PHMA Sialkot hosts seminar on "Smart Manufacturing and EU Green Compliance"

SIALKOT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Feb, 2026) The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA) Sialkot hosted a seminar titled “Smart Manufacturing and Sustainability for EU Green Compliance” at the PHMA Conference Hall, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, exporters, and technology experts to discuss practical strategies for meeting evolving European Union sustainability requirements.

The seminar focused on traceability, circularity, automation, and value-added production as critical pillars for strengthening Pakistan’s textile exports to EU markets.

Chief Coordinator and former Chairman PHMA Sialkot, Khawaja Musharraf Iqbal, inaugurated the event, emphasizing that sustainability is a strategic necessity for Pakistan’s export future. He urged manufacturers to view EU compliance as an opportunity to modernize operations, improve competitiveness, and secure long-term market access. He also thanked the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and partner organizations for organizing the seminar series across Karachi, Faisalabad, and Sialkot.

Country Head of Green Story, Sajeel Sohail, outlined key EU regulatory expectations, including Digital Product Passports, emissions reporting, supplier audits, and traceability documentation.

He recommended a phased approach to compliance, aligning product specifications, supplier verification, and reporting systems.

Announcing a special facilitation package for Sialkot firms, he offered a free basic Digital Product Passport for four products (valued at €20,000) and free Traceability Module access for 20 companies for one year (valued at €20,000). The Traceability Module will be made available to all Sialkot companies within approximately one month.

Dr. Muzammal Hussain of National Textile University (NTU) highlighted circularity as both an environmental imperative and a market opportunity, emphasizing circular design, material reuse, and end-of-life planning. Asad Bajwa of PRGMEA discussed challenges in scaling circular supply chains and proposed supplier mapping, shared recycling facilities, and cluster collaboration.

Ibrar Hussain presented the business case for traceability and automation, recommending QR/RFID tagging, integrated ERP systems, and automation in dyeing and finishing to improve data transparency and resource efficiency.

In closing, Deputy Director TDAP Shehryar Khan reaffirmed TDAP’s commitment to supporting exporters and strengthening Pakistan’s readiness for EU green compliance and higher-value exports.