To promote the silk industry and create awareness of Silk Mark, a quality assurance label, the Chennai chapter of Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI) will hold an exhibition at Valluvar Kottam here from December 7 to 12.
“Authorised users of silk mark across the country will showcase their collection at the 4th edition of the Silk Mark Expo. Mulberry, Tussar, Eri and Muga silk items will be on display,” said P.M.Pandi, Deputy Director (Insp.) and Senior Executive, SMOI Regional Development Office. “Contests will be organised as part of the initiative to help consumers identify genuine silk. They will be given samples of mixed silk, non-silk and pure silk and asked to identify them,” he said, adding silk testing facilities would also form part of the expo. “Around 16 States will participate and more than 60 stalls will be put up,” Mr.Pandi told a press meet here on Monday.
SMOI, sponsored by Central Silk Board, Union Ministry of Textile, is propagating the Silk Mark which is meant to be a guiding factor for the consumers of silk. Under the SMOI Chennai chapter, there are presently 400 authorised users, details of which are available on http://www.silkmarkindia.
com.
“To become an authorised user of the Silk Mark, the company should first become a member of SMOI. Any member can become an authorised user by registering their name and executing a license agreement with the SMOI,” said Mr. Pandi. “The SMOI authorises the use of Silk Mark on the members' products who have established credentials as manufacturers, retailers and exporters of genuine silk,” he added.
Mr. Pandi said if consumers have doubts about the quality of Silk Mark items, they can get them tested and confirm the genuineness of the silk at SMOI testing centres.
The authorised user will have to compensate the consumers if the complaint is genuine, he said. Consumers can contact the SMOI Chennai centre on 24892044 or 24894189. The Expo will be open between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. The entry fee is Rs.20.
