Aussie wool warms to Europe’s eco-label challenge
A small scale processing facility to help Australian wool producers meet the processing standards established by the European Eco-label for Textiles has been set up by CSIRO’s Textile and Fibre Technology.
Aimed at creating ecologically friendly stamps of approval for clothing textiles, the Eco-label for Textiles allows consumers to recognise garments made from clean, low residue wools that have been processed using clean production methods. The requirements cover all processing stages of scouring, spinning, dyeing and finishing.
CSIRO says that in addition to the processing plant, it has extended its low-cost residue testing service to cover the special needs of the EC Eco-label. This is aimed at assisting growers and buyers in the production of low residue wool that is needed to start the supply chain. It can also provide auditing and consulting abilities to assist other processors in meeting the criteria set down by the label.
Comments Dr Ian Russell, manager of the Environmental Analysis Group at CSIRO’s Textile and Fibre Technology Centre; "The new eco-labels have been developed to recognise the fundamental shift to ‘Green’ purchasing in most European countries. Surveys consistently show that mainstream consumers in the major European centres now make purchasing decisions based on ecological concerns.
"In Australia, we have the raw wool to easily meet the requirements of the EC Eco-label for Textiles. When a processing supply chain is established, the EC Eco-label for Textiles will allow improved recognition of low residue Australian wools in the marketplace."
