News for Dec 20, 2024

A turbulent end to a turbulent year.

Looming tariff threats, an imploding federal government and weary consumers. Not the ideal way to enter the holidays! But from our perspective, that are reasons to be hopeful this holiday season. We welcome the support of many new members and we are gratified that we are making a difference to so many companies. We have received hugely positive feedback from members about recent events and initiatives. Our upgraded website alone has vastly increased our ability to get important information to the trade. 2025 looks like a busy year, and we will be announcing new partners and initiatives in January. If you are not already a member, contact us to discuss where you would fit in. Our office will be closed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2. We wish everyone a holiday where you can enjoy some downtime and recharge for what promises to be an "exciting" 2025.

The new motto for 2025:

Italian Fashion: Track, Trace, and Authenticate

Canadian consumers are seeking premium, authentic Italian products now more than ever, reflecting a broader shift toward quality and sustainability. To meet this demand, Italian manufacturers are embracing cutting-edge technology thanks to the Italian Trade Agency’s TrackIT Blockchain program – a digital business solution ensuring authenticity, traceability, and transparency. “By partnering with an Italian TrackIT Blockchain supplier, Canadian companies can trace a product’s journey from raw materials to purchase, bolstering global trust of the Made in Italy brand and responding to consumers’ demand for transparency,” said Marco Saladini, Trade Commissioner in Canada. [More Info]


REPORT: The State of Fashion 2025
Though hard to predict even in the best of times, the fashion industry is in for a particularly tumultuous and uncertain 2025. A long-feared cyclical slowdown has arrived. Consumers, scarred by the recent period of high inflation, are increasingly price-sensitive. There is also the surprising rise of dupes, the acceleration of climate change and the continued reshuffling of global trade. … [More Info]


Featured CAF Discount Program: CS Payment - Clover
CS Payment proudly offers cutting-edge payment processing technology with exclusive rates for CAF members across Canada. Accept Visa, Mastercard, Interac, Amex, and more, with next-morning deposits to any bank. Maximize your savings with our merchant surcharge program, reducing processing fees by up to 80%. Offerings include: A full range of Clover terminals, tablets, and POS systems- Internet connectivity via … [More Info]

Health Canada: children's sleepwear recall
The recalled Pehr Designs Inc. Kimono Rompers do not comply with the flammability requirements for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children. Loose-fitting children’s sleepwear can contact ignition sources such as stove elements, candles, and matches more readily than tight-fitting sleepwear, and once ignited will burn rapidly, potentially resulting in severe burns to large areas of the … [More Info]


New logistics provider for CAF discount program
Darwynn Fulfillment, a leading provider of tech-enabled logistics solutions, offers CAF members exclusive benefits, including up to 15% savings on fulfillment and shipping services. Our strategically located Canadian fulfillment centers, combined with advanced technology, enable seamless order processing and integration across e-commerce, retail, and wholesale channels. … [More Info]

Recent CAF webinars: Trade and Environmental Compliance

Webinar: Canadian PFAS and Plastics Registry Compliance

The Canadian Apparel Federation and Claigan Environmental Inc. presented two separate webinars on compliance requirements for Canadian PFAS reporting and the Federal Plastics Registry ---- with specific attention to the apparel and textiles industries. If you missed the webinar, make sure to access the recording and slides. The Canadian PFAS reporting deadline is set for January 29, 2025. … [More Info]

CAF Webinar: US Tariffs on imports - update and panel discussion

CAF presented an excellent webinar on the incoming US administration's approach to tariffs and trade issues. The webinar includes a slide presentation and a panel discussion covering the following topics:

Threat of US Tariffs on Canada, Mexico
The threat of additional tariffs on China
North American free trade - status of CUSMA/USMCA renewal
De-minimis program - upcoming changes
Various programs/approaches to tariffs open to the new administration - implications for importers into the United States

The recording is accessible to CAF members in our webinar archive.

Webinar: CAF Trade Policy Update

CAF on Dec. 18, 2024, presented a detailed update on important trade and sourcing issues affecting the sector. The webinar covers a variety of important issues dictating company sourcing policies going forward, including North American free trade ( status of CUSMA renewal), US Tariffs, Canada-Indonesia FTA, CP-TPP issues (Vietnam), LDC Program changes taking effect Jan. 1, 2025 and Value for duty.

The recording is accessible to CAF members in our webinar archive.

New CAF Members

We welcome these new members that have joined in recent weeks. If your firm is not already a member, Join today. Or if you would like to speak to us about the benefits of membership Contact Us.

Exportise Inc.
With over 40 years of experience exporting Canadian textiles to 75 countries, and 20 years working with Canadian companies helping them to access all available Provincial and Federal government funding, Exportise Inc. is well-placed to assist your firm's export and government funding strategies. [More Info]


SGS Canada Inc
We operate a network of over 2,700 laboratories and business facilities across 119 countries, supported by a team of 99,250 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence. Due to the diverse nature of the industry, there are multiple manufacturers, suppliers and other actors along the supply chain. We can assist every player in this market … [More Info]


Cansew Inc.
Manufacturer of industrial sewing threads; commission dyer; distributor of elastics; tapes; Velcro brand fasteners; scissors, cutting room supplies etc. Celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2024. [More Info]


Athletik Clothing Inc.
With a production base in Asia, Athletik Clothing Inc. is a specialized Vertically Integrated OEM manufacturer and supplier of flatlock stitch and activeseam underwear, sportswear and outdoor clothing in addition to regular knitted apparel. The company also does knitting fabric production for its cut-and-sew production and direct export. Athletik Clothing Inc. does custom production for wholesalers, importers and private labels … [More Info]

New Information on www.caf-fcv.ca

Become a CAF partner

The Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF) offers a variety of opportunities for leading industry suppliers to work together. Having such partnerships in place is now more important than ever before, and these partnerships allow us to find innovative new ways to fulfill our mandate to support the industry. As the national association for the Canadian apparel industry, we are in a … [More Info]

CAF Bulletin - rates and specifications

The CAF Bulletin newsletter, newly formatted for 2024, is published once every two weeks. It summarizes industry news on trade, regulations, retail, design, and technology. Our unique advocacy efforts provide readers with a trusted source of information. We simplify complex regulatory issues, focusing on the business of fashion, particularly supply chains. The Bulletin is your vehicle to deliver valuable information … [More Info]

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