STeP by OEKO-TEX®
STeP by OEKO-TEX® stands for Sustainable Textile & Leather Production and is a modular certification system for production facilities in the textile and leather industry. The goal of STeP is to implement environmentally friendly production processes in the long term, to improve health and safety and to promote socially responsible working conditions at production sites. The target groups for STeP certification are textile and leather manufacturers as well as brands and retailers.
What does the certification mean?
STeP differs from other certification systems because, instead of considering only individual sustainability aspects, it includes a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the production conditions instead. STeP analyses all important areas of a company using 6 modules:
- Chemicals management
- Environmental performance
- Environmental management
- Social responsibility
- Quality management
- Health protection and safety at work
The aim of STeP certification is the long-term implementation of environmentally friendly production processes, social working conditions and optimum health and safety.
Certification for the entire textile & leather production chain
STeP focusses on the certification of the entire production chain in the area of textile and leather.
Textile manufacturers from all processing levels can be certified, from fibre manufacture to spinning and weaving/knitting to finishing and making up. In the leather industry, all processes such as tanning, retanning, dying, fatliquoring, finishing and making up can be certified. Logistics centres and manufacturers of accessories, foams and mattresses can also apply for STeP certification.
Benefits for brands
- Nowadays, consumers expect textiles that are not only harmless to health and of high quality but also expect purchased articles to be produced in a socially responsible and sustainable way. STeP supports you in managing the growing requirements relating to sustainability.
- STeP gives you the option to find suitable suppliers from around the world who can meet your demands for environmental protection and social responsibility.
- The STeP certificate enables you to document your sustainable commitment in connection with your supply chain to your end consumers in a clear and complete way.
- With the STeP scoring, you receive a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the production processes of the manufacturer and learn which areas of the company still have the potential for improvement.
- The independent verification system DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX® is integrated in STeP. You can thus easily determine the status with regard to fulfilment of the goals of the Greenpeace Detox Campaign. These refer to gradual optimisation and enhanced monitoring of chemicals management and wastewater quality.
- The STeP certificate is the prerequisite for MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®. MADE IN GREEN is an independent product label for textiles from all levels of the textile chain and indicates to the customer that the article has been tested for harmful substances and produced in a sustainable way.
- STeP by OEKO-TEX® recognises different standards and certifications from third-party providers, e.g. BSCI, FWF, SA8000, ISO, 14001, ISO 9001.
