Euratex has issued a position paper on the revision of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) where it advocates for a series of changes to be considered in the forthcoming revision.

Euratex says, trade policies can encourage countries in respecting human, social and political rights, but these efforts should not be standalone. They should be accompanied by other programmes and policies. Respect of good governance and human rights comes also from better monitoring of the conventions annexed to the GSP regulation. Plus, their implementation should be quick, effective and the EC should be the primary actor in the assessment process.

Euratex believes that the withdrawal mechanism should be applied to GSP standard beneficiary countries in case of serious and systemic violations of principles related to the protection of the environment and good governance.

EURATEX proposes the next regulation to cover a wider range of products. GSP beneficiary countries will then need to diversify their exports and do not depend on one or few sectors. Such diversification will boost their investments and make their economy more stable in the long term.

Finally, EURATEX emphasises that the current safeguard mechanism should allow a certain level of predictability for the economic operators. Therefore, it should be activated only when conditions are fulfilled, communication on it should be transparent, and it should be extended to all GSP countries.

Ricoh, a Japanese innovative technologies and service offering company has launched Ricoh Ri 2000 Direct to Garment (DTG) printer.

The Ricoh Ri 2000 prints 1200x1200 dpi resolution on a wide range of garments, from traditional t-shirts or tote bags to an extended application range of canvas shoes, baseball caps or long sleeve shirts. It also supports the production of textile face masks and safety vests via the flexibility of the quick-change magnetic platen mechanism and the automatic table height adjustment that easily switches between garment types. .

The Ri 2000 sets a new benchmark in terms of productivity and efficiency in its class. This is achieved by integrating hardware and advanced software end-to-end: enabling colour consistency, automation of production workflows and creation of white layers for printing on dark garments with ColorGate’s Textile Production server; continuously monitoring ink supply, temperature and humidity levels, reducing human interaction whenever required; intuitively guiding the operator with a 7-inch color touchscreen display providing maintenance alerts, for all tasks that are not automated; and simplifying maintenance with automated cleaning and an innovative head cleaning jig that eliminates the need to manually maintain print head nozzles.

Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) is encouraging garment manufacturers to divert their production of face masks, to offset the fall in textile exports and foreign investment in the local supply chain. Vu Duc Diang, Chairman, VITAS says, though masks are small-ticket items, they have big export potential as they are becoming mandatory and ubiquitous around the world. Vietnamese textile makers are betting on mask production, assuming that global demand will be sustained because ending the pandemic will take time.

Another way Vietnamese companies can adapt to this new environment is by adopting new technologies. For example, Vietnamese textile companies are conducting entire business deals via WeChat, from introducing products, to negotiating prices, Giang said. The government can also lobby textile companies to clean up production, such as treating water that had been contaminated with dyes, said. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, General Secretary, VITAS. According to her, a cleaner production process will allow more advanced manufacturers to set up in local industrial parks.

When textile and apparel companies regain their investment appetite, they will continue to move away from China, as well as Taiwan and South Korea, to save costs, Giang said. The pandemic is making global companies realize they need to diversify, including by shifting to Vietnam, he added.

Outdoor clothing company Patagonia is weaving a label with the message’ Vote the a-holes out’ in its shorts, reports CNBC. Through this tag, the company aims to encourage its customers to voice their concerns about the environment.

The California-based activist brand was encouraged to introduce this tag by the 100 wildfires that burn millions of acres across the West Coast, and a slew of lawsuits filed by towns and cities across the country accusing the oil and gas industry for its deceptive role in climate change. While some have dismissed Patagonia’s new tag as a marketing ploy others have appreciated the company for its longstanding social activism and hope the tag will ignite positive change. Many also see these as a dig at US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly come under fire for his climate change denialism. However, Patagonia has denied that the tags are directed at Trump.

A survey by retail and wholesale digital operations platform Brightpearl reveals, to win back online shoppers, 44 per cent of UK fashion brands plan to roll out free delivery services by 2021. Around 34 per cent of these brands plan to offer free returns while 25 per cent plan to launch Click & Collect services by next year. Another 56 per cent of UK’s retailers plan to switch retail focus to online over the next 12 months. They are boosting online services with one third of them offering free delivery, 22 per cent offering free returns and 23 per cent offering same- or next-day delivery — within next six months.

However, research showed 61 per cent consumers have experienced issues buying from brands online in the past 12 months alone, with the majority of problems related to issues with delivery and returns.

At the Global Textile & Home Furnishing Expo organized by FICCI, Textile Minister Ravi Capoor announced government’s plans to organize -Textile India Fair- the world’s largest virtual textile fair featuring 5,000 sellers and 30,000 buyers from across the globe. Capoor said though India faces stiff competition in apparel, home furnishings and textiles sectors, it has the potential to double exports in two years. To achieve this, India needs to launch a huge outreach program that expands the country’s exports to new markets such as Japan, CIS and Latin America.

