A trend for increased transparency is emerging.

Extensive information for all stakeholders might be desirable but there is still a long way to go until this is achieved.

Declaring the entire life cycle of textile products

In a global market, consumers justifiably want more transparency. The question of who should be responsible for these costs and to what extent this is even feasible is yet to be answered. Nevertheless, additional efforts to resolve this matter are underway.

Sizes

A number of additional designations and thereby the associated standards are very practical and are in the interest of all market participants.

This particularly concerns sizing information in the clothing sector. The costs incurred by mail order companies, for example, as a result of incorrect sizes are enormous. An internationally standardised body dimensions system is already being developed by a number of organisations.

A system has not been established for a variety of reasons, not least including the fact that the average body size of Europeans has dramatically changed over the last 100 years in some cases.

Origin

Information on the origin is also desirable. However, it is already difficult to determine the origin of all raw materials along the textile chain.

In addition, textile fabrics are often produced and further processed into finished products in different countries. As a result of this often very fragmented work, it is difficult to determine the exact origin of textiles

At a European level, parties began to make efforts to implement a common regulation for this but the corresponding projects were later suspended.

Location

Labels on textile items are designed to provide consumers with information when the particular item is purchased and used.

Labels must therefore be easy to find and must be securely and durably attached to the respective textile products. Attaching a label means ensuring any form of secure connection such as sewing or sticking the label onto the item or printing the label into the item

Loosely enclosing information regarding the respective raw material content is therefore not permitted. On the other hand, a secure and durable connection is not required by law but is desirable in terms of ensuring the standard life cycle of the product, for example.

Ecology, sustainability and fair production

Lots of endeavours are currently being made in this area. There is a multitude of certificates and labels for fair, ecological and non-toxic textiles – particularly in the fashion and clothing industry.

GINETEX has maintained a collaborative partnership with OEKO-TEX® for a number of years now. Since its introduction in 1992, the key objective of STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is to develop testing criteria, limit values and test methods on a scientific basis.

The aim of the criteria catalogue is to iron out global differences relating to the assessment of harmful substances. This enables potential sources of problematic substances and materials to be identified and eliminated at each stage of the processing chain.