REGULATORY COMPLIANCE FOR FLAMMABILITY OF GENERAL WEARING APPAREL

Established in 1898, ASTM International is one of the largest standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing quality systems, and commercial transactions around the globe.

ASTM's training course, "Regulatory compliance for the flammability of General Wearing Apparel", will provide attendees a basic understanding of the Flammable Fabric Act and Citation 16 CFR 1610 (Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles), which apply to all general wearing apparel manufactured and distributed in the United States. These federal requirements eliminate very flammable textile from entering the U.S. marketplace. The course will be held April 13, 2004. In Atlanta, Ga: May 11, 2004, in Chicago, 11 to 14 September 2004 in Baltimore, Md; and October 12, 2004 in New York N.Y.

CHILDREN'S SLEEPWEAR

To understand the federal standards on the flammability of children's sleepwear, which apply to all such garments distributed and sold in the United States, ASTM is organizing a one-day course on the subject. The course, "Regulatory compliance for the Flammability of Children's Sleepwear, "represents a collaboration by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is responsible for enforcing the sleepwear regulations under the flammable Fabrics Act, representatives of the textile and apparel industry, and ASTM International, who worked together to develop the course.
The course is a comprehensive programme for all those involved in the manufacturing of fibres textiles, or garments; apparel industry professionals, including designers, production managers and record keepers, children's garment importers, distributors and retailers and test lab personnel and attorney. It will provide understanding about 16 CFR 1615 "Standard for the flammability of Children's Sleepwear", sizes 0 through 6 x and 16 CFR 1616, "Standard for the flammability of children's sleepwear", Sizes 7 through 14. It is strongly suggested by the organizers that one should first attend the ASTM course on "Regulatory compliance for the Flammability of Weaving Apparel".
The course is expected to offer an update on regulatory changes; how to conduct the necessary tests and how to assess test results for compliance with regulations. In addition, participants will learn about liability issues and legal requirements, what products can put a company at risk and how to avoid product recalls and penalties. They will also be given the opportunity to speak with a CPSC representative and to take part in problem solving exercises to learn how to classify products.
The course has been scheduled for 14, 2004, in Atlanta, Ga; May 12, 2004 in Chicago, till September 15, 2004. In Baltimore, Md; and October 13, 2004, In New York, N.Y. Further information: Scott Murphy, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa Phone: 610 832 9685, smurphy@astm.org.

To register for the course, contact Eileen Finn, ASTM International, Tel: 610 832 9685, Fax: 610 832 9668 Email:efinn@astm.org for more information about ASTM Committee D13, contact Len Morrissey, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa, USA

The third international "Machinery for chemical fibers" Conference will be taking place in Chernigov, Ukraine between May 24 and 28, 2004. Following the 2000 and 2002 events, this is the third symposium, co-organized by Barmag, Remscheid,Germany, at which participants from Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the CIS states can inform themselves about trends and new developments in the manmade fiber yarn manufacturing.
Thematic focal points of the conference include:
· equipment and production process of tire cord and other technical yarns,
· equipment and production process of carpet yarns,
· equipment and production process of staple yarns and
· information on total solutions for the customer.
The organizers, Barmag, the "AK Sibur" Joint Stock Company, Russia, the "Chimtextilmash" Joint Stock Company, Ukraine and the "SK MPFG Formash" Joint Stock Company, Russia are anticipating - as in the previous years - a successful event with considerable participation by an international audience.

INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE MACHINERY EXHIBITION

The Seventh India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (INDIA ITME 2004) is scheduled from 4-11 December 2004 at Mumbai, India. This global show is the curtain raiser for free trade in textiles operative from January 2005. The dismantling of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing will open up immense opportunities to the global textile industry to prove its competitive competence in world trade.
It is imperative that the textile producing nations have to accelerate modernizations and technology upgradation of textile units to sustain and sharpen competitiveness. Countries like India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey and some of the African countries are engaged in revitalizing the textile industry to meet the challenges of the post- quota regime. INDIA ITME 2004 will offer latest technology machines and components for the user industry around the globe. Mr. G.T. Dembla, Chairman, India ITME Society said, "It is heartening to find that INDIA ITME 2004 has evoked great enthusiasm amongst the Indian and foreign participants. India is emerging as a powerhouse for economic growth. The Global Show organised by us in 2004 will synchronise with free trade in global textiles. Hence this Show is of special relevance and importance both to the exhibitors and the business visitors alike. I look forward to a very successful event in December 2004".

