LABELLING AND CERTIFICATION OF CLOTHES AND TEXTILES GOODS
The 133 Committee on Textiles discuses the UC standpoint pertaining to the proposition of regulation of elimination of non-tariff barriers for textile-clothing goods.
Proposed regulations on labelling of products are fully concordant with the whole branch viewpoint (indicating the country of origin and raw materials composition of the goods on the label). Non-obligatory labelling in some EU countries facilitates frauds, particularly now, when it is explicit that countries such as China constantly violate laws and international agreements by exporting their textiles and clothes with forged certificates, through the countries enjoying the preferential access to the European market.
The doubts in the sector are raised by the propositions of certification of products. The project of the regulation states that an importing country should accept the test results/certificates issued by a laboratory designated by the proper authorities of the exporting country. Such proposition leaves too great a margin for abuses, specially if the designated laboratory is not impartial and is highly apt to fulfil the government expectations (in China or Vietnam, for example). Only the independence of the laboratory and its incorporation in an international network of accredited laboratories may guarantee the objectivity of tests results, and consequently, a proper level of the product safety. The branch standpoint clarifies that the laboratory of the exporting country, appointed by its authorities must simultaneously take part in the international accreditation system.