#Textiles & Apparel / Garment
New certification for sustainable textile production
+ Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) by OEKO-TEX® The new certification system with the name 'Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) by OEKOTEX ®' will be presented to the public for the first time at the Prime Source Forum in Hong Kong on 26 March 2013 and will replace the current OEKO-TEX® Standard 1000. The launch for the STeP certification is planned for the presentation of the OEKO-TEX® Sustainability Award in Frankfurt on 12 June. From this date on the OEKO-TEX® Association will be able to carry out the first certifications of production facilities. 'The heart of the new STeP certification', explains OEKO-TEX® Secretary General Dr Jean-Pierre Haug, 'is the modular analysis of all relevant company areas such as quality management, use of chemicals, environmental protection, environmental management, social responsibility and health and safety. As the certification tool is specifically tailored to the situations in the individual processing stages of the textile and clothing industry, it can provide interested companies with targeted support for continuous improvement of their production conditions.' Precondition for certification is the successful auditing of the production facilities through one of the OEKO-TEX® institutes. The assessment in how far STeP certified companies are already working sustainably is made on the basis of a scoring system by means of a web-based process. In order to create widespread acceptance for the new STeP certification from the start, the aim is to include as many interested parties as possible – brand manufacturers, production facilities, retail companies, associations and NGOs – with regard to the weighting of the individual modules for assessment of sustainability. The required criteria for STeP certification are regularly verified and, if necessary, updated by the OEKO-TEX® Association, taking into account international legislation and standards as well as current market developments. Unannounced audits at the certified companies are also part of the certification system. Already existing company certificates such as ISO 9000, ISO 14001, SA 8000 etc. are recognised for STeP certification and will be taken into account for evaluation of the individual modules.
With the new STeP certification the OEKO-TEX® Association supports other existing initiatives for implementing more sustainability such as the 'Higg Index' by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition or the 'Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)' campaign. With requirements specifically adapted to the situation in the textile industry, STeP currently offers the most comprehensive and reliable independent proof of sustainable conditions in textile production.
More detailed information about the STeP certification can be obtained from the OEKO-TEX® Secretariat in Zurich. Contact: Mr David Pircher (OEKO-TEX® product manager), email: step@oekotex.com. www.oeko-tex.com/STeP
Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) is the new certification by the International OEKO-TEX® Association for environmentally friendly and socially responsible companies in the textile chain.
One focal point of the new STeP certification are extensive criteria based on recognised standards for ensuring socially acceptable working conditions as well as clearly defined guidelines regarding workplace safety. Their implementation will contribute to the future prevention of catastrophes in textile production facilities such as the recent factory fire in Bangladesh.
STeP provides globally operating brands and retail companies with the option of searching for specific cooperation partners worldwide who meet their demands regarding environmental protection and social responsibility. At the same time they can provide consumers with understandable and traceable documentation of their sustainable commitment in sourcing their goods.
