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Awaiting toxic tests containers pile up at HCM city port
27 Jan '10
2 min read
Containers containing textile products are getting accumulated at the Cat Lai Port of HCM City on account of the new law passed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade last month. The law requires all textile imports to clear a test for toxic substances prior to their entry in the country.
The tests are to be conducted to check if the imports contain formaldehyde or aromatic amines released from nitrogenous dyestuff.
The containers are piling up at the port since over 10 days as the Ministry has authorized only HCM City's Quality Assurance and Testing No 3 (Quatest 3) and the Vietnam Textile and Garment Institute to carry out the tests but, both the institutions are over loaded with work.
As a result of this, out of the total 959 declarations extended by the textile businesses to the customs office at the port since December 20, only half of them have been tested and 370 are still pending tests, Nguyen Ba Dinh, Deputy Head of Sai Gon Port's zone I customs division informed.
Many traders have held the delays liable for adding up to the cost of their goods and upsetting the delivery schedules, whereas, others were of the opinion that the testing charges were excessive, he added.
Hoang Lam, Quatest's Deputy Director stated that, though their staff is utilizing its full capacity but, the testing process cannot be accelerated due to accuracy reasons. He also added that, unlike the Textile and Garment Institute which is capable only for carrying out test for formaldehyde, Quatest 3 is the only agency in the town which provides testing facilities both for formaldehyde and aromatic amine content.
Quatest takes almost seven to 10 days for testing a sample based on the number of types of garments and their colours, but against this they receive around 20 samples each day for testing. For some businesses the process of testing is very short as, though they import in bulk, the type or colour of the garments are identical, Lam informed.
He added by saying that, in spite of the enormous costs involved in testing chemicals and equipment the centre is trying to maintain the charges at a lower rate.
The tests are to be conducted to check if the imports contain formaldehyde or aromatic amines released from nitrogenous dyestuff.
The containers are piling up at the port since over 10 days as the Ministry has authorized only HCM City's Quality Assurance and Testing No 3 (Quatest 3) and the Vietnam Textile and Garment Institute to carry out the tests but, both the institutions are over loaded with work.
As a result of this, out of the total 959 declarations extended by the textile businesses to the customs office at the port since December 20, only half of them have been tested and 370 are still pending tests, Nguyen Ba Dinh, Deputy Head of Sai Gon Port's zone I customs division informed.
Many traders have held the delays liable for adding up to the cost of their goods and upsetting the delivery schedules, whereas, others were of the opinion that the testing charges were excessive, he added.
Hoang Lam, Quatest's Deputy Director stated that, though their staff is utilizing its full capacity but, the testing process cannot be accelerated due to accuracy reasons. He also added that, unlike the Textile and Garment Institute which is capable only for carrying out test for formaldehyde, Quatest 3 is the only agency in the town which provides testing facilities both for formaldehyde and aromatic amine content.
Quatest takes almost seven to 10 days for testing a sample based on the number of types of garments and their colours, but against this they receive around 20 samples each day for testing. For some businesses the process of testing is very short as, though they import in bulk, the type or colour of the garments are identical, Lam informed.
He added by saying that, in spite of the enormous costs involved in testing chemicals and equipment the centre is trying to maintain the charges at a lower rate.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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