Oeko-Tex Reaches 1,000 Milestone for STeP Standard

Over 1,000 facilities around the world have been certified under the STeP (Sustainable Textile Production) standard of environmental certification specialist Oeko-Tex.

Long Story, Cut Short
  • The facilities are located in 56 countries, including Bangladesh, India and Turkey; over 1,030,000 people work in these facilities.
  • The Oeko-Tex STeP (Sustainable Textile Production) is an independent certification system for brands, retailers and manufacturers from the textiles and leather industries.
All textile companies can be certified under STeP—fibre manufacturers, spinning mills, weaving mills, embroiderers, knitwear companies, finishing companies, manufacturers of ready-made clothes, foam and mattress manufacturers and technology logistics centres.
STeP by STeP All textile companies can be certified under STeP—fibre manufacturers, spinning mills, weaving mills, embroiderers, knitwear companies, finishing companies, manufacturers of ready-made clothes, foam and mattress manufacturers and technology logistics centres. Agto Nugroho / Unsplash

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

 
 
  • Dated posted: 14 April 2023
  • Last modified: 14 April 2023