Trade and Support Organisations

Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ASBCI)

ASBCI is a trade group that represents a range of actors within the UK clothing industry, ranging from fibre manufacture to garment manufacture, retail and aftercare.

British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB)

Under The British Wool Marketing Scheme of 1950, the BWMB is required to register all producers with four or more sheep (with the exception of Shetland, which has its own arrangement). The BWMB is a non-profit making organisation, returning to producers the market price for their wool, less its own costs.

Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC)

SDC is a professional, chartered charity that focuses on education. Their aim is to advance colour science and technology on behalf of their members and industry.

Textile Institute

The Textile Institute is a trade group that aims to represent all of those involved in textiles, ranging from industrial and commercial operations from fibre production to the use of products by individual and corporate consumers.

Textile Recycling Association (TRA)

TRA is a UK-wide trade association for used clothing and textile collectors, sorters and reprocessors.

Textile Services Association (TSA)

TSA is a trade group that represents the laundry, drycleaning and textile rental industries in the United Kingdom.

UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT)

UKFT is an inustry group that represents suppliers of fashion and textiles.

Further Guidance

Zero Waste Scotland and WRAP Northern Ireland offer free and confidential advice and support to help you reduce your environmental impact and save money. They can help with reducing your business's waste and use of water, packaging and raw materials.

The Carbon Trust can help your business to improve its energy use and reduce its carbon emissions.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) website has information dedicated to the manufacturing industry.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has produced a Sustainable Manufacturing Toolkit for use by businesses in the manufacturing sector.

Find other trade associations relevant to your business using the Trade Association Forum website.

In this guide