SGS is playing a pivotal role in helping businesses achieve compliance: Anitha Jeyaraj

SGS is the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification Company. They are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. SGS’ 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world. In this interview with Divya Shetty, Anitha Jeyaraj, Deputy Director – Softlines, Connectivity & Products at SGS India, discusses the impact the Quality Control Order introduced by the government has had on the textile industry.

Could you share which specific sectors of the Indian textile industry does SGS caters to, and how your services have evolved to meet the industry’s growing needs?

SGS plays a crucial role in various sectors of the Indian textile industry, including:

• Apparel and garments: Offering services such as quality control, compliance testing to safety standards, and certification of organic and sustainable textiles
• Home textiles and upholstery: Providing testing and inspection services to ensure products meet international standards for quality, safety and performance
• Technical textiles: Conducting specialised testing for performance and durability, including restricted substance and moisture management in the rapidly growing segment for medical, sport, automotive, packaging, agriculture, etc.
• Raw materials: Services include testing for fiber content, colorfastness, appearance and other essential parameters to ensure quality from the very beginning of the supply chain

Our services have evolved in line with industry needs, including:

• Sustainability and compliance: Covering recycled materials verification, chemical compliance, product and process sustainability, carbon emission assessments, circular materials and product verifications, etc.
• Innovative platforms: SGS SMART and SGS SMART Cares monitor quality and chemical performance throughout the supply chain. SGS SMART Source enhances end-to-end traceability, boosting industry and consumer confidence. Within SGS SMART Source, Digital Product Passport offers insights on product origin, material composition, supply chain sustainability, and recyclability to meet international standards

All services are fully customisable to meet the specific needs of the client, helping them navigate regulatory requirements and market demands to maintain global market competitiveness.

The Indian government has introduced several quality control orders (QCOs) aimed at enhancing product standards across industries. How have these orders affected SGS’s operations in the textile sector? Would you say these regulations have had a positive or negative impact on your business?

QCOs are intended to ensure product quality, prevent deceptive practices, foster consumer trust, promote domestic brands, minimise inefficiencies and protect human health and the environment. They have had a positive impact on the textile sector and the testing and inspection business, helping local manufacturers to create their own base while protecting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from unfair competition. For example, the QCO related to viscose and polyester fibres has led to a 15 per cent increase in domestic production and significant growth in the medical PPE (surgical gowns, masks, etc) sector. By setting high standards, QCOs have encouraged local manufacturers to improve their product quality and invest in research and development.

SGS is playing a pivotal role in helping businesses achieve compliance, with accreditation for various standards under the QCO framework. We actively participate in BIS standard development committees, including textiles, footwear and sports products. In addition, our seminars and workshops educate manufacturers on compliance strategies, further solidifying our position as industry leader and making us the trusted partner for businesses looking to ensure compliance and improve quality. 

How do you see the current state of the Indian textile industry in terms of quality control and compliance? Are there any areas where the industry could further improve to meet international standards?

The Indian textile industry shows promising developments in terms of quality control and compliance, particularly in sustainability. However, there are still some areas where improvements are needed to align with international standards:

• Sustainable materials: The use of sustainable fibres (organic, recycled and low-impact materials) needs to be addressed
• Water treatment: Controls need to be tightened to ensure banned substances are not released in wastewater
• Chemical management: Better management of dyes, pigments and colors, including greater use of non-toxic dyes and finishes, to maintain quality, enhance product safety and reduce environmental harm

India’s textile industry is making strides towards sustainability, but a collective effort to improve resource efficiency and introduce sustainable materials to foster a circular economy will be crucial for meeting international standards and ensuring long-term viability.

With the rapid growth of technical textiles and advancements in sustainable materials, what new testing or certification requirements are emerging in the Indian textile industry, and how is SGS positioning itself to address these developments?

SGS has adopted a proactive approach to meet these developments, including:

• Sustainability certification and verification: Certifications (bluesign, Textile Exchange, HIGG Index, etc) and verifications relating to carbon (e.g. LCA, PEF, resource efficiency, etc.) are now essential for market success. SGS is well-equipped to assist companies in achieving these certifications and verifications, ensuring compliance with environmental and social standards
• : We are a ZDHC approved laboratory and offer services like Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) testing to ensure the sustainability of chemical formulations used in manufacturing processes. Additionally, we provide Restricted Substances List (RSL) scanning to help manufacturers comply with global regulatory requirements. With our bluesign certification, you can also verify premium quality claims

• Wastewater testing: Comprehensive wastewater analysis to help manufacturers manage their environmental footprint and adhere to regulatory requirements
• Biodegradability and fibre fragmentation testing: Ensure products are environmentally friendly and comply with emerging regulations
• Recycled material verification: Rigorous verification processes to validate sustainability claims, including SGS green marks
• Supply chain support: Covering the complete supply chain, our services help you overcome compliance issues through root cause analysis to identify and resolve product process, and consultancy and training to enhance knowledge and enable the adoption of best practice

By leveraging our global network of sustainability experts and extensive service offerings, we are well-positioned to support the Indian textile industry in navigating the evolving landscape of testing and certification requirements, ensuring they meet both market expectations and regulatory standards.

What is your outlook on the future of the Indian textile testing and certification industry? Do you foresee any major changes or innovations that could reshape the landscape in the coming years?

I think the outlook is highly promising as the market continues to evolve with emerging regulations and increasing consumer demand for quality and compliance. Key technological innovations, such as automation and digitalisation, are set to transform testing processes, enhancing efficiency and accuracy, while technologies like virtual sampling for colour assessment allow real-time supply chain management without the need for physical samples, significantly reducing costs and time.

Furthermore, cloud-based solutions will facilitate round-the-clock access to testing data, promoting transparency and faster decision-making. Interactive platforms, such as SGS SMART, SGS SMART Source and SGS SMART Cares, are empowering manufacturers with comprehensive supply chain oversight, enabling more agile responses to market demands.

Finally, the growing focus on sustainability will drive demand for eco-friendly certifications, compelling testing laboratories to expand their service capabilities.

How does the company plan to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the Indian textile sector moving forward? Are there any upcoming initiatives or strategies you would like to share?

We are committed to driving growth and sustainability in the Indian textile sector through several strategic initiatives based SGS Global Softline’s seven pillars:

• Adoption of best available practice (BAP)
• Chemical sustainability: chemical management and restricted substance assessment
• Process sustainability: Resource optimisation/decarbonisation
• Product sustainability: Eco-design, preferred materials, durability, etc.
• Carbon solutions: Supporting the journey to net zero
• Performance advancement: Comfort, wellness and risk assessments
• Data analysis: Innovative solutions for value creation in the supply chain

Our one-stop services incorporate a wide range of testing and certification solutions, include CE and UKAS marking, alongside the SGS green marks rand various environmental attribute verification marks.

Through these and other initiatives, we are ready to support the Indian textile sector in achieving sustainable growth by ensuring compliance with global standards and market demands.