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Luxury Fiber Content Testing Service

To take advantage of our luxury fiber testing service, simply print out and complete the testing order form and return it with a garment or fiber sample to CCMI. An independent testing laboratory will conduct a preliminary microscopic scan to evaluate the accuracy of the garment label. The results are sent to CCMI; we will notify you within two weeks of the date we receive your sample.

For Retailers and Manufacturers of Cashmere and Camel Hair Garments and Accessories (not for consumers or general public use).

Offices in Boston, MA and Milan, Italy

CCMI: THE INDUSTRY'S VOICE

Established in 1984, the Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI) is an international trade association representing the interests of producers and manufacturers of cashmere and camel hair fiber, yarn, fabric and garments.

CCMI's objective is to promote and protect the image and integrity of cashmere and camel hair products. It fulfills this mission through domestic and international government relations activities, educational outreach to major retailers and department stores, public and media relations on market trends and industry issues, and product testing to monitor the accuracy of garment labeling.

GARMENT LABELING: THE KEY TO PRODUCT INTEGRITY

Consumer demand for quality cashmere outerwear, sportswear, career wear and accessories continues to grow worldwide. However, since fine-quality cashmere is a finite resource, production often does not keep up with demand.

Because of the growing worldwide demand for quality cashmere products, the fiber content of many cashmere-blend garments is frequently misrepresented by unscrupulous manufacturers, importers and exporters. This problem is most prevalent in woven garments, many of which bear a cashmere label yet actually contain little or no real cashmere, consisting instead of recycled wool and man-made fibers. For knitwear, the problem stems from a low-quality supply of contaminated raw materials.

CCMI'S ROLE

CCMI aggressively monitors the marketplace to ensure that consumers receive the quality they pay for when they purchase a product claiming to be made with "cashmere." In addition, CCMI strives to educate all segments of the industry about this ongoing mislabeling problem and helps businesses identify ways to safeguard the quality of the merchandise they purchase and sell.

CCMI'S LABELING EDUCATION PROGRAM: HELPING YOU TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR CUSTOMERS

CCMI understands that you have spent years building a reputation for providing quality products and unparalleled service. That is why it is important to make sure that the products you sell are of good quality and are properly labeled.

Labeling laws vary from country to country and are difficult to enforce. Therefore the industry must take it upon itself to ensure accurate labeling of garments. Furthermore, in most countries, the retailer is legally responsible for the labeling accuracy of the goods it sells.

CCMI offers a variety of services to help manufacturers and retailers meet this labeling challenge.

LABELING GUIDANCE

CCMI provides advice and consultation on American and international labeling laws, as well as other cashmere industry issues. Simply call, write or e-mail the CCMI office with questions.

RETAILER BRIEFING

CCMI and its members are available to conduct an educational briefing on cashmere labeling for your buying group. Topics may include an update on the current supply situation, overview of the sources of the labeling problem and suggestions for protecting your company from mislabeling.

CCMI'S PRODUCT TESTING SERVICE

Since 1987, CCMI has offered members, retailers and suppliers of cashmere and camel hair goods a free fiber-content testing service to verify claims stated on garment labels.

CCMI is recognized as the industry authority on testing procedures. It utilizes the service of some of the most well respected laboratories throughout the world who are considered leaders in the testing and evaluation of luxury fiber products. Testing approaches employed by these labs include optical microscopic analysis as well as electron microscopy and DNA analysis.

WHEN TO USE THE CCMI TESTING SERVICE

The fiber content testing service is available year-round. Consider performing fiber-content tests whenever you:

1. Buy for a new season
2. Use a new supplier
3. Expand and upgrade product lines
4. Evaluate competitors' products

Conducting a fiber content test on a cashmere or camel hair product before you take delivery of an order will help ensure that you get what you pay for.

CCMI'S FIBER CONTENT TESTING PROCESS

Fiber content testing is generally a quick and easy procedure. Here's how CCMI'S service works:

1. Send a fabric swatch or garment sample to the CCMI office with the attached form. Include your name, address and telephone number, as well as a description of the product, its claimed fiber content, country of origin, manufacturer and brand name.
2. CCMI will send the sample to an approved independent testing laboratory for analysis.
3. The lab will perform a microscopic scan on each sample to determine fiber content.
4. CCMI will notify you in writing of the confidential test results, generally within two weeks, and return the garment sample.

CCMI has found the scan to be a reliable indicator if a sample is mislabeled. However, a full-scale analysis is the only way to definitively determine specific fiber content.

WHAT IF THE GARMENT IS MISLABELED?

If the results of the microscopic scan suggest the product is mislabeled, a full-scale follow-up analysis can be performed on the garment sample. CCMI will provide you with the names of several qualified laboratories. A full-scale fiber content analysis can range in price from $200 to $500, depending on the actual fiber blend.

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