At last — Country of Origin Labelling
Consumers have been asking
for it . . . industry has been asking for it . . . and at
long last it's here - a certifiable ticketing scheme supervised by
the independent and highly regarded Scottish Tartans
Authority.
The STA coat of arms together with the words 'Scottish Tartans
Authority' is now a registered trademark and a new ticketing scheme
has been introduced to allow weavers and manufacturers to
assure customers of the genuine provenance of their
products.
It should be emphasised that the scheme is only open to bona fide
members of the STA and the acceptance of products for
appropriate ticketing will be rigorously administered. As use
of the scheme widens, companies signing up will be listed on the
STA website. Similarly, any companies found to be abusing the
scheme will have their membership cancelled and a note of that
action posted for public scrutiny on the STA website.
Woven in Scotland
This is for use only on fabric and fabric products woven in
Scotland by STA members .
Made in
Scotland
This is for application to products Made in Scotland by STA
members. Buyers may find it on articles of dress or household items
where the fabric may not have been woven in Scotland (i.e. Dupion
silk or kilt jacket fabric) but the item itself has been made in
Scotland.
It can also be applied to products other than those made of fabric
i.e. sporrans, sgean dhus, kilt hose and the whole range of
Highland dress and other items made in Scotland.
Approved
This is for the use of STA members on products approved by
the STA that could have been, but need not necessarily have 
been made in Scotland. This would cover such
items as tartan ribbon, tartan carpets, clan tartan maps and any
products that the STA considers beneficial to the Highland dress
world or the wider heritage market.
For some products, swing tickets may not be appropriate so look
for the printed equivalent as shown here on the new Collins
Tartans of Scotland Map, prepared with and
approved by the Scottish Tartans Authority. (It's being launched on
August 2nd 2012 and will be in our
online shop around then - it's a beaut!)
If demand is sufficient, woven labels will also be made
available.
This scheme is your assurance of the origin of the
products you are buying. If you come across products without STA
ticketing, you should query the country of origin. If satisfied
that it is Scotland, then you will be helping your retailer/vendor,
his suppliers and the buying public by suggesting that he insists
on proof of origin for future consignments.