Industry issues in 2008

Are new EU curbs likely on Chinese apparel imports? Will Vietnam import monitoring lead to anti-dumping duties? And what will happen when US safeguards expire at the end of 2008? These are just three of the industry issues highlighted in just-style's round-up of the international apparel trade agenda in 2008.

Eight apparel industry issues to watch in 2008

18 January 2008

ANALYSIS: Are rising costs hurting Chinese apparel?

15 January 2008

Rising prices on garments made in China could well be a possibility for retailers and importers this year. As Dominique Patton reports from Beijing, the country is starting to look less compelling as a sourcing hub as rising wages, new labour laws, worker shortages, the appreciation of the yuan and higher exporting costs all begin to bite.

VIETNAM: Vitas hires US firm to fight import monitoring

21 December 2007

Vietnamese apparel and textile firms are to pay a surcharge on garments exported to the US to cover the cost of international consultants who have been hired to help them navigate trade barriers in 2008.

EU: MEPs urge scrutiny of Chinese textile imports

14 December 2007

EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson has promised to take action if there is a sudden upsurge in textile imports from China when clothing safeguard quotas are lifted on 1 January 2008.

US: New research finds harmful chemicals in children’s wear

6 December 2007

Researchers have found elevated levels of hazardous chemicals in samples of children's clothing made overseas, prompting new concerns about the safety of imported products.

ANALYSIS: How buying practices impact workers’ rights

4 October 2007

The fashion industry is waking up to the fact that the buying practices of retailers and brands are contributing to poor working conditions in many of the factories who supply their clothes. But solutions are not so easy to come by, as Leonie Barrie finds out.

CHINA: Fewer exporters bid for US textile quotas

18 September 2007

The number of Chinese textile and apparel companies bidding for quotas to export to the US has fallen for the first time this year according to local reports.