A UK-based global color authority has just completed a key leadership transition. The appointment of a president for 2026-27 may seem routine, but within the broader restructuring of the global textile supply chain, this shift signals a deeper trend: the power to set color standards is moving from a traditional Western center toward a multipolar landscape.
Background
In April 2025, the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), an educational charity founded in 1884 and a global professional body for color professionals, announced the election of Liz Straughan as its president for 2026-27. SDC's core functions include setting color measurement and evaluation standards, managing related British Standards Institution (BSI) color standards, and operating the internationally recognized SDC certification system.
Over the past decade, SDC's membership composition has shifted significantly. The proportion of members from Asian textile powerhouses such as China, India, and Bangladesh has risen from under 20% to nearly 45%, according to SDC annual reports. This means Asian textile professionals are now one of the largest user groups of the organization.
Industry Impact
The change in SDC leadership directly affects standard-setting direction. Liz Straughan's background in sustainable dyes and digital color management aligns with two major pain points in the textile industry: the demand for alternative dyes driven by stricter environmental regulations, and the need for color consistency in fast-fashion supply chains.
For Chinese textile dyeing and finishing companies, what does SDC standard evolution mean? Currently, fewer than 15% of China's approximately 3,000 large-scale dyeing enterprises have obtained SDC color management certification. However, EU and North American buyers are increasingly treating SDC certification as an entry requirement. If the new president pushes for stricter sustainable color standards, uncertified companies will face significantly higher export costs.
Another key variable is the rise of Asian indigenous color standards. The China National Textile and Apparel Council has released multiple color management group standards in recent years, and India has established its own dye laboratory certification system. If SDC cannot offer flexibility in mutual recognition of standards and new member benefits, its dominant position in global color governance may gradually erode.
Practical Recommendations
For Buyers - Immediately verify existing suppliers' SDC certification status, especially for EU orders involving color fastness and consistency requirements. - Monitor SDC's potential updates to sustainable dye lists over the next two years, and proactively incorporate compliance clauses into procurement contracts. - Prioritize suppliers holding both SDC and domestic color certifications to reduce single-standard risk.
For Dyeing Mills - Assess gaps between your current color management system and new SDC standards, with focused investment in digital color measurement equipment and eco-friendly dye inventories. - Apply for SDC membership to gain first-hand access to standard updates and training resources, avoiding reactive compliance. - Build internal color databases aligned with both domestic and international standards to enhance competitiveness in multi-standard procurement systems.
Color is never just a visual issue; it is one of the highest technical barriers and most costly compliance burdens in the textile supply chain. This SDC leadership change may only be the beginning. Over the next five years, whoever gains a voice in color standard-setting will hold the advantage in textile trade.