Intertek, a total quality assurance provider, has launched local services in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to support fashion and footwear retailers and brands that are increasing their sourcing activity in the region. Intertek’s expansion will offer local sample collection with courier service to the Softlines laboratory in Guatemala City. With dedicated technical experts stationed in the Dominican Republic, inspection of soft goods products such as garment and home textiles can be performed both locally and in Haiti to eliminate costly and lengthy travel.
In addition, the Intertek Guatemala laboratory has also recently added new restricted substance testing (RSL) for a full range of Azo dyes, disperse dyes, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), heavy metals and APEO/NPEO, as well as high-performance fabric testing capabilities, such as anti-bacterial testing (AATCC 100 and JIS 1902), drying rate (AATCC 201 and 199), water vapour permeability (ASTM E96) and ultraviolent protection factor (UPF) of fabric (AATCC 183), to provide best-in-class testing services for textiles and footwear products produced throughout the entire Latin America region, Intertek said in a report.
“Haiti and the Dominican Republic have become key sourcing countries for US brands and retailers with the passage of the HOPE and HELP Acts, which grant duty-free access to the US market for Haitian textile and apparel exports,” explained Intertek’s Rudy Semrau, Regional Director, Softlines, Latin America. “We see tremendous growth potential in the region and our expansion in this region is an important step in further reinforcing Intertek’s position as a leading total quality assurance partner to Latin America’s textiles and apparel industry.”
Intertek’s increased presence in Haiti and the Dominican Republic will enhance the company’s strong capabilities throughout Latin America, which include ISO 17025-accredited Softlines laboratories in Mexico and Guatemala, and inspection services in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.
