Isko awarded with Oeko-tex STeP certification

The certification results in a powerful tool to implement the company’s Responsible Innovation approach. This mindful and holistic vision tackles environmental and social responsibility to reach the goal of a 100 per cent sustainable and ethical denim production, based on three main pillars – creativity, competence and citizenship.

It is within this already responsible setting that this certification highlights where even better choices can be made, aiming at implementing responsible production processes in the long term by assessing six different areas of production conditions. These are chemicals management, environmental performance, environmental management, social responsibility, quality management and health protection and safety at work: together they provide an overall analysis that documents Isko’s responsible commitment in a clear and complete way.

STeP integrates the independent verification system Detox to Zero by Oeko-tex, allowing to determine the status of chemicals management and wastewater quality in compliance with the goals of the Greenpeace Detox Campaign.

“Responsibility and innovations go hand in hand, at Isko,” said senior sustainability and CSR executive Ebru Ozkucuk Guler. “To be awarded with such a prestigious certification is proof that one has to look at the big picture: sustainable actions need to involve and take into account the entire value chain, in the long run, considering not only production steps but also the development of a healthy and safe work environment. It is the perfect ending to a very fulfilling year; we are eager to see what 2020 will bring.”

Isko is the first denim producer in the world to be recognised with the Nordic Swan and EU Ecolabel certifications. The company has a production capacity of 300 million metres of fabric per year with 2,000 high-tech automated looms. Isko has a global presence with offices in 35 countries, and is part of Sanko Tekstil, the textiles division of the Sanko Group. The Sanko Group is one of the largest conglomerates in the world, active in a wide range of sectors from construction and energy, to packaging, financial services, health care and education.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)