The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS), successfully organized the BPS Technical Committee Meeting at TELA Gallery, DOST-PTRI Building, and virtually via Zoom on June 19, 2024. 

The primary goal of the meeting was to revive the BPS/TC18, a Technical Committee dedicated to assisting stakeholders in achieving global competitiveness and promoting a culture of quality and safety through standards development, compliance, and certification. The revitalization of this committee is seen as a crucial move to ensure the Philippine textile industry meets international standards and fosters innovation. 

To achieve a comprehensive approach, the meeting identified key organizations to complete the seven-sector requirement. These sectors include Trade-Industry, Government, Research, Testing, Academe, Consumer Group, and Professional Association. DOST-PTRI is strategically positioned within the Research and Testing sectors, underscoring its vital role in advancing textile standards and innovation. 

During the meeting, DOST-PTRI also outlined the subcommittees to be established under BPS/TC18, aiming to address specific aspects of textile standards and enhance collaborative efforts across the industry. In addition to DOST-PTRI and DTI-BPS, representatives from various organizations participated, including: 

• Namarabar Indigo Natural Dye Producers Cooperative (NINDPC)
• Katutubong Kulay
• DTI-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB)
• DTI-Design Center of the Philippines (DTI-DCP)
• Medtecs International Corp. Ltd.
• Asia Textile Mills, Inc.
• Philippine Fashion Coalition (PFC)
• Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISATU)
• Technological University of the Philippines (TUP)
• DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD)

Furthermore, a tentative date for a face-to-face organizational meeting was scheduled in August 2024. This meeting is contingent on the submission and completion of technical committee memberships, which will further solidify the collaborative framework established during today's session.