Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global…

Question

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry?

1. It allows Indian exporters to compete in high-end markets that prioritise chemical-free products.

2. It confirms that Eri Silk meets international safety, environmental, and quality standards, enabling its entry into premium eco-conscious markets.

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 only
3. C. Both 1 and 2 (Correct answer)
4. D. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer

Option C — C

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option C.

Key Points

• Both statements describe genuine implications, and they are complementary rather than contradictory — which is what makes 'both' correct.
• Statement 1 is correct: Oeko-Tex certification signals that a textile has been tested for harmful substances, allowing Indian exporters to compete in high-end markets where buyers demand chemical-free, safety-tested products.
• Statement 2 is correct: certification independently confirms conformity with international safety, environmental and quality standards, opening the door to premium, eco-conscious segments.
• Third-party verification is what turns a marketing claim into a credential a foreign buyer will accept.
• About Oeko-Tex: it is an independent global testing and certification system for textiles; its best-known label, STANDARD 100, tests every component of an article — thread, button, dye — against limits for harmful substances.
• About Eri Silk: produced mainly in Assam and the North-East from the silkworm Samia ricini, it is known as 'Ahimsa' or peace silk because the moth is allowed to leave the cocoon before it is processed, so the silk is obtained without killing the pupa.
• India is the world's only producer of all four commercial silks — mulberry, tasar, muga and eri — and Muga silk, also from Assam, carries a GI tag.

Exam Tip

• where two statements reinforce rather than conflict with each other, 'both' is often correct — check for a genuine contradiction before rejecting one.