Around 20 percent of luxury clothing from 255 batches failed quality tests, the city’s market watchdog said yesterday, including brands such as Coach and Tommy Hilfiger.

They failed tests for decomposable carcinogenic aromatic amine dye, pH index, color fastness, fiber content, pilling resistance, tensile strength, extractable heavy metal and instructions, the Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation said.

The clothing was sold at Global Harbor, Jiuguang Department Store, Bailian Outlets Plaza, Raffles City, Shanghai New World Daimaru, Jing’an Kerry Center, Grand Gateway 66, Longemont Shopping Mall and Shimao International Plaza, the administration said.

Skirts branded Voice of Voices sold at the Bailian Outlets Plaza contained banned aromatic amine dye which can lead to cancer.

The amount of benzidine on different parts of the clothing reached up to 71 milligrams per kilogram compared with the national standard limit of 20mg/kg.

A batch of Coach knitted clothing for women failed for pilling resistance. It was sold at the Grand Gateway 66.

Six batches failed for fiber content that didn’t match what was on the label.

A batch of men’s trousers from Tommy Hilfiger sold at the Changning Raffles City had poor color fastness. Such dye can bleed into the skin, which can be harmful.

The businesses have been ordered to stop sales and check their stocks.