Oeko-Tex has achieved a milestone with more than 1,000 facilities globally now been certified as complying with its STeP standard, the environmental certification specialist has claimed.
- The facilities are located in 56 countries, including Bangladesh, India and Turkey. Each facility is committed to measuring its environmental performance regarding air, water and sludge.
- Moreover, STeP certified facilities can freely use the Impact Calculator to measure their carbon footprint and water usage.
- Over 1,030,000 people work in these facilities: Under safe and socially responsible working conditions according to the UN human rights conventions; Receiving fair wages; and, with security measures such as risk analysis, workplace and building safety, training and safe chemical handling and storage.
The Standard: The Oeko-Tex STeP (Sustainable Textile Production) is an independent certification system for brands, retailers and manufacturers from the textiles and leather industries.
- Certification is suitable for production facilities at all processing stages who want to communicate their environmental measures externally in a credible and transparent way.
- All textile companies can be certified—fibre manufacturers, spinning mills, weaving mills, embroiderers, knitwear companies, finishing companies, manufacturers of ready-made clothes, foam and mattress manufacturers and technology logistics centres.
- In the leather industry, all processes can be certified, from the beamhouse to the tannery to the manufacturer of ready-made clothes.
The Example: Loyal Textile Mills is a STeP certified manufacturer of yarn, fabric and garments. With 37% market share, it’s one of the largest exporters of knit fabric from India.
- Over 7,500 employees produce over 33,000 tonnes of yarn per year and 35,000 knit or woven garments per day.
Their wastewater is treated using bio-towers, bio-ponds and electro-catalytic oxidation to remove colors. For example, 70% of their energy comes from renewable wind and solar energy sources and they aim to reach 90%. - A specifically trained team works to build confidence and empower their 55% female workforce. Employees have access to support and training in life skills such as home economics, communication, computer literacy programs and self-defence.
What They Said:
Continuous training programs are given to selected teams and particular values are recorded and working towards Greenhouse gas emission reductions. Many different birds reside in the mill premises seasonally; due to the large open tanks created for storing rainwater and the presence of several fruit-bearing trees cultivated especially for the birds to feed upon. It improves pollination and contributes to the natural ecosystem.
— Manohar
General Manager – Technical Textiles
Loyal Textile Mills
For sustainable production, STeP certification is an imperative standard. With its comprehensive and holistic approach, worldwide recognition and independent verification, it provides a credible and trustworthy system. Recognised by ZDHC and an integral part of the Oeko-Tex Made in Green supply chain, the 6-module certification ensures ethical practices and eliminates greenwashing throughout the supply chain.
— Adrian Meili
Group Product Manager and Lead Auditor
Textex AG
