Regulatory changes demand higher quality in products

Any changes in regulations enhance the chemical and mechanical safety in the textile products. In this interview, Suvodeep Mukherjee, Senior General Manager Sales at TÃœV SÃœD South Asia, highlights on how brand owners are taking steps to achieve high level of quality and importance of traceability.

What kind of solutions are offered by TÃœV SÃœD to textile companies for maintaining high-quality?

TÜV SÜD’s apparel and textile testing, inspection and certification programs help manufacturers or brands in the industry to put their products through rigorous testing to ensure compliance with relevant product regulations and performance testing as per industry practice. Textile and clothing products can present hazards to consumers, including dangers around flammability or through the use of hazardous chemicals. TÜV SÜD is also supporting the industry through chemical management auditing and awareness trainings. Moreover, there is a growing expectation that manufacturers take environmental and social issues into account during the production process. Clothing and textile testing, inspection and certification programs help your business comply with relevant legislation and boost consumer trust.

Our textile and garment testing labs and textile certification programs provide you with a one stop solution for compliance with all relevant regulations.

What are the main parameters (criteria) used to measure quality in textiles (for fabric as well as apparels/garments)?

TÃœV SÃœD has a strong global network of state-of-the-art laboratories closer to the sourcing regions. The laboratories are fully capable to comply to all regulatory and performance requirements of different countries across the globe. Some of the major tests conducted are: Chemical Testing (for pH Value, chlorinated organic carriers, allergic disperse dyes and carcinogenic dyes, phthalates, etc);

Performance Testing (for colour fastness, dimensional stability to washing, print durability, fabric Weight, count/constructions, tensile strength, etc); 

Regulatory Testing (for flammability, REACH compliance, fibre label and Care label recommendation, etc)

How are changes in regulations leading to increase in quality demands for textile products?

The changes in regulations are very well researched through different regulatory bodies. Any changes in regulations enhance the chemical and mechanical safety in the textile products. The changes in regulations demands higher quality in products which needs to be achieved through process standardization in each step, enhancing quality control and assurance, procuring right quality raw materials and periodical checks.

Why is the need for safety and quality paramount for textile companies who want to export or want to be a part of the global supply chain?

The global revolution on safety, quality and sustainability since decades are the key factors for the companies/brands for the survival in the business. The regulations are growing stronger day by day. In this modern digitalised world, the consumer awareness on recalls, mechanical safety, chemical safety and sustainability contents are accessible in clicks. Hence, all big brands are investing a lot to ensure the right quality products are placed in their stores and manufactured in a socially complied factory.    

How can textile companies (having suppliers across the world) maintain quality throughout the supply chain?

Achieving highest level of quality is only possible through high level of awareness, training, process control, process traceability, very strong quality control, quality assurance and periodical checks. The companies/brands maintain the same strictly throughout the supply chain is achieving the desired results. Also, high level of quality also helps to create a lean process which helps the companies to reduce significant costs.

Is the requirement of traceability growing in the textile industry?

Traceability is a very important aspect to ensure the quality in any industry. This is very important for quality checks and for analysis of root cause of any defects. Hence, all quality conscious brands ensure the complete supply chain traceability for their products. Also, this becomes very important when this is claimed as organic textiles, recycled polyester etc.

What are your growth plans for the textile industry?

TÃœV SÃœD is a one stop solution for testing, inspection and certifications. Our network has been expanded to a large extent to the door step of sourcing regions and support till last tier of the supply chain. However, going beyond the conventional business and support the industry through technical solutions, risk analysis digital platforms for chemical safety data management. Also, all our facilities are expanding their scope based on upcoming different country regulations. This is a continuous process of expansion and TÃœV SÃœD will continue to do so.