Capoor says, India has been receiving new textile orders. However, it needs to revamp its delivery style and schedules. From April-August, India’s exported $8.7 billion worth of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, handloom products, man-made yarn, fabrics and made-ups, readymade garments, jute products, handicrafts and carpets, Capoor informed

The Indian textile industry is showing gradual signs of recovery. Indian garment exporters have begun getting sizeable orders from European and American buyers. China’s exports of apparel to Japan have improved in the last few months.

Retailers hope the festive season to release some of the pent up demand of the last few months. These retailers are increasingly using e-commerce and social media to attract buyers, and are also going to the consumers, as consumers hesitate to move to shopping centres & malls. These positive signals have encouraged Textile Excellence to launch vTexShow, a perfect platform for the industry to negotiate with clients, customers and peers.

Scheduled from September 21-26, 2020, vTexShow will being attended by leading exhibitors including AGS, Archroma, ATE Enterprises, Batliboi, Britacel, Colorjet, Datacolor, Dhanesh Weaving, GCL International, GOTS, Lakshmi Card Clothing, Rabatex, Saurer, Sitaram Spinners, SPGPrints, T4Texultants, Texfab, Texperts, etc. Besides, showcasing latest products, ATE Enterprises will also upgrade its legacy machines. While Archroma will use the platform to showcase its various environment-friendly solutions, and it’s latest anti-microbial finishes to the industry. Dhanesh Weaving will launch some of its most innovative hemp based textiles on the vTex platform. GOTS will ensure that the industry is offered the necessary services even during these times of lockdown.

As per a report by the Kohan Textile Journal, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBES) has developed a new protocol for importers and dealers of used clothes. Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, the protocol mandates these importers and dealers to ensure their consignment is subjected to physical examination and certification.

The protocol also mandates used clothes and shoes to be cleaned and fumigated before baling. It directs each consignment to be packed in clear transparent and waterproof material.

Additionally, all importers and dealers need to be registered with KEBS and adhere to the COVID-19 prevention protocols issued by the Ministry of Health. A month ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed Trade and Industrialization Cabinet Secretary, Betty Maina to establish acceptable protocols for lifting the ban on import of second hand clothes and footwear. According to Maina, the directive was aimed at safeguarding the health of Kenyans who regularly purchase second hand clothes. It was also meant to promote the local textile industries in the country during a period that has seen other sectors face challenges.

Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) reports designer Heron Preston has collaborated with LevI’s for a new collection titled ‘Mistakes Are OK.’ The collection features four men’s and four women’s Levi’s Truckers and Levi’s 501s. The collection reworks each style to include ‘conscious aberrations’ like internal pockets designed to face outward, asymmetrical pockets, an upside down coin pocket, mismatched buttons and rivets, incorrectly cut back patches, raw seams, exposed linings and off-register resin prints are other signs of the intentional imperfections.

The aim is to encourage customers embrace their mistakes as they make things cool and interesting. It also includes Preston’s signature orange tags and Levi’s red tabs. The collection will be sold exclusively on Levi’s app. Last year, Preston had collaborated with Levi’s to celebrate its 501 Day on May 20, which marks the anniversary of the patent that the company received for rivets on its work pants. Born and raised in San Francisco, the designer has been an admirer of the brand since his teenage years.

The 31st edition of Milano Unica was attended by around 207 exhibitors, of which 171 were Italian and 36 were from other countries. Exhibitors showcased their collections of high-end fabrics and accessories for menswear, womenswear and childrenswear for the A/W 2021 season.

The trade show was attended by 2,400 companies from America, Japan, Britian, France, Switzerland and Germany. Inaugurated by Alessandro Barberis Canonico, President, Milano Unica, who said exceptionality of the moment in which the 31st edition of the Italian Textiles and Accessories Trade Show was been held. He thanked all exhibitors for their courage and determination to participate in the trade show.

Canonico urged attendees to adopt a long-term perspective and continue to invest in trade shows, keeping an eye on the future scenarios and the potential economic and commercial developments. He urged exhibitors to leverage on the pillars of creativity, innovation and digital sustainability with a new determination Massimo Mosiello, General Director thanked the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency for providing them with economic aid and essential support for the promotion on international markets.

Among the main novelties of the trade show was the development of e-MilanoUnica Connect in collaboration with Pitti Immagine, which made new omnichannel model available. The digital marketplace provides an opportunity for participating companies to offer virtual showrooms with different levels of accessibility.