STeP Certification Overview for Sustainable Textile Production

STeP by Oeko-Tex – An Overview.
Sarena Textile Industries (Pvt) Limited
Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) – Certification Introduction .
STeP – An Introduction 28/08/2019

Contents
Sarena Textile Industries (Pvt) LimitedSTeP – An Introduction 28/08/2019
STeP Modules.4
STeP Introduction.
1 What is Sustainability?
2
Scope.3
Certification Process.5
Scoring Procedure.6

Sustainability.
What is Sustainability?

Sustainability.
The 3Ps of sustainability are a well-known and accepted business concept. The Ps
refer to People, Planet, and Profit, also often referred to as the triple bottom
line. Sustainability has the role of protecting and maximizing the benefit of the 3Ps.

STeP Introduction.
STeP by OEKO-TEX® is an independent certification system for brands, retailers
and manufacturers from the textile and leather industry. Certification is suitable
for production facilities at all processing stages who want to communicate their
environmental measures externally in a credible and transparent way.
The overarching goal of the standard is to help production
facilities to measure and improve sustainability,
environmental performance, health and safety performance,
and social responsibility and to report this to the industry
and consumers in a transparent and useful format.
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE

Scope.
• Dry spinning, twisting
• Wet spinning, twisting
• Weaving, knitting, production of non-
woven
• Dyeing, printing, finishing, coating
• Making up of products through cutting,
sewing and related processes)
• Manufacturing of accessories (e.g. zippers,
buttons, labels)
• Manufacturing of foams and mattresses
• Textile logistics for textiles and its
accessory only
• Others (e.g. non-agricultural fibre
production)
STeP by OEKO-TEX® addresses facility
performance across the entire production chain.
TEXTILE SECTOR
All processes involved in:
• Beamhouse
• Tannery
• Manufacturing of ready-made clothes.
LEATHER SECTOR

Introduction to STeP Modules.
Environment
Management
Social
Responsibility
Health & Safety
Management
STeP
Modules
Quality
Management
Environmental
Performance
Chemical
Management

Chemical Management
The focus of Chemical
module is to recognize &
avoid potential negative
impact of chemicals on
environment & human health
during production process &
the article produced.
A chemical management enables the facility to
manage risks from the specific properties of
chemicals and to draw conclusions and
consequences in sourcing, receiving, storing,
handling, using, applying and disposing of
chemicals
4.1 Chemical Management

Main Focus Areas
(4.1.1.1) Policy of the Facilities Regarding Chemicals
 A good policy must be declared from authorities, must address elimination and
reduction of negative impacts and must have a nominated responsible person
(4.1.1.2) Inventory / Register of Chemicals
 Information of all chemicals containing internal ID, Product name, Hazard Classification,
CAS number, Hazard Code, Maximum, Minimum and Actual Amount in stock.
(4.1.1.3) Banned Chemicals, MRSL
 MRSL is a comprehensive list of all substances which are banned for production
processes and all other chemicals used (e.g. maintenance, wastewater treatment etc.)
 Any Chemical used must be cross checked with MRSL Compliance before purchasing.
(4.1.1.4) Communication
 Collection of basic information of the chemicals (SDS according to GHS guidelines)
 Globally there are regulations and reporting requirements, many differing by country or
region. It is the duty of the seller to meet all such requirements.

Main Focus Areas
(4.1.1.5) Rating of Chemicals Hazard Traits
 Taking the guidance from widely accepted reference values, facility must identify
the critical elements to reduce the associated hazards.
(4.1.1.6) Hazard Assessment
 Five steps are involve in Hazard Assessment, ensuring compliance with all
regulatory requirements, verification from MRSL, obtain the chemical identity of
the ingredients or components, adopt limit values for hazardous criteria and
continuous improvement and the use of greener and less toxic alternatives.
(4.1.1.8) Green Chemistry
 Green Chemistry provides a framework for continuously reducing possible negative
impacts associated with the use of chemicals for economy, health and environment.
(4.1.1.7) Risk Assessment
 A risk assessment in the context of a chemical management system accounts for a
specific and identified hazard for a given chemical and the possibility that this
hazard can manifest before, during, or after production.

Chemical Management

Environmental Management
4.3 Environmental Management
The focus of Environmental Management module is to develop a set of
processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its
environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency, a documented
description of the process & activities for achieving environmental objectives.
Based on EMS 14001, This module also discuss
Policies, Objective and Targets, Roles and
Responsibilities, Training and development and
all operational procedure to reduce the
environmental impacts due to product life cycle

(4.3.2) Environmental Policy
 The environmental policy exhibits the organization plus management commitment and
activities towards achieving the objectives in the areas of water, wastewater, air
emissions, materials, solid waste, etc.
Main Focus Areas
(4.3.3) Laws and Regulations
 A formal list and compilation of all legislative, governmental and other permits and
regulations which apply to the facility
(4.3.4) Environmental Objectives
 The objectives should present a quantitative, realistic commitment with a fixed time
period for the constant improvement of environmental performance.
(4.3.5) Environmental management program
 It must contain detailed documented information regarding measures with schedules
and responsibilities, and the results of an initial benchmarking environmental
assessment.
(4.3.6) Environmental management manual
 An approved and communicated document that address how to achieve set objectives
and targets, it also consider irregular operating conditions, accidents and emergency
situations and contain corresponding specific environmental information and instructions.

