‘WOOLMARK’ STANDARDS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30635, 29 December 1964, Page 8

‘WOOLMARK’ STANDARDS

Discussion In England Textile experts from 14 countries met in Britain recently to discuss ways of ensuring consumers get high quality in wool goods. The experts were the quality controllers from the International Wool Secretariat’s European and North American branches. They discussed the enforcement of standards for the world quality symbol, “woolmark.” The meeting opened in London and later moved to Nottingham for a three-day quality control conference at. the premises of the Hosiery and Allied Trades Research Association. The woolmark was launch-! ed in six countries—the! United Kingdom. Germany,' ' the United States. Holland. I Belgium and Japan this! autumn. In these countries the woolmark, in its first phase, certifies that garments bearing it are of pure new wool. The remainder of the secretariat's 17 branch countries will introduce the woolmark next year, and the assurances given by the symbol will be! extended to certain performance characteristics. Because in most of the i ! larger markets the woolmark is a certification symbol! ! rather than an ordinary I trademark, it is backed by ; the laws of the country in which it is used, and govern- ■ ments must be satisfied adequate control is being j exercised. The work of the quality controllers is thus crucial to the woolmark's success.