The Russian Quality System (Roskachestvo), together with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, is starting to study the quality of clothing for schoolchildren. In 15 regions of Russia, experts will anonymously purchase samples sewn for girls and examine them in specialized laboratories in three directions:safety indicators, quality indicators and enhanced consumer properties.

About 100 samples of uniforms of domestic and foreign production will be purchased at retail outlets in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tula, Chelyabinsk regions, Krasnodar Territory and ten other regions of Russia. The study will include the most popular brands among Russians.

This year, Roskachestvo is researching skirts and sundresses for girls, since in 2016, fan studies of trousers and shirts for boys have already been conducted. Recall that the first studies revealed deviations in sanitary and hygienic indicators at the level of 67%. At the same time, 2016 studies showed a high level of quality of tailoring at enterprises whose production is localized in Russia.

Clothing tests will be carried out on more than 50 parameters, including the presence of toxic elements, stain resistance, the ability of the fabric to breathe, absorb and retain moisture. In addition, the test program includes «consumer » indicators ‒ quality of tailoring, abrasion, pilling (appearance of pellets during operation), change of linear dimensions after washing. Only clothes sewn from really high-quality fabrics and with appropriate accessories will be able to meet the standards of Roskachestvo and receive a Russian Quality Mark.

«The quality of the clothes in which children go to school, justifiably worries parents.This is not only important from the point of view of aesthetics and discipline, but can also have an impact on the health of students, because they spend several hours a day at school.

Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation

At the same time, the expert community has repeatedly noted that the main problem of the market is the quality of incoming fabrics.

"In order for uniforms for schoolchildren to be not only beautiful, but also high‒quality and affordable for parents of any level of material wealth, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia subsidizes the costs of producing clothes for primary school students from Russian worsted and polyviscose fabrics," the minister noted. ‒ The provision of subsidies allows garment workers to reduce the cost of making school uniforms, and parents can purchase clothes from materials that are safe for children's health.

The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation clarified that for Russia the traditional product is half‒wool. This fabric is produced by three factories, which the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation supports. And relatively recently, in the last year and a half, and also thanks to the current measures of support from the state, polyviscose began to be produced in our country. Several modern Russian factories have established industrial production of this fabric at once and are actively working on new products that can meet the great demand of manufacturers.

The results of the study will be presented on the Roskachestvo portal in August. This is just the period of active preparation for the school season, when most parents buy school clothes for children. The data obtained will help parents choose a high-quality form based on expert assessments.

SOYUZLEGPROM is also going to take a close look at the safety of school uniforms. By the decision of the leadership of the Russian Union of Textile and Light Industry Entrepreneurs, a Committee on the development of school uniform production is being created in the structure of the industry association.

Currently, active consultations are being held with manufacturers of school uniforms, the composition of the Committee is being formed, the Regulation on the new working structure of the SOYUZLEGPROm and the working agenda are being developed.

The project manager has been assigned to act as the head of the Committee "Our Form"Elena Snytnikova.

Photo: JSC «MPSHO Smena»