ASBCI technical seminar to address effective risk management in the fashion supply chain

On Wednesday, September 11, the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry will host a technical seminar titled ‘The challenges of risk assessment and product development’.

This 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, Mr Prasad 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 covered by Geoffrey Willis, international senior apparel industry specialist from CText FTI. Mr Willis 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.

Ms Cosh 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 and guest experts.

The seminar will take place at Eastwood Hall in Nottingham. To book visit www.asbci.co.uk