CAF and SGS Conclude Workshop Series on Regulatory Compliance and Product Testing for Canadian Apparel, Soft Goods and Footwear Industries
Over 220 retail and manufacturing attendees participated this year, an increase of over 25% from 2018.
TORONTO, May 9, 2019 /CNW/ - For a second consecutive year, the Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) and SGS have partnered to deliver a workshop series for Canadian manufacturers and retailers in the apparel, soft goods and footwear industries. The workshops provide education on critical existing and upcoming regulations that impact Canadian companies who manufacture, test or trade products internationally. "Regulations in different jurisdictions along with multiple product standards and related product testing can be hard to manage, especially for companies with multiple products. This workshop series is designed to remove the guesswork and help improve the level of knowledge and effectiveness of your product developers, sourcing and quality control staff," said Louann Spirito, Business and Technical Head of Softlines at SGS North America. Topics covered and of significant interest amongst participants included:
- Regulations in North America and international markets - fiber content, country of origin, care labelling, flammability and chemical restrictions.
- Recent changes in regulations – i.e. upholstered and stuffed articles, antimicrobials.
- Incorrect and correct labels, cautions and identification of frequent mistakes.
- Physical and performance / special claim tests – i.e. strength, pilling, colourfastness, quick drying, breathability, water / wind proof, water / wind resistance.
- Why tests are done, how they are done and interpretation of the results.
- Examples of test reports and how to interpret them.
- Global chemical management initiatives and sustainability.
Following a successful workshop series hosted in Canada's major metropolitans last year, the series kicked off this year in April in Vancouver, then travelled its way to Montreal, concluding today in Toronto. Over 220 attendees participated in the workshops this year, an increase of over 25% from 2018. Many participating companies sent their entire compliance and quality control teams. "It was great to see such a large contingent of our members, as well as non-members, join us this year. This reflects the reality that more and more Canadian retailers and manufacturers are either trading internationally, or intend to do so," said Bob Kirke, Executive Director of the CAF. "This workshop series with SGS reflects one of the CAF's mandates, which is to support our 250 members from across Canada remain competitive on an international scale through thought leadership in the area of global product compliance".
ABOUT SGS
SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. The company is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of more than 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world. In Canada, SGS operates 70 labs and offices across nine industries. In 2018, Forbes ranked the SGS Group as one of the world's most innovative companies and the Dow Jones recognized SGS Group as an Industry Leader in Commercial & Professional Services for its sustainability processes.
ABOUT THE CAF
The Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) is the voice of the industry and national association for Canada's apparel sector. CAF provides the industry with up-to-date information on issues ranging from customs and trade, product development and quality control, supply-chain management, product safety and other regulations. CAF also helps raise the profile and visibility of the industry by representing the interests and concerns of our members to government and other stakeholders.
SOURCE SGS Canada Inc.
SGS Canada, Sadia Qureshi, Communications Program Manager, (289) 233.4470, [email protected]; Canadian Apparel Federation, Bob Kirke, Executive Director, (613) 231.3220, ext. 224, [email protected]
Share this article