In Brief

SDC's new ISO standard for colour fastness to industrial laundering

A new international standard has been developed by the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) acting in its capacity as the secretariat to the UK working group of British Standards Institution Committee BSI TCI/81, WG1. Published on November 1, 2004, the standard is designed to ensure colour fastness during industrial laundering procedures. It has been developed specifically by the Society for bed linen, table linen and corporate wear and establishes four distinct test conditions for the processes involved.

Comments technical officer Mr Andrew Filarowski, "The Society is proud to have taken a lead with this standard which was written by the committee and accepted by the 21 participating countries necessary for any standard to be published. This test method will now be passed forward for a vote for inclusion as a British Standard (BS) and a European Standard (EN)."

"This is another example of how the Society and SDC Enterprises are working in partnership for the benefit of the coloration industry and, ultimately, the consumer on the high street," added Mr Filarowski.

DGAD recommends provisional ADD on woven fabric

The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties has recommended imposition of provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of woven fabrics from China and Chinese Taipei. The provisional anti-dumping duties are equal to the difference between US$ 7.61 per kg for Chinese Taipei and US$ 8.02 per kg for China and the landed value of imports per kg. The period of investigation for the inquiry was January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003. The authority initiated the investigation on a petition by Sky Industries.

China, Japan, SKorea, ASEAN to start FTA feasibility study

China and relevant countries will begin a feasibility study very soon for an East Asia Free Trade Area which will cover China, Japan, South Korea and the 10-member ASEAN nations, a senior Chinese trade official said.

China and the ASEAN have begun to implement two major agreements leading to the China-ASEAN free trade area.