Expedited fashion cycles in the clothing and home textiles’ industry create an urgent need to produce high-quality products compliant with prescribed standards quickly. As companies expand into new global markets, they face increasingly complex regulatory environments that challenge them every day; this is especially true as other countries develop their own set of regulations for clothes production
If you’re passionate about creating apparel, and want to manufacture your own line, then acquiring a standards’ certification is very important.
There are many independent bodies that offer this service; however, only one will be approved by your government agency. The process starts with passing an exam on how well acquainted we know our industry’s requirements–and these can vary depending on where in developing countries shipments come from!
Testing
Some leading testing standards for textiles are: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American Association of Textile Chemists and dyes (AATCC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Here are the mandatory tests required for every apparel manufacturing company to receive certification:
(i) Fabric mandatory tests: fiber ingredient of labels and wash care labels, down / feather detection, fire performance testing, restricted substances testing.
(ii) Fabric performance tests: dimensional stability, colour-fastness, physical performance.
(iii) Textile Chemical tests: restricted substances list
(iv )Accessories safety performance tests: small parts testing, buttons, zipper performance testing.
“The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) develops the test methods the textile industry uses to ensure product quality.”
Certification:Â
Here are the five most important certifications for the apparel industry:
(i) ISO 9001 (2015): It is one of the most commonly used quality control programs developed by the world’s largest standards organization, the International Organization for Standardization. To receive this certification, a manufacturer must demonstrate its ability to produce products that meet customer and regulatory requirements consistently.
(ii) Standard 100 (OEKO-TEX): OEKO-TEX® checks for hazardous contaminants, depending on the purpose of textiles and fabrics. The more intense the product’s skin contact and the more sensitive the skin, the stricter the human-ecological requirements that the product must meet. STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is a globally reliable, autonomous testing and certification system for raw, semifinished, and finished textile products at all production levels.
(iii) Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): GOTS is considered the most prevalent manufacturing standard for testing and inspecting organic products, and it primarily certifies organic cotton.
(iv) Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP): It promotes healthy, compliant, humane, and socially responsible manufacturing around the world through certification and education. If you want to ensure that your workers are working in safe conditions, you should look for WRAP certification.
(v) BlueSign: Focuses on legal enforcement in the area of public protection and safety. It combines facets of the general welfare, water and air pollution, and workplace health, emphasizing reducing hazardous chemicals at the early stages of development.
Hope this blog acquainted you with the entire testing and certification process. May it take you one step closer to realizing your dream of starting your very own garment manufacturing company.
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