ISKO, which bills itself as one of world's leading denim producers, has become the first Turkish denim mill to be awarded OEKO-TEX's STeP certification.

STeP (Sustainable Textile and Leather Production) is a modular certification system which aims to implement environmentally friendly production processes, improve health and safety and promote socially responsible working conditions.

ISKO, which previously became the first company in the world to be awarded both the EU Ecolabel and the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, described the new award as another important milestone.

“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 hopes the certification will prove to be a "powerful tool" through which to implement the company’s 'Responsible Innovation' strategy to tackle environmental and social issues to reach its goal of 100 per cent sustainable and ethical denim production.

STeP highlights where further improvements can be made, aimed 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 and safety in the workplace.

ISKO has a production capacity of 300 million metres of fabric per year with 2,000 high-tech automated looms. It has offices in 35 countries, and is part of Sanko Textile, the textiles division of the Sanko Group.

Courtesy: Eco Textile News