|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Silk Mark is an assurance of quality that will help consumers get All that’s smooth and lustrous is not silk. How does one determine the quality by just looking at the fabric and ensure that one gets what one pays for when buying pure silk? Well, finally, help is at hand. To protect consumer interest, the Central Silk Board sponsored last year, the Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI) to administer the silk quality mark on 100 per cent natural silk. Represented by an artistic depiction of a moth, the high-security e-beam hologram is to pure silk, what hallmark is to gold. It is a third party assurance that what you are buying is 100 per cent genuine natural silk. The scheme was first launched in Bangalore in June, 2004 and subsequently in Mumbai and Chennai. Traders, silk manufacturers, exporters, cooperatives, corporate bodies or even individuals can become members. To become an authorised user of the label, they have to undergo a training programme designed for the purpose and execute a legal agreement with SMOI. In case of any consumer complaint, SMOI acts as a facilitator for grievance redressal, gets the product tested and in case the product is not up to the mark, ensures that the authorised user pays the consumer, damages. The CSB plans to launch an intensive programme aimed at creating quality consciousness among silk buyers. Internationally, this is the first attempt at putting a quality label on 100 per cent natural silk. Unlike wool and cotton, for which international marks exist, there is no international silk mark. The Central Silk Board therefore hopes that the scheme would also create a brand image of Indian silk as quality silk in the international market. The SMOI also issues "Vanya" quality label to non-mulberry or wild silks which include Eri, Mogha and tussar. Ninety per cent of the silk (16,000 MT) that India produces is mulberry while the rest is non-mulberry or wild silk. The wild silks are particularly popular as furnishing fabrics. You may find this difficult to believe, but silk is one of the strongest of textile fibres. It’s not just good to look at, but it is also durable. However, it is weak when wet, even though it regains the original strength once dry. It is lustrous, elastic and does not wrinkle badly. It is also hygroscopic and absorbs about 10 per cent of moisture, but still looks and feels comparatively dry. Since pure silk is expensive, unscrupulous manufacturers and retailers find it extremely profitable to palm off artificial silk or silk of inferior quality as superior quality pure silk and given the advances in textile technology, it is difficult for consumers to judge the quality at the time of purchase. So whether you are buying a wedding saree from Kanjeevaram or a crepe silk dress material or even pure chiffon for summer, ask for the Silk Mark logo. And make sure that the
cash receipt that the retailer issues mentions that you have bought a
product with the quality mark. You can also log on to
www.silkmarkidia.com to check the names of dealers who have the silk
mark products. |
