Textile industry calls to prevent imports of school uniforms made abroad

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Textile Industry Association (Aditex) has proposed that authorities introduce identification and traceability controls for school uniforms to prevent garments manufactured abroad from being presented as Dominican-made in public procurement processes.

The association expressed concern that finished garments imported from foreign markets, particularly Asia, could be used to fulfill contracts that require local production.

Aditex asked the National Institute of Student Welfare (Inabie) to coordinate with the General Directorate of Customs (DGA) to address potential violations within their respective responsibilities.

The association noted that labels alone cannot verify a garment’s origin, as they can be added during production abroad. It therefore recommended combining labeling with production inspections, batch traceability, and documented verification processes.

According to Aditex, the measures would strengthen oversight of school uniform contracts, ensure that agreements awarded for local manufacturing actually generate Dominican production, and help protect formal jobs in the textile industry.

The association also called for its proposals to undergo technical evaluation and be established through official samples and uniform criteria for all bidders, with the aim of increasing transparency in public procurement and supporting domestic production and employment.