Pashmina: an ambiguous term, sometimes synonymous with fraud

Italian custom seizes mislabeled scarves at Florence airport. 

The term “pashmina” has recently become fashionable, but what is it really? Indian or Nepalese cashmere? A blend of cashmere and silk? A vague definition for a particular type of scarf?

 Italian legislative decree N. 194 of May 22, 1999, which absorbs a European directive and regulates the textile labeling for the information and protection of the consumer does not permit the use of the term “pashmina” in required fiber content disclosure.

  The consumer should therefore look carefully at products labeled pashmina. If it is cashmere, the label should indicate “kashmir” (in Italian, and the translation of this word in other languages: cashmere, cachemire, Kaschmir, and so on..).

 Recently a consignment of Chinese scarves was seized by the customs authorities of the Florence airport.  They were found in violation of art. 517 of penal code (“industrial products with mendacious marks”) and of the above mentioned legislative decree on textile labeling. The customs officers, with the co-operation of CCMI (Cashmere & Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute), an association that includes the most prestigious Italian and foreign names in the cashmere industry, tested the scarves in question. Magazzini Generali of Prato, one of the specialized labs recommended by CCMI for this kind of analysis, have found that the fiber used for the so called “pashminas” was common sheep’s wool treated with special resins to get a softer and slicker handle.

 This co-operation by Italian customs and CCMI results in enhanced protection for both consumers and producers of legitimate high value textile products.

 For many years CCMI has been active in Italy and abroad, monitoring production and trade of cashmere and camel hair articles because of the unfortunate prevalence of mislabeling in the sale of these products.