Pashmina lab gets new tools for testing GI products

Brand promotion of genuine hand-made products from Kashmir has received a significant boost with addition of the state-of-the-art testing equipment in Handicrafts and Handloom Department’s Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC), at the Craft Development Institute, Srinagar.

In a statement issued here today, a spokesperson from the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, said this upgraded HR Digital Microscope System will greatly enhance PTQCC’s ability to test and certify Pashmina fibres for the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) label, which certifies Pashmina fibre as a mark of distinction in the global niche markets. The spokesperson said the new equipment shall facilitate precise and efficient testing, thereby guaranteeing that only authentic Pashmina products are certified.

“This will provide a major fillip to the entire handicraft and handloom sector in J&K, helping artisans and craft businesses access new markets and better opportunities,” he added.