Apparel Online India Magazine October 1st Issue 2018 | Page 15

SUSTAINABILITY
The origin of
ICSTS is rooted
in the philosophy
of the Charter of
the India private
sustainability
standards (PSS)
platform to
institutionalise
an inclusive inter-
governmental,
multi-
stakeholder
platform for
the fraternity
engaged in the
sustainability
standards
ecosystem to
gain access
to each other
and engage
in dialogue,
deliberation,
and access to
agenda-setting
in the domain.
farmers need more attention and
support from the textile industry.
“Cotton farmers are not getting their
deserving space in the textile supply
chain. Someone has to pay the price,
be it customer, farmer, any other
stakeholder in the supply chain or
nature,” she said.
Testing and inspection organisations
were also part of the discussions and
their representatives touched upon
many aspects, like Charan Singh, VP
and Regional Director – Softlines,
TÜV Rheinland stressed that as the
industry is evolving, proper chemical
management is the key at this
moment. Even Indian customers are
insisting on azo-free products. Though
a lot of work has been done in this
area in the recent years, but there is a
need to do more in the same direction.
Sarath Chandran, Director, RSJ
Inspection Service focused on multi-
stakeholder approach and shared his
bitter experience of how he tried to
be associated with four organisations
working in the sustainable zone, but
could not succeed as their approach
was not supportive of collaboration.
Snigdha Pramanik, Deputy Sustainability Manager,
Ikea India shared that Ikea is very particular regarding
sustainability. “We have zero tolerance as far as rules,
regulations, and standards are concerned. We are
promoting social entrepreneurship in economically
weaker sections, especially for the women and
supporting efforts to integrate them into our supply
chain,” she added.
Sanjeevan Bajaj, Advisor,
Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
drew attention to the fact that marine
litter is the emerging challenge for the
world and increased use of synthetic-
base fibre is also one of the reasons
for the same. She also appreciated
the efforts of southern Indian States
especially Tamil Nadu for the use of
natural energy.
Some of the textile and apparel companies’
representatives also participated in the event.
A. Narayanasamy, GM (Tech), Armstrong
Spinning Mills raised the question about Textiles
Committee’s parameters regarding the star system of
ginning and pressing factories.
Moderator of the session, Rene Van
Berkel, UNIDO Representative
India concluded the discussion by
appreciating the changing dynamics
of Indian textile industry and declared
that not only does the industry seem
quite aware of sustainable issues,
but initiatives are also gaining
momentum, be it for sustainability
standards or improvement areas
within the sustainability concept.
www.apparelresources.com | OCTOBER 1-15, 2018 | Apparel Online India
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