalando will use the collaboration to connect sport and style, enhance loyalty benefits and create new football-inspired campaigns and content.

• Prominent branding: Zalando’s logo will be featured on all pre-match and training kits for DFB’s Men’s, Women’s, and Youth teams.
• Extensive media presence: The partnership includes a full suite of marketing rights, such as significant stadium LED board visibility, cam carpets, media backdrop branding, and a strong integrated social media presence.
• Exclusive activations: Zalando will host a unique, in-camp studio during all major tournaments, creating exclusive behind-the-scenes content for Zalando customers. Zalando Plus customers in Germany will get exclusive access to raffles of tickets and gear.

The partnership is introduced through a dedicated campaign, showcasing that football is about more than just the game; it’s about style and attitude, and how owning that style with confidence creates icons beyond the pitch. The campaign references DFB legends and their memorable looks and performances, including Franz Beckenbauer’s legendary collar and Berti Vogts’ oversized fits – proof that style has always been integral to success.

The campaign not only looks back at the fashion heritage of the last decades but to a new age of style makers and star players such as Florian Wirtz, Joshua Kimmich and Karim Adeyemi.

James Rothwell, Senior Vice President Marketing at Zalando, says: “Football and fashion have a long history together, and collectively play a major role in German culture. We are delighted to become a main partner of the DFB, and to build on that legacy. We hope to inspire a new generation of fans to find confidence in their style on and off the pitch. Sport is a major focus for Zalando, and we have seen significant growth of sports audiences and brands on our platform. Through this partnership, we are excited to insert our brand into the most passionate, engaged cultural conversation in Germany, connect fans with incredible content, assortment and experiences, and to create access to special moments for fans. We look forward to celebrating key sporting events over the next five years with a diverse and passionate football community.”

Holger Blask, Chairman of the Management Board at DFB GmbH und Co. KG says: “We are delighted to welcome Zalando as a new, strong, and simply ideal main partner by our side. As a leading international e-commerce and fashion company rooted in Germany, Zalando represents creativity, diversity, and a forward-looking approach. Football and DFB are more than just about sport – they are an expression of community and emotional connection. Together with Zalando, we aim to set new standards – connecting sport, lifestyle, and fashion with digital culture. This partnership demonstrates a perfect synergy between tradition and innovation, emotion and style.”

Zalando will further leverage the partnership by enhancing its loyalty experience. An exclusive “Plus Zone” debuts for Zalando Plus customers in Germany, integrated within the sports landing page and serving as the central hub for special raffles and partnerships starting today. Plus members can enter to win tickets for the Germany vs. Slovakia match in Leipzig (Application open from 6-10th November). In addition, an exclusive raffle will offer 5 jerseys of the new World Cup kit signed by the entire team (application open from 11-18th November). The Plus Zone will be continually updated with exclusive opportunities to join the football excitement.

Further exciting elements of the partnership will be unveiled in 2026.

The partnership underpins Zalando’s ambition to further expand as a lifestyle destination, moving beyond a generalist offering to provide a curated, high-performance experience. In the last few years, Zalando has significantly expanded its expertise in key areas like football, running and cycling, onboarding technical assortment, unveiling dedicated onsite experiences for customers for different sport types and authentically embedding the Zalando brand in sports culture through supporting major sporting events in Europe.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)