SGS secures IOAS accreditation for textile exchange certification in India

The certification scheme, which has been successfully implemented by SGS in Spain since 2021, encompasses various product categories such as textiles, leather, plastic, paper, and metal.

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification company, has received accreditation from the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) to expand its Textile Exchange product certification services to India.

The certification scheme, which has been successfully implemented by SGS in Spain since 2021, encompasses various product categories such as textiles, leather, plastic, paper, and metal. It includes the Content Claim Standard (CCS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS).

Additionally, the scope covers the Organic Content Standard (OCS), Responsible Down Standard (RDS), and RAF (incorporating Responsible Wool Standard RWS, Responsible Mohair Standard RMS, and Responsible Alpaca Standard RAS). These certifications are applicable to any stage of the textile supply chain beyond the farm.

SGS will now be providing comprehensive Textile Exchange certification services to manufacturers, traders, recyclers, and brands from its strategically located offices in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mumbai, and Tirupur.

According to Shailesh Sharma, Director- Connectivity & Products, Softlines at SGS, “We are pleased to have obtained IOAS accreditation, which enables us to expand our global textile and footwear certification services and establish a strong local presence in India. With this achievement, we are better equipped to assist organizations throughout the region in achieving their sustainable sourcing objectives and verifying the precise recycled and organic content of their products.”

The Textile Exchange is a global non-profit organisation working closely with all sectors of the textile supply chain. It focuses on identifying and sharing best practices related to farming, materials, processing, traceability, and product end-of-life to promote positive impacts on water, soil, air, animals, and the global human population affected by the textile industry.

On the other hand, the IOAS is a non-profit organisation committed to upholding the integrity of ecolabel claims in organic and sustainable agriculture, environmental management, social justice, and fair trade. It operates internationally to assess the competency of organisations providing certification to ‘sustainability’ standards.