Feasibility study into new ethical quality mark for TCF industry

18 Apr '11

5 min read

Ethical Clothing Australia is calling on the Textile Clothing and Footwear industry to take part in an online survey to assess the feasibility of establishing a new Ethical Quality Mark for the Australian Textile Clothing and Footwear industry.

The Textile Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Innovation Council recently engaged Ethical Clothing Australia to undertake a feasibility study on introducing a voluntary Ethical Quality Mark (EQM). This study is being conducted by Ethical Clothing Australia in collaboration with sustainability consultants, WSP Environment & Energy, and Net Balance. The study is funded by the TCF Innovation Council.

The purpose of the study is to examine and assess the feasibility of establishing a voluntary TCF EQM for Australia. The study will consider the range of associated standards and certifications, which may be relevant to the development of an EQM. This includes an assessment of existing initiatives from Australia and overseas. Ultimately it will help provide an informed analysis and position for the TCF industries and Government to move forward in developing a new EQM, if this is the adopted direction.

In calling on the industry to take part in the survey, Jo Kellock, CEO of the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia, said “this is a unique opportunity for stakeholders right across the TCF industry to express their views with regard to ethical certification and labelling, and ultimately help shape what happens next”.

The survey should take 15 to 20 minutes to complete and will remain open until Friday April 22.

Interested people from the industry are also invited to attend the Ethical Quality Mark workshops in Sydney and Melbourne:

Melbourne workshop: Tuesday 3rd May, 1:30 - 4:30pm, at Net Balance, Level 4, 460 Bourke Street, Melbourne

In 2008, the Federal Government conducted a review of the Textile Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Industries. The Review acknowledged growing consumer awareness and demand for products that have been designed and manufactured in accordance with ethical standards related to labour conditions and environmental sustainability.

In 2009, Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, announced the establishment of the TCF Industries Innovation Council. A specific action commissioned by the Minister was for the Council to provide advice on the feasibility of a voluntary Ethical Quality Mark (EQM). The review also recognised the contribution that the Homeworkers Code of Practice and its No SweatShop Label (recently renamed Ethical Clothing Australia) has made in providing consumer choice in relation to ethical employment standards in Australia.

As a result, the TCF Innovation Council recently engaged Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA) to undertake a feasibility study on introducing a voluntary EQM. This study is being conducted by ECA in collaboration with sustainability consultants, WSP Environment & Energy, and Net Balance. The study is funded by the TCF Innovation Council.

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