About the Farmers QA Team:
Here at Farmers we have a large team of people that are committed to ensuring that the goods you buy from us are of a high quality.
Our Quality Assurance team consists of:
- Garment Technologists - this team ensures that a garments construction is of a high standard to suit the fabrication and that the garment fits the body well. They work closely with our buying department and suppliers to achieve these goals. Accessories such as zippers/buttons are checked for suitability to ensure a quality garment is produced.
- Lab Specialists - our highly qualified lab team test over 10000 samples each year on site using specialised machinery. We test for things such as:
- colour-fastness (under various conditions)
- pilling
- shrinkage
- seam-slippage (how strong the seams of a garment are).
- QA Inspectors - This group takes a selection of products from every order for inspection. This is to ensure that the product is what we have ordered, and that the NZ requirements for labeling and safety are followed by all of our suppliers. A selection of clothing from each garment order is taken one step further and checked to ensure the standards set by the garment technologists and that the care instructions set by the lab have been met.
The majority of our products are passed through this process with the exception of private label goods, in which case the supplier is responsible for the compliance and safety of the item.
As new quality guidelines are introduced we can assure you that we are committed to working with the necessary government departments and organisations to ensure correct and safe guidelines are created and followed to safeguard our consumers.
Use of Azo Dyes.
There are some Azo dyes that are known to be carcinogenic (cancer causing). Farmers have, for many years now, banned the use of these types of dyes in the manufacture of textiles and clothing for supply to our stores. There are currently no New Zealand government imposed restrictions on these types of dyes.
Children's Sleepwear
At this time we feel that it is important to remind our customers about the fire safety guidelines for children's sleepwear. It is important to note that most fabrics are flammable (especially cotton & cotton based) and parental supervision of children around fires and heaters is the best way of ensuring your child's safety.
All children's sleepwear, and some daywear for infants sold in NZ must comply with the AS/NZS 1249:2003 safety standard. Garments may comply in three ways.
1. A white LOW FIRE DANGER label identifies garments made from fabrics that burn more slowly or melt away from the heat source.
WARNING: LOW fire danger DOES NOT mean NO fire danger.
2.
An orange CAUTION NOT HEAT OR FLAME RESISTANT, WEAR SNUG FITTING TO REDUCE RISK label identifies garments where the fabrics burn too quickly to qualify for the white fire label. They are designed to reduce the risk of coming into contact with a heat source, these are pyjama and all-in-one (stretch and grow) styles. To be effective the garment must snugly fit the wearer.
WARNING: If an over-size, loose-fitting garment is worn, the fire risk is greatly increased.
3.
A red HIGH FIRE DANGER label identifies garments that may easily catch fire because of their styling and the fabric used. Infant Sleepbags made of fabrics that burn too quickly to qualify for the white fire label must have a red label.
WARNING: These are often summer-weight garments that should not be worn close to winter heat sources.
Remember: Children must be supervised at all times around heat sources.