Korea is one of the advanced countries in the area of textile machinery industry as it is the 5th worldwide textile exporter and retains the 7th textile producing facilities in the world. Moreover, Korea is maintaining the phase as the largest textile exporter that exports textiles and related machinery to abroad above 20 billion dollars every year.
More than 50,000 visitors from 20 countries are expected to attend the KORTEX 2004 in Daegu, South Korea on May 11 to 14, 2004. Kortex has developed over the years and has played an important role in Korean textile industry. From now on, KORTEX will be a bridgehead of textile machinery industry in the world. Kortex has invited guaranteed buyers and provides quantity business opportunity. The Korea International Textile Machinery Exhibition 2004 will be conducting a large-scale public relations campaign to publicize the show and invite domestic and international business people to meet the exhibitors and their representatives. There will be 200 Companies with 600 booths.
Korea International Textile Machinery Exhibition 2004 -Facts
Venue: EXCO (Daegu Exhibition & Convention Center) 1, 3, 5 Floor
Organizers: Korea Textile Machinery Association, EXCO and Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea Federation of Textile Industry
Supporters: Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Energy, KOTRA, Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry(KCCI), The Federation of Korea Industries(FKI), Korea International Trade Association(KITA), Korea Federation of Small & Medium Business(KFSB), Korea Association of Machinery Industry(KOAMI).

Good design is fundamental to the production of all types of clothing and textiles, from fibre through to finished products. Nowadays, companies recognises that design innovation is key to their product success.
Fresh ideas from top designers and innovative technology from industry specialists can be heard at the International Textile Design and Innovation Forum, which takes place in Manchester on 1, and 2 April 2004. The event will be of benefit to everyone involved in the textile and fashion industries internationally, including those concerned with buying, retailing, management, manufacture and education, from fashion and textiles to high performance products, including sportswear.
Keith Silkstone, UK President of The Textile Institute says "the Forum will provide an essential information source for textile and clothing manufacturers to learn more about best practice and exchange ideas and information with leading designers - embracing the importance of design is key".
Bright Ideas - Innovation Award!
The Bright Ideas Award for Innovation is an opportunity to contribute to the development of manufacturing technology. Delegates registered for the International Textile Design & Innovation Forum are being invited to send their ideas on "the missing links for technology in design" in other words what they would like to happen to develop the links from textile design to product design.
Entries must be sent not later than 5 March 2004 by email to enquiries@sjsinternational.com or by fax +44[0] 8700 433 874. The Award is being offered by Gerber Technology (www.gerbertechnology.com), a business unit of Gerber Scientific Inc., the world leader in providing integrated computer hardware and software systems to the sewn-goods and flexible goods industries. The company offers automation solutions to a variety of industries including apparel, transportation, furniture, composites and industrial fabrics. The Award offered by Gerber Technology is a software training package with hosted visit.

For further information and interviews contact SJS International
Tel: 08700 433 874
Fax: 08700 433 875
Email:enquiries@sjsinternational.com

