Textiles consumers : Know the logos
A Jolly Devi *
Human life is full of desires and wants and human activity is involved in satisfying these wants and needs. All types of wants have economic content in so far as their fulfilment is concerned-wants lead to economic efforts. Among all this, desire for buying clothing material constitutes one of the major parts of consumer wants.
Nowadays, textiles/clothing showrooms have mushroomed at almost every street in response to the increasing buying power of the consumers. Consumers should know that they play an important role in maintaining healthy trade practices as they constitute the last link in the supply chain.
Industrialization and technological developments have brought in its wake number of effects which have completely changed the face of the market and the consumer environment. With advertisement and other technologies racing far ahead of literacy, the consumer is faced with an array of products. He has plenty to choose from but is unable to make proper choices.
1. BUY
A) What : Seasoned fresh stock quality certified goods.
B) Where:
i) Wholesale price Consumer Cooperative
ii) Showrooms
iii) Authorized Dealers
C) When:
i) Out of rush hour
ii) Off season
D) How
i) For cash at Manufacture Rail Price
ii) Not credit
iii) Not hire purchase
iv) With receipts
E) How
Just enough for need
While buying textile/clothing material one should look for the following standard marks. This standard mark gives the assurance for quality and quantity of the material. Besides that shop owners should be aware of the types of product/fabric and their blend and composition and inform the customers accordingly.
Some common Standard Marks used in Textiles
Woolmark logo means 100 per cent pure new wool and has been approved and certified to meet quality specifications and offer natural comfort. The Woolmark Blend logo identifies products containing a minimum of 50 per cent new wool, offering comfort and performance.
The Wool Blend symbol represents products with 30 per cent to 49 per new wool. This logo identifies wool containing wool and other yarns such as polyester and nylon.
Handloom Mark is introduced by GOI, to promote handloom products in the domestic and international markets and to provide assurance to consumers about the genuineness of handloom products.
The scheme covers all handloom fabrics and products made thereof. The mark is in two forms: the one for domestic use has the word ‘handloom’ written beneath the logo, and the one for international marketing has the same logo with the words ‘hand woven in India’ written beneath it.
Silk Mark is a quality assurance label which is aimed at protection of the interests of the consumers of pure silk.
The Seal of Cotton. The Cotton Gold Alliance (CGA), in partnership with Cotton Council International and Cotton Incorporated, promote the Seal of Cotton to identify 100 per cent quality cotton products for domestic consumers.
FEW TIPS FOR SUYING TEXTILES/FABRIC/MATERIAL
o Avoid buying discount sales or very old stock as substandard goods may be sold.
o Check for standard mark such as -Handloom marks, Silk mark, Cotton mark, etc.
o Open and unfold the entire product/material.
o Avoid buying at last minute.
o Ask the seller about the quality and maintenance procedures.
o Try to know the Consumers Rights.
CONLUSION
Consumers constitute the largest segment of the society, they are unorganized. The knowledge of quality textiles products, varieties, blends, etc. will deter the unscrupulous trade practices and the consumer will get the genuine product for the price paid.
Therefore, protection of their interest and rights is vital for the general welfare of the people, which is the major goal of any modern welfare state.
For further details contact:-
Public Relations & Media Management Cell,
CAU, Imphal.
Email: [email protected]
* A Jolly Devi wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is from College of Home Science, CAU, Tura, Meghalaya
This article was webcasted on February 23 2022.
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