TV3 programme Target is standing by its testing for formaldehyde in clothes.

The results of the tests claimed levels of the chemical in clothing from China were hundreds of times above international standards.

The Retailers Association has since done its own tests and found no traces of formaldehyde. It claims Target used the wrong tests and did not apply accepted standards.

Target Executive Producer Laurie Clarke says at the time of the testing there were no standards in place in New Zealand. He says it is only because of the programme's story that standards have since been implemented. Mr Clarke says he stands by the tests.