More laboratories gain SATRA accreditation

Additional facilities have met the stringent requirements.

Another five laboratories have recently been added to the extensive list of SATRA-accredited facilities around the world. These are:

• Eccolet Fabrica De Sapatos Lda (Portugal)
• Fujian Tyche (China)
• Kingmaker (Vietnam) Footwear Co Ltd (Vietnam)
• Leather & Shoes Research Institute (Vietnam)
• Xiamen Luxinjia Import & Export Co Ltd (China).

There are currently 163 laboratories that have been accredited by SATRA. In order to achieve this distinction, the facilities have to undergo a rigorous auditing process, based on the ability to test to specific methods and standards. An in-house laboratory must be well controlled with clearly defined responsibilities. Its quality system, equipment, environment and members of staff need to prove to be of a very high standard. Regular SATRA audits ensure an ongoing commitment.

The SATRA Accredited Laboratory programme is recognised throughout the global footwear and leathergoods industries as an authoritative stamp of quality between business partners. It is effective throughout the supply chain all the way down to retailers and consumers. For instance, manufacturers and material suppliers benefit from being able to present meaningful and accurate test data. Resourcing companies benefit from a more reliable evaluation of products and general improvement in quality and fitness-for-purpose. Displaying a SATRA Accredited Laboratory certificate has proved to be a major selling point in helping to attract and retain customer orders.

SATRA's experts regularly travel to member companies to provide training in testing. The only requirement is that the necessary test equipment is available on-site. Where this is not the case, we can deliver training at SATRA’s UK headquarters, or at our facilities in Dongguan, China. We can provide interpreters if required, and trainees are expected to carry out tests under supervision. SATRA also provides assessment services to finalise training and to ensure its effectiveness. Our training extends to interpretation of test results and, in many cases, guidance on identifying corrective action to improve poor performance.

Photograph above shows The Fujian Tyche tannery laboratory in Zhangzhou City, which has received SATRA accreditation for the first time. The company currently employs some 200 members of staff, and has plans to expand production of its leather which is purchased by a number of international brand owners. Photograph shows, from left: Alan Liao (laboratory supervisor), laboratory technicians Coco Zheng and David Pan, and SATRA’s John Reed.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 6 of the December 2016 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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