Include traceability labelling standards in Textile Development Act: EAN

Mumbai: The proposed Textile Development Act, 2004, aims at protecting and safeguarding the consumer's right to information, and comprehensive labelling — including the fibre content and traceability of the source of the fabric. A 'standard procedure' should be made mandatory for all textiles and garments sold in the country, said EAN India CEO Ravi Mathur.

Pointing out the importance of globally accepted and endorsed traceability standards in labelling, he said, "Traceability of the source of the fabric / garment is internationally facilitated through use of barcodes and EAN product identification standards. If incorporated into the proposed Act, it will help industry provide information as per international best practices."

This is important for enhanced global market shares in post-MFA quota regime.
EAN India provides international standards and solutions that facilitate complete product traceability. These standards are developed, endorsed and adopted by global apparel and textile manufacturers. The company is an affiliate of EAN International, Belgium, which has 101 EAN organisations representing 155 countries across the world.

Over one million companies across the world use EAN.UCC standards, with over five billion barcodes being scanned each day at retail point of sale outlets world-wide, making them the de-facto standards in retail. EAN India represents a joint industry-government collaborative initiative to bring international best practices into India.