Discovering Textiles from across the world

 One of the most widely accepted and strictly enforced is REACH. Regulating the use of chemicals in the process of manufacture, this certification from Europe has had far reaching ramification with manufacturers / importers & exporters to EU rushing to be REACH compliant. REACH is the regulation by the European Community on chemicals and their safe use. It looks at the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances. REACH is made up of the first letters of each of the above in the definition. It came into existence as a law in June 2007. The reason for its enforcement was the wide prevalence of using chemicals in the growing / manufacturing processes which had harmful side effects. A large amount of chemicals was being used, with little or no information on its effects or what it was. This was a process of gathering the information to provide greater safety, responsibility in its handling. Another problem was that the policy on the use of chem...

World over, there are a number of certifications available. What is pertinent, is to choose that which fits the products of the business. To be precise, the certification which adds value to the products and is a step forward in the process of brand creation. Since the process of obtaining the certification is long drawn out requiring considerable paper work and internal controls, it is better to go in for that which suits the product. And at the same time is valued by the customer. Many of the certification are tilted towards the broad based concepts of eco-friendly, fair trade or ethical business practices. In this piece we look at another three such practices which are gaining in popularity. Many of these certificates are de rigor in the Western world and developed countries. With India aiming to reach the same levels and a section of the population slowly getting used to similar standards as abroad, it will not be long before these are accepted practices in India and customers actu...