ASBCI technical seminar to address effective risk management in the fashion supply chain
As regulations get tighter and customer expectations rise, find out why risk management in the early stages of product development is becoming more and more critical for fashion businesses at the ASBCI’s upcoming technical seminar ‘The challenges of risk assessment and product development’ sponsored by TÜV SÜD.
The risk of reputational damage from a non-compliant or unsafe product has never been higher. This applies as much to the fashion industry as any other, and as a result the risk assessment process is becoming much more complex. The ASBCI’s technical seminar will provide an in-depth look at the latest product safety regulations, explain how to identify the areas of highest risk in supply chains, and consider the importance of fabric selection, performance, and testing.
The seminar is organised in collaboration with TÜV SÜD, a global provider of testing, product and system certifications, and auditing services. TÜV SÜD’s general manager of technical solutions (textiles) Guru Prasad is the event’s keynote speaker. With 30 years’ experience in the sector, Guru will open the seminar with a regulatory update before addressing the issue of product recalls, looking at recall trends, common product failures and construction issues. He will also discuss preventative measures that can be taken to reduce failure rates.
Supply chain risks will be addressed by Geoffrey Willis, international senior apparel industry specialist from CText FTI. Geoffrey will explain how the combination of fashion’s complex, offshore supply chains, increasing service level requirements from brands and retailers, and the reduction in hands-on, practical knowledge among buyers has heightened product risk, and outline strategies businesses can adopt to minimise this.
Sophie Patel, a consultant with Appraise PTC, will focus on the importance of fabric in the product development lifecycle, including how to make the right choice, textile properties and requirements. Then industry consultant Geraldine Cosh will delve into the complicated issue of risk assessment and foreseeable use, for example, when a child’s garment is classified as a toy and how this affects the risk assessment process.
Geraldine will also lead the afternoon workshop session, which will feature a practical group risk assessment exercise. This will be followed by an expert forum where delegates will have the opportunity to put questions to the speaker panel.
‘The ASBCI technical seminar is an ideal opportunity for those involved in the supply chain to share their experiences and discuss the key issues facing the sector,’ said keynote speaker Guru Prasad. ‘The seminar will gather together technical experts to provide guidance and help delegates to understand the complexities of international supply chains.’
‘As product requirements and customer quality expectations increase, this seminar will explain how the use of risk assessment from the initial product development stages, from first concept through to material and factory choice, is as important as risk assessing your product for foreseeable use,’ said Claire Franco, Global Technical Account Manager at TÜV SÜD.
The seminar will take place at Eastwood Hall, Nottingham, on Wednesday 11th September. Registration is from 9.30am and places can be booked via the ASBCI: 01422 354666 – [email protected].
For more information, or to request a press place, please contact Lotte Debell on [email protected] or 07969440089.