Main Focus Areas
(4.3.7) Operational Controls
 Facility must develop and implement procedures for auditing and verification of the
performance of equipment and processes. It should also standardize the procedure
for analyzing their root cause.
(4.3.8) Organization and Personnel
 Authorization of a Responsible Person is must
 The EMS should be reviewed at frequent and regular intervals in MRM. A
management system is a living system and should be dynamic.
 Training staff members, including contractors, suppliers, etc., to ensure that
everyone is kept informed.
(4.3.9) Communication
 The introduction of an EMS, the environmental policy, the environment objectives as well as
the resulting progress should be made known to all internal & External stakeholders and
Public as well
(4.3.10) Implementation of an Environmental Management System
 The gap analysis and intended paths towards continual improvement of environmental
performance must be done to implement EMS

Main Focus Areas
(4.3.11) Records and risk assessment
 Facility must record all the factors that has a potential effect on environment, and
analyze its future impacts that might be imposed on environment.
 These factors include water, wastewater & sludge, air, energy, solid waste, Packing and
transport, Products, Delivery and Storage.

Environmental Management

Environmental Performance
Environmental Performance module focus on the measurable outcome
of an organization's ability to meet environmental objectives and
targets set forth in the organization's environmental plan or policy.
4.2 Environmental Performance

4.2.2 Water
 minimization of water usage by monitoring and controlling resources
4.2.6 Energy (resources and consumption)
 Minimization of energy resources using monitoring, control and recovery, as well as
banning of non-renewable resources
4.2.3 Wastewater and sludge
 Minimization of discharge of wastewater and its Sludge containing hazardous
substances by using efficient treatment and recovery, taking into consideration local
and national water/effluent quality requirements
4.2.4 Air Emissions
 control and minimization of air emissions, taking into consideration local and
national emission limits
4.2.5 Carbon Footprint / CO² - emissions
 carbon footprint/CO² emissions – calculation of carbon footprint– are a useful measure
of environmental performance which goes beyond a simple process energy breakdown

4.2.8 Safe Handling and Storage of Chemicals, Auxiliaries, Dyes, Solvents, Cleaning
and Degreasing Agents, Machine Oils, etc.
4.2.7 Production waste/ waste management
 management of all types of waste, including reuse and recycling of waste
wherever possible and the separation of all hazardous waste prior to disposal by
a licensed facility
4.2.9 Packaging and transportation
 Minimization of disposable packaging material and a tendency towards reusable
and recyclable packaging materials, including the use of recycled sources.
4.2.10 Prevention of unintended incidences with environmental Impact
 systems for controlling and preventing incidents with environmental impact such as
spillages into waters and soil, uncontrolled emissions and fire. This includes process
control systems, the existence of hazard plans and the training of employees.
4.2.11 Prohibited Processes
 Process having high environmental impact or high safety risk must be prohibited.

Social Responsibility
4.4 Social Responsibility
The focus of social module is to
ensure social responsibility to
workforce by addressing Workers
issues & working conditions.
Forced or
Compulsory
Labor
CBA &
Grievance
Mechanism
No Harassment &
Abuse
Working Hours-
Wages & Benefits
Child
Labor-Women’s Rights
Disciplinary Practices
Discrimination
Leaves

4.4.3 Social Responsibility Management System
 It includes targets, programs and objectives, personnel and responsibilities, e.g.
management representative, training of staff, detailed measures with schedules and
responsibilities, documentation of operating procedures, performing social assessments,
internal audits and evaluations.
4.4.4 Laws and Regulations
 compliance with all legislative, national and other requirements which apply to the
facility
4.4.5 Stakeholder Relations
 Transparent communication with relevant stakeholders
4.4.6 Child and Juvenile Labor
 Avoiding child labour
 Safe work environment for juvenile labour
4.4.7 Wages and Benefits
 Wages and benefits must comply with local and national laws

4.4.8 Employment Relationship
 Employment contracts must comply with local and national laws
4.4.9 Freedom of association and collective bargaining
4.4.10 Working Hours
 It includes regular and overtime work, time off, off-season work and holidays.
Employees shall have the possibility to participate in religious festivals.
 To avoid exceeding work time at least one day off within 7 work days shall be provided
for all employees. Excluding overtime, a work week shall not exceed 48 hours.
4.4.11 Harassment and Abuse
 Avoiding harassment and abuse also An anonymous complaint system to remediate
harassment and abuse should be in place
4.4.12 Discrimination
 No discrimination. The facility shall comply with all national or regional legal
requirements regarding discrimination.

4.4.13 Forced, Bonded, Indentured and Prison Labor
 The facility should operate with a monitoring system to prevent any risk of
forced, bonded, indentured and prison labor in the recruitment process.
4.4.14 Sanitary facilities, changing rooms, canteen and Dormitories
 Sanitary facilities, especially toilet facilities, lavatories and wash rooms shall be
available to all workers inside the premises and in dormitories, in an adequate
number and at all times.
 Their use shall be free of charge and the facility shall provide staff to keