Questions for a clothing and sewn product expert

Search questions

Item flaws and condition

01Item flaws and conditionWhat flaws were found in the submitted item and where are they located?

02Item flaws and conditionWhat signs confirm damage to the fabric, seams, lining, trim or fittings?

03Item flaws and conditionHow do the identified flaws affect the intended use and marketable appearance of the clothing?

04Item flaws and conditionAre there signs of use, repair, alteration or other changes to the item?

05Item flaws and conditionDoes the item’s actual condition match the description in the submitted acceptance or inspection record?

06Item flaws and conditionAre the items and documents sufficient to answer the questions without additional tests?

07Item flaws and conditionWhat limitations arise from changes in the item’s condition or missing source data?

Causes and origin of the defect

08Causes and origin of the defectWhat caused the identified flaw, within the available signs and materials?

09Causes and origin of the defectWhat signs link the defect to fabric manufacture, tailoring, use or care?

10Causes and origin of the defectDo the available signs distinguish a manufacturing flaw from damage arising after the item was handed over?

11Causes and origin of the defectCould the identified damage have arisen under the described wear, storage, washing or dry-cleaning conditions?

12Causes and origin of the defectWhat alternative causes were considered, and what supports or limits their assessment?

13Causes and origin of the defectIs there evidence to establish when the flaw arose, and within what limits?

14Causes and origin of the defectCan a link be traced between a particular exposure and the observed changes to the item?

Washing, care and dry cleaning

15Washing, care and dry cleaningWhat changes in dimensions, shape, colour or material structure were found after the stated exposure?

16Washing, care and dry cleaningDo the confirmed care conditions comply with the recommendations on the label and in accompanying documents?

17Washing, care and dry cleaningWhat signs of shrinkage, colour bleeding, deformation, stains or trim damage were found?

18Washing, care and dry cleaningDo the materials allow the item’s condition before dry-cleaning handover to be distinguished from its condition on return?

19Washing, care and dry cleaningWhat information about the item, products used and treatment settings is needed to assess the cause of damage?

20Washing, care and dry cleaningIs the conclusion on the defect’s cause justified without examining the original condition and treatment used?

Construction, seam and fitting quality

21Construction, seam and fitting qualityWhat defects in stitching, seams, joins and component finishing were found?

22Construction, seam and fitting qualityAre there signs of skewed panels, skipped stitches, seam slippage or assembly faults?

23Construction, seam and fitting qualityDo the item’s actual tailoring and construction conform to the agreed sample and assignment?

24Construction, seam and fitting qualityWithin the available data, what caused the identified malfunction of the zipper, snaps or other fittings?

25Construction, seam and fitting qualityHow do the fabric properties and join quality relate to the damage found?

26Construction, seam and fitting qualityHow did repairs or alterations affect the item’s condition and the properties under examination?

Size, labelling and conformity with the order

27Size, labelling and conformity with the orderDo the item’s actual dimensions conform to its labelling and the agreed order terms?

28Size, labelling and conformity with the orderWhat discrepancies were found between the item and its product description, contract, specification or sample?

29Size, labelling and conformity with the orderWhat composition, manufacturer and care information appears on the submitted labels and documents?

30Size, labelling and conformity with the orderAre the available methods sufficient to verify the stated material composition, or are tests required?

31Size, labelling and conformity with the orderDo completeness, model, trim and fittings match the agreed order?

32Size, labelling and conformity with the orderTo what extent can findings on individual items characterise the submitted batch?

Expert report review

33Expert report reviewAre the item, photographs, documents and source information sufficient for the conclusions reached?

34Expert report reviewAre the chosen methods and their applicability to the material and questions justified?

35Expert report reviewAre the defect’s signs, inspection results and reasoning leading to its cause described?

36Expert report reviewWere labelling, care, dry-cleaning, wear and alteration history taken into account?

37Expert report reviewDoes the opinion contain contradictions, undisclosed assumptions or unanswered questions?

38Expert report reviewDo the certainty of the conclusions and their extension to the batch match the scope of the items actually examined?

For a review

39For a reviewAre the fabric, seam and fitting properties described sufficiently?

40For a reviewIs the conclusion on the causes of the flaws substantiated?

41For a reviewWere wearing, washing, cleaning and storage conditions considered?

42For a reviewDo the findings address the questions posed?

43For a reviewAre the source materials and their limitations described adequately?

44For a reviewCan the examination process be verified from the description and appendices?

45For a reviewAre the analytical section and final findings consistent?

46For a reviewAre established facts distinguished from assumptions?

47For a reviewHave significant alternative explanations been considered?

48For a reviewWhich deficiencies may affect the report's validity?

These formulations are a starting point. Questions are refined according to the objects, available materials and the expert's competence.

Wording is refined for the specific item, material, defect and available documents. An example question does not mean it can be answered without inspection or necessary tests.

Scope of the assignment

The commodity specialist examines the agreed features of the item and causes of flaws within their specialised knowledge. Legal questions of liability, refunds and amounts recoverable are resolved through the prescribed procedures. In a court-appointed examination, the court determines the final questions. Laboratory work is agreed separately.

You can insert the selected question into your enquiry. Documents for court.

Inquiry

Describe the item, defect and circumstances

Send photographs of the item, labels, markings and defects, purchase documents, the contract, product listing, seller’s refusal, dry-cleaning documents or the seller’s opinion. Free telephone consultation for up to 15 minutes.

whether the clothing has a defect;
whether it relates to manufacture, care, dry cleaning, use or tailoring;
whether the item matches its size, description, composition and labelling;
which document is needed: an inspection record, specialist opinion or review;
when laboratory testing is required.

What needs to be establishedYour roleYour nameContact phone number or email *Type of clothing / itemBriefly describe the defect and situation *Attach photos, videos, receipt, labels, contract, refusal or opinion I give consent to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of considering and responding to my enquiry.

How data is processed: Personal Data Processing Policy. Attach only the materials needed; where possible, conceal unnecessary personal data about other people.

Free telephone consultation for up to 15 minutes. Before inspection, retain the item, labels, markings, receipt, packaging, care instructions and correspondence where possible.

Attachments: up to 10 files of up to 10 MB each, with a maximum combined size of 15 MB. If a file is rejected, the enquiry is not sent.

Questions for the expert