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CERTIFICATION
Where ethics and commercial interests meet
UK textile testing laboratory Shirly Technologies explains the thinking behind Made
in Green – the latest ‘green’ certification label now available
B
usinesses with a social, environmental and that they are strictly adhered too. One factor that internationally recognised environmental and social
corporate conscience can now apply their may be contributing is that long supply chains and responsibility certification in place and all the
principles and drive awareness of key issues cost control pressures are leaving some component parts of the product have to be tested
by becoming part of a new certification label called manufacturers vulnerable to fraud.” and certified to ensure they contain no harmful
‘Made in Green’. Shah added: “For this reason, we need to substances.
“We can no longer say that ethical textiles are regulate and control the production of our products All textile manufacturers can apply for MIG, be it
just another marketing tool aimed at ethically and processes via established and internationally the yarn producer, weaver, finisher and dyer, or
minded consumer, it’s about ensuring that the recognised institutes and this is the only way that accessories supplier – it does not just apply to the
product you are producing is regulated and safe,” we can ensure that the products and processes product retailer or distributor.
says Asif Shah of UK testing laboratory Shirley used to make them are not only ethical but as safe If the company achieves MIG status it will be
Technologies, which now provides certification for as can be.” issued a certificate, which is reviewed and audited
Made in Green approved products. Which is where MIG comes in. For a company to annually. In addition, it will be able to attach labels
Made in Green (MIG) has been developed to apply for MIG status it has to have the following to its products, which will show the customer that
address these issues, and looks not only at criteria in place :- the product not only conforms ethically and
regulating how the product is produced from an Product:
ethical perspective, but also ensures the product Absence of substances in
itself is as safe as possible. the textile product which
Green concerns go right to the top of retail, and could be harmful to health,
some are enthusiastically embracing ethical and confirmed by an
ecological issues more than most. international standard such
Wal-Mart president and CEO Lee Scott said in as Oeko-tex 100
Oct 2008: “I firmly believe that a company that Environment:
cheats on its overtime and on the age of its labour; Respect for the
that dumps its scraps and chemicals into our rivers; environment at the
that does not pay its taxes or honour its contracts, production
will ultimately cheat on the quality of its products.” centres where the product is manufactured,
How the Made in Green certification would work
Wal-Mart has set out a list of requirements for confirmed by an international standard such as
if applied to a jacket
those doing business with it, including Oeko-tex 1000,ISO 14001
demonstration of compliance with environmental, Social criteria: ecologically but is also safe and free from harmful
ethical laws and regulations and is expecting all its Respect of human rights and the universal right of chemicals.
suppliers to comply. workers in accordance with the International “The labels have been designed with the
It is not just Wal-Mart that is insisting on these Labour Organisation at the product centres where consumer in mind and are very easy to
standards, most other multinationals are also the product is made. Confirmed by an understand,” said Shah. “Our vision for MIG is a
implementing them as well, says Shah, driven by internationally recognised standard such as long term one – we view it as a ‘green quality’
ethics and product safety. SA8000 or AITEX CCRS. stamp for companies.
“There are major safety issues cropping up all “We would like to think that in the future
the time with products produced abroad, How it works consumers will be able to recognise the MIG just
particularly in the Far East,” says Shah. “Issues MIG offers a complete ethical and ecological as they would other quality labels such as kite
with baby milk, toy production and toxic materials traceability throughout the production supply mark.”
in furnishings sold by a UK retailer are just a few chain, says Shah. For a product to be granted MIG
examples. status all component manufacturing centres used For more information go to:
“Even though there are strict quality control to make that product such as yarn, fabric, buttons, www.shirleytech.co.uk or
procedures in place it does not necessarily mean zips and sewing threads must have an www.madeingreen.com
| 64 | January 2009 www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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