ホーム

Retailers Fall Foul of Cashmere Laws

The following article is from the April 14, 2001 issue of "Drapers Record", a journal published in the United Kingdom:

By Louise Foster

Cashmere labelling regulations are being breached by 9 out of 14 high street retailers, according to the Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI).

The retailers, which included mail order companies, were selling mislabelled sweaters. One sweater labelled as 100 per cent cashmere was made of sheep's wool.

Under the Trade Description Act and Textile Products Regulations, sales of mislabelled goods are a criminal offence, even if the retailer is not aware of the mislabelling.

Regulations extend to external swing tags and promotional material. When the word cashmere is used, it must be for a 100% cashmere product, not a blend.

Karl Spilhaus, president of CCMI, said: "The misinformation could originate anywhere down the supply chain. Nevertheless, the retailer retains the responsibility for accurate labelling." Spilhaus said that the availability of wrongly labelled cashmere was damaging the business of pure cashmere manufacturers.

He explained: "The retail buyer is driven by price so they don't ask enough questions or get testing done."

Keiron Birch, head of design at Lawson Cashmere, which supplies Mulberry and The Cashmere Company, agreed: "Stores want to have cashmere to entice customers, but they have to reduce their margins to sell it at a commercial price. Therefore there is pressure on the suppliers to produce it cheaply."

Copyright 2001 Drapers Record