Important updates on rules for measurements, material and images

This article explains the latest updates to our article onboarding validation rules. You will learn which specific measurements, materials and image requirements have been relaxed or removed, helping you get your assortment live faster.

The Rule Simplification and Reduction Programme is designed to streamline your article onboarding experience by removing and simplifying complex validation rules. We understand that partners know their product taxonomy best. We aim to validate strictly what is legally required and empower you as the primary source of truth for your articles.

• Faster onboarding: Have your articles online faster with reduced manual rejections.

• Reduced friction: Less need to ask questions to Partner Care or constantly resubmit articles.

• Resource savings: You won't need to reshoot images for your articles or struggle with non-essential data discrepancies.

Historically, our onboarding systems validated every data field with a high degree of strictness. Beginning in September 2026, the new framework will reduce manual rejection rates and partner friction by implementing the following changes:

15 measurement attributes (including width, height, length, circumference, diameter, case height and strap length) are no longer required for article creation.

Secondary composition fields (such as lining, backing, bottom, sleeve and inserts) are now strictly required only if they exceed 30% of the total article composition. The value "not_applicable" is no longer used.

* These rejection reasons will still exist for other purposes but won’t be used in this situation

We have significantly relaxed our image guidelines to empower your brand identity and reduce the need for Zalando-specific reshoots. 

We now allow the following:    

• Flexible image backgrounds: Modelviews and packshots featuring different background colours or location/lifestyle settings are now accepted as compliant views and catalogue views.   

• Lifestyle packshots: Lifestyle and 3D packshots are now explicitly permitted for Footwear and Accessories. Catalogue view requirements still remain (full front of article visible).   

• Shoe direction flexibility: Primary shoe packshots can be shot from any angle, as long as there is full silhouette visibility to provide an idea of the tip, sole, shaft, and fastening (they no longer must point to the left).   

• Barefoot models: We have completely removed the barefoot model restriction, meaning barefoot models are no longer limited to specific categories like swimwear or yoga.   

• Text overlays: Text overlays or boxes are now allowed on additional image views, provided the text is in English.

Additionally, the Premium/Designer: Minimum Image Count validation (PSERR_182) is being deprecated, and all partners will now go through the PSERR_180 validation, wherein your article is checked to ensure it contains the minimum number of images stated in our guidelines for that outline. 

Deprecated rejection reasons:

• ACSREJ_103: Back view is missing.

• ACSREJ_108: Different models presented.

• ACSREJ_114: Model is not wearing shoes.

• ACSREJ_116: Packshot is facing the wrong direction.

• ACSREJ_118: Sole view is missing.

• ACSREJ_121: Sleeves are not arranged correctly.

• ACSREJ_141: White background requirement for packshot image not met.

• ACSREJ_142: Grey background requirement for model view not met.

• PSERR_182: The Premium/Designer Min Image Count validation.

Review the updated rules and start listing your articles faster. If you have any questions, please reach out to Partner Care via our support form using the topic: Article onboarding and request type: General article onboarding questions.