Interstoff Asia seminars are a primary source of information each fashion season. The seminars at Interstoff Asia, Asia's leading apparel fabric and trend show, are reputed for the in-depth and current analysis provided by industry experts from around the world. For many apparel manufacturers, fabric buyers, designers and traders in Hong Kong and Asia, they are the primary source of information each fashion season.
In Spring 2004, the seminars will once again focus on three key areas: design & trends, business strategy and technology, and will take place over three days, from 23-25 March 2004 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Design & trends - what will be in next season's wardrobes?
For effective product development in the apparel business, companies need reliable trend and design information. They need to know what are the shapes, colours and styles that will be prevalent in next season's wardrobes. The organisers of Interstoff Asia recognize this need for well-researched fashion intelligence, and have rounded up some of the leading names in the world to provide trend information at Interstoff Asia.
At the design & trends seminars, speakers will include Rob Merrett from Global Colour Research Limited (UK), Lan Vu from Here & There Agency (USA) and Nelly Rodi of Nelly Rodi Agency (France), who will lead a discussion on the 'ready-to-wear' market.
These top trend forecasters are members of the Directions Trend Committee, created exclusively for Interstoff Asia. Their seminars will guide designers, fabric buyers and product development professionals through colour, texture and material predictions for 2005.
Worth Global Style Network (WGSN), the online research and trend analysis service for the fashion and style industry, will also present their visions for womenswear and menswear in Summer 2005 and the fabric knit directions for Autumn / Winter 2005 / 06.
Creating business efficiency through enhanced knowledge
Equally as important as product development, is business efficiency. The business strategy seminars at Interstoff Asia explore current thinking about business models and best practices in the textile & garment industry today, as well as ideas for marketers, on topics such as branding and promotion.
Under the business strategy heading, the Hong Kong Apparel Society will host two presentations outlining how textile business can get the most out of the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The speaker will analyse the essential elements required for successful fashion brands in China and the current state of the market for fashion brands. The presentation will also cover all areas of good business strategy, from brand positioning and marketing to management as well as franchise business.
'Global sourcing' will be discussed at length by Professor Gary Gereffi from Duke University in the USA, expanding upon his original session at last year's event. In his new presentations, Professor Gereffi will document sourcing and consolidation trends, focusing on the factors he feels will determine the businesses that will succeed and those that will fail in post-quota times. Focusing in particular on East Asian and ASEAN cases, he will also explore further the intricate business strategies required to run a successful business in the textile and apparel industry today.
Technology - you can't escape progress…
At the technology seminars, visitors find out about technological developments - be they in functional fabrics, production techniques, business systems, or manufacturing machines - which improve productivity and create competitive edge in an ever-changing and increasingly demanding marketplace.
Colour is one of the most complex factors in the apparel industry today. Jeff Leclercq will be speaking on behalf of E-Warna, specialists in the delivery of color physics software applied over the Internet. Mr. Leclercq will discuss how the process of moving from physical swatches to digital swatches is complex, but feasible using the latest technology and the internet. Greater benefits for Interstoff Asia Seminar Club members
The Interstoff Asia Seminar Club has been created in response to the high number of attendees who were coming back to the events year after year. Membership is available to all visitors and costs HK$100 per year. Around 500 regular Interstoff Asia exhibitors and visitors are currently members of the club, enjoying the benefits of priority registration, special package rates, information, as well as many other benefits and exclusive offers. This year members will be entitled to a free copy of the latest Interstoff Asia Directions Trend Guide, normally only available on sale at the show.
Source It: An ASEAN event in Hong Kong
Source It - an ASEAN event in Hong Kong, positioned alongside Interstoff Asia, will showcase fabrics, garments, accessories and textile machinery from all over the world. The fair, which is open to trade buyers and textile industry professionals, will be jointly hosted by Messe Frankfurt and the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX), and it will be the first time that an official ASEAN event has taken place in a non-ASEAN country. Although the fair is open to all, around 70% of exhibitors are expected to come from ASEAN countries including Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
For further information on the fair, contact Messe Frankfurt at textile@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com, or visit www.interstoff-asia.com

In a fast moving world, nobody with any connection to the textile industry could possible deny that 2003 was a traumatic year, the rapidly evolving industries in the East has made life evermore challenging for Western European and new world manufacturers. There are however a number of major advantages that still remain in the hands of the Western producers, not least of which is their closeness to their markets and therefore their ability to respond speedily to their customers requirements, the infrastructure of the developing countries often will not allow them to be able to get goods to market in anything like the same efficient manner.
It is however clear that the days of big volume being manufactured in first world countries are probably over forever, but many make the comparison with the car industry which after being devastated by Far East imports responded with lean manufacturing techniques and although the balance of many markets have shifted cars are produced in large volumes in their traditional manufacturing countries.
European manufactures still have a number of advantages, an infrastructure which allows them to respond to customer requirements quickly, consistent, reliable quality standards, similar cultural values, but above all a clear understanding of their customers design requirements.
The challenges facing the European manufactures have been recognised by the organisers of the Scoperta exhibition who are working closely with the well known Comocrea design group and the Como Export konsortium to develop the show and encourage design studios and manufacturers to work even more closely together in order to provide buyers with exciting new products- FAST.
Textile digital printing has made very substantial progress in the last 12 months and their presence at the exhibition will allow visitors to the design areas to see the chosen designs on fabric almost instantly. Digital printing machines are also an important development, allowing the risk element of print production to be taken away and it is interesting to note that 200 digital printing machines are already working commercially in the Como area, mainly in the ties and foulard industries.
The organisers of the Scoperta exhibition believe that by placing design studios and manufacturers along side each other it will assist first world manufacturers to develop fine design on short lead times, speeding up the supply chain, and responding to the challenges.