British Apparel and Textile Confederation (BATC)
BATC represents the entire textile and apparel supply chain, from fibre, yarn and fabric producers through to household textiles providers and garment manufacturers. Its aim is to provide a centralised resource and a single voice on issues that affect the industry. Formed in 1992 it represents a significant sector in the UK economy, employing over 165,000 people. In 2005, the industry's annual sales were in excess £9 billion and exports amounted to £6 billion. Retail sales of clothing and textiles was some £47 billion in 2005.

 

Membership
The Confederation's members are the principal trade associations, representing 80% of the apparel and textile firms in the UK. Member companies cover all the stages of the textile, clothing and knitting manufacturing process.

 

Each of the sectoral and regional organisations within the industry provides a range of specialist services specific to its own membership. Companies that are members of any of these associations also benefit from the services that are provided centrally by BATC.

 

Industry Hub
BATC is based at 5 Portland Place. This central London location is the hub for all clothing and textiles activities in the UK. It is home to the British Clothing Industry Association as well as UK Fashion Export plus numerous other industry related bodies.

Activities
BATC and its member associations are involved in a range of activities:

 

Representation
BATC represents the interests of UK companies to government at national and international levels. As a founder member of EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Organisation, BATC has a powerful voice in representations to the European Commission on those issues, which are negotiated at a pan-national level.

 

BATC was instrumental in establishing the Textile and Clothing Strategy Group (TCSG) and has played a leading role in ensuring that the recommendations contained within the TCSG's National Strategy for the Clothing and Textile Industry are acted upon both by the industry and by government.

 

Through its Environment Committee, BATC keeps a breast of any proposed environmental legislation which could affect the industry. It lobbies at national and international level to ensure that changes in legislation do not present an undue burden to industry and do not create barriers to international trade. This role is growing in importance as the amount of legislation in this area continues to increase.

 

Other Activities
BATC provides a wide range of centralised services, including statistics on the industry, assistance in the development of standards and educational support for schools and universities. It has links throughout local and national government and liaises directly with Government Departments on specific issues.