What is OEKO-TEX® STeP?
OEKO-TEX® STeP is an independent certification system for production facilities in the textile and leather industry. It enables a holistic view of your company regarding chemicals management, environmental performance, environmental management, social responsibility, occupational health and safety and quality management.
OEKO-TEX® STeP helps production facilities to act in an eco-friendly, socially responsible and sustainable way.
Impact Calculator
The Impact Calculator is a tool with which you can quantify your carbon and water footprint and optimally document your commitment in this area to the outside world. It is offered within the STeP certification, and access is free of charge for all STeP-certified textile facilities.
What are the advantages of OEKO-TEX® STeP?
- OEKO-TEX® STeP is specially tailored to the needs of the textile and leather industries.
- STeP practically promotes the efficiency of your production processes, helps you continuously improve processes and thus improves the environmental performance and working conditions in your production facility.
- Create a basis for your success in the market: stand out as a manufacturing company with global brands and retail companies demanding environmental protection and social responsibility requirements.
- The STeP certificate allows you to document your sustainable commitment in connection with your supply chain to your end consumers clearly and thoroughly.
- The OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide is the globally accessible online platform for STeP-certified companies to find independently verified suppliers that meet the desired environmental and social responsibility requirements.
- Transparent key performance indicators of the STeP certification system enable you to identify possible risks in your production facilities.
- OEKO-TEX® STeP recognises different standards and certifications from third-party providers, e.g. BSCI, FWF, SA8000, ISO 14001, and ISO 9001. You can save costs by using services and certificates that have already been issued.
- Benefit from our decades of comprehensive expertise: OETI is a founding member of the OEKO-TEX® Association.
What are the advantages of the Impact Calculator?
- You can monitor your carbon and water footprint
- You can check waste water, exhaust air and waste quantity
- You can identify which processes have the greatest impact on the environment
- You can provide optimal documentation of your commitment to customers and the general public
Who is OEKO-TEX® STeP suitable for?
OEKO-TEX® STeP allows you to certify all companies involved in the textile and leather product manufacturing process:
- Spinning mills
- Weaving mills
- Embroidering mills
- Knitting and warp knitting mills
- Finishing plants (pre-treatment, dyeing, printing, finishing, coating, etc.)
- Manufacturers of accessories
- Foam and mattress manufacturers
- Beamhouses (leather)
- Tanneries, incl. dyeing and fatliquoring
- Leather finishing companies
- Textile and leather product manufacturers (making up)
- Textile and leather logistics centres
We have been working very successfully with OETI for two decades. The clearly defined structure of the individual STeP modules has enabled us to scrutinise our procedures, enhance our processes, and identify and improve existing weaknesses.
The collaboration with OETI is very beneficial for us. OETI has supported tests and certification with great competence and problem-solving skills. This support and constructive criticism have contributed significantly to our company’s development.
OETI has been very helpful throughout the whole certification process and has supported us at all levels with the various challenges we faced. We can ask them any questions at any time.
As a sustainably producing company, we want to underpin our philosophy with a recognised certificate. For this reason, we opted for STANDARD 100 in 1989 and for STeP in 2014. We value the substantial validity of OEKO-TEX®. OETI carries out tests and certifications in a highly competent and problem-solving manner.
In addition to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and OEKO-TEX® STeP, we have also introduced OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN. It allows the end consumer to trace where the products are made. We also ensure that our products are produced in an environmentally friendly way and under safe and socially responsible working conditions.