On 26th November 2024, a historic moment unfolded at the World Crafts Forum in Srinagar with the launch of the Seal of Crafts Authenticity. This landmark initiative was inaugurated by Honorable Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, UT of J & K, Government of India
and Mr. Saad Al Qaddumi, President of the World Crafts Council AISBL, in the presence of Dr. Kevin Murray, Vice President of WCC AISBL, and Shri Atal Dulloo IAS, Chief Secretary, UT of J & K, Government of India.

The Seal of Crafts Authenticity aims to establish a globally recognized certification for handmade and handcrafted products, ensuring authenticity in the global craft market. It is designed to address the growing concerns of consumers, retailers, and artisans alike, who have long struggled with the lack of a reliable system to distinguish between genuine handcrafted goods and mass-produced imitations.

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A Global Movement to Safeguard Authenticity

 

In a world where counterfeit crafts are rampant, the Seal of Crafts Authenticity will provide a trustworthy mark, similar to the Hallmark for Gold or the Wool mark for Wool. With global retail sales of handicrafts surpassing $400 billion, a large portion of this market is plagued by counterfeit and mass-produced goods. For example, Pashmina, one of the most exploited products in the craft world, is often sold as handmade, even though 70% of Pashmina shawls in the market are machine-made or blended with synthetic fibers.

The Seal of Crafts Authenticity addresses this issue by creating a global certification system that guarantees the genuineness of handcrafted products, safeguarding the livelihoods of artisans and restoring consumer confidence. This system will be especially beneficial for products like Mexican Talavera pottery, Japanese Kimonos, and Indian Textiles, where counterfeiting has undermined their value and authenticity.

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The Vision Behind the Seal

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The launch of the Seal marks a pivotal step in the quest to protect the legacy of craftsmanship worldwide. Mr. Saad Al Qaddumi, President of WCC AISBL, emphasized that the Seal will create a secure network for authentic crafts, benefiting both artisans and global buyers. By addressing the current trust deficit in the craft industry, the Seal provides a solution that ensures that consumers and global brands can confidently source and invest in genuine handicrafts.
 

He explained, “For far too long, global buyers and retailers have faced challenges in verifying the authenticity of handcrafted products. The Seal of Crafts Authenticity is designed to unify diverse craft traditions under a single benchmark, assuring quality and authenticity.”

 

 

 

Empowering Artisans and Preserving Cultural Heritage

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The introduction of this certification system also aligns with the mission to empower millions of artisans worldwide. Many artisans, particularly those from developing countries, have faced exploitation due to the lack of systems to protect their intellectual property and craftsmanship. The Seal will ensure that their products receive the recognition and value they deserve in the global marketplace.

One example is Pashmina from Kashmir, which has long been a victim of exploitation. While the original product is handcrafted using time-honored techniques, a significant portion of what is sold under the Pashmina label today is a counterfeit or machine-made imitation. This not only misleads consumers but also diminishes the artisans' ability to earn fair wages. The Seal of Crafts Authenticity aims to rectify this by using Geographical Indications (GI) and blockchain technology to track and authenticate products, ensuring that buyers can be confident that they are purchasing genuine, high-quality handcrafted items.

 

 

 

Strategic Roadmap for Global Success

 

The Seal of Crafts Authenticity can be supported by a global network of institutions, organizations, brands, retailers, consumer forums and trade shows. Through these partnerships, the Seal will create a robust system that connects artisans with global buyers, retailers, and consumers. This collaboration will also open doors for digital marketplaces to further extend the reach of certified crafts, making it easier for international buyers to access authentic products directly from artisans.

With a global certification system in place, the Seal of Crafts Authenticity will act as a transformative force in the craft sector, offering a secure, reliable, and unified network for consumers, brands, and artisans. By preserving cultural heritage and empowering artisans economically, the Seal aims to create a sustainable, transparent, and prosperous future for the global handicraft industry.

 

 

 

Looking Ahead

 

As the Seal of Crafts Authenticity continues to gain momentum, the World Crafts Council AISBL will work to integrate it into global trade and retail ecosystems. By doing so, the Seal will not only protect the integrity of handcrafted products but will also create a lasting legacy that ensures artisans’ craftsmanship is respected, valued, and preserved for generations to come.

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The launch of the Seal at the World Crafts Forum in Srinagar marks just the beginning of a larger movement that will reshape the global craft sector, fostering a more authentic, transparent, and fair craft industry worldwide.

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