SGS, a leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, has opened a state-of-the-art, apparel and textiles testing laboratory in Ethiopia.

Located on the Hawassa Industrial Park, Hawassa in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPRS) of Ethiopia, SGS’s new laboratory provides fast and efficient tailor-made testing services to local business, assuring compliance with the relevant international regulations and requirements.

SGS’s presence in Ethiopia, one of the most important textiles and garment manufacturing sites in East Africa, will contribute to, and strengthen, the local apparel industry’s ability to meet the requirements of global standards and international markets.

Hub for RMG exports

“Ethiopia is becoming a hub for ready-made garment (RMG) exports to Europe and the USA, clearly demonstrating an increase in demand for consumer product testing services in this region,” said Spencer Yeung, Vice President of SGS Global Softlines.

“Our new state-of-the-art facility can test against an array of international safety, quality and compliance requirements. In addition, our program of future development and investment ensures that this lab will be the only fully-fledged textile testing laboratory in the region.”

First garment factory

Ethiopia’s long history in textiles began in 1939 when the first garment factory was established. In recent years the country’s textiles and apparel industry has grown at an average at over 50% and more than 65 international textile investment projects have been licensed as foreign investors, during this period.

In addition to its testing services, SGS’s quality inspection, compliance audits, factory assessment and loading supervision bring to Ethiopia a one-stop service for the country’s textiles industry.

SGS is a leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. With more than 94,000 employees, it operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

www.sgs.com