Fostering Responsible InnovationTM through the development and implementation of best practices, the company fulfilled the certification’s strict requirements, relying on six different modules to assess important areas of production.
After becoming the first company in the world awarded both the rigorous EU Ecolabel and Nordic Swan Ecolabel, ISKO has recently reached another important milestone in its long-standing responsible journey: it has become the first Turkish denim manufacturer awarded with STeP by OEKO-TEX® modular certification system.
The certification results in a powerful tool to implement the company’s Responsible InnovationTM approach. This mindful and holistic vision tackles environmental and social responsibility to reach the goal of a 100% 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,” explained 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.”