Over 50 apparel factories certified by SGS

'Garments Without Guilt' website re-launched:

Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) celebrated key milestones of Sri Lanka Apparel at a special function held for the apparel industry.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the "Garments Without Guilt" certificates to over 60 factories certified by SGS for having complied under the Charter of "Garments Without Guilt".

The certificates were presented by Jonathan Hall, Director, Global Corporate Responsibility Solutions, SGS

The SGS certification comes following an agreement between Sri Lanka Apparel and SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd to monitor and certify the Code of Conduct of the apparel industry.

SGS Group, the world's largest organisation in the field of inspection, verification, testing and certification, has more than 250 auditors with Social Accountability expertise in 40 countries.

Using the best practice guidance provided by SGS, Sri Lanka Apparel developed its Code of Conduct to certify on the basis of the industry's commitment to ethical working conditions, free of child labour, free of forced labour, free of discrimination and free of sweatshop practices.

Commenting on the initiative, Chairman of JAAF Ajith Dias stated "We are pleased to have SGS on board this program. Certification of our guiding principles by a world renowned auditing body re-affirms our commitment."

Jonathan Hall added, "Sri Lanka Apparel must be commended for this initiative. In an expanding global economy, where increased scrutiny of how and where a product is manufactured, Sri Lanka Apparel is quite responsibly stepping up to the challenge, a position to be emulated."

The "Garments Without Guilt" website was also re-launched at the ceremony by Ajith Dias - Chairman of JAAF followed by a presentation by Kumar Mirchandani - Chairman of the Marketing Committee of JAAF on the "Garments Without Guilt" campaign and its road to success since it was launched over two years ago.

Country Manager for Marks and Spencer Neil Hacket in Sri Lanka who was present at the ceremony also spoke on ethical manufacturing and Sri Lanka's commitment to providing quality garments with the highest manufacturing standards.

The Joint Apparel Association Forum held this event in association with the International Trade Center/EU as the culmination of a series of ITC funded trade development programmes. These included marketing and sourcing programmes to Italy, France, Germany and India.