Tribute to global environmental pioneer, Anita Roddick dies at the early age of 64.

T Shirt and Sons would like to pay tribute to an inspiring women, Anita Roddick the founder of Body Shop and campaigner for environmental issues.

www.anitaroddick.com

The autumn issue of Certification News (The Soil Association’s Certification Ltd quarterly magazine) has released the latest updated standards for 2008. The textile changes they have updated are as follows

• Require sewn-in labels to give full organic fibre content and include the symbol and licensee code. This will be phased in over a two-year period.

• Add tanning products (sulphuric acid, boric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid and sodium metabisulphite) for de-liming.

High street fashion brands are in the firing line after reports of factory labour wages are so poor that the money workers earn does not come close to paying them enough to survive. There are some interesting facts and figures about the Brands and their workers rights, which can be found at ‘Labour behind the Label’s’ website www.cleanupfashion.co.uk.

UK based manufacturer, Continental Clothing are making waves with a new environmentally friendly brand they are due to launch in the not too distant future. They are claiming that the cotton clothing that they produce will be the first of its kind and will be CO2 neutral, Organic and Fair Trade. The initial products that will be on offer are men’s and women’s t-shirts. To find out more about ‘Earth Positive’ and the ‘carbon zero’ range please log onto www.earthpositiveonline.com

After excessive levels of the cancer – causing agent formaldehyde were found in textiles brought in from China, Australia is set to crack down on Chinese imports. Following growing public concern the Australian Department of Health will be testing a range of clothing for “significant residual formaldehyde”. Just across the sea New Zealand has reason for concern as children’s clothes have been found to contain dangerous levels of chemicals – with a recall of children’s pyjamas after two children were burned when their flannelette nightwear caught fire. Interestingly formaldehyde is one of the main agents forbidden in organic textiles and to that extent we at T Shirt and Sons use a ‘formaldehyde – free’ printing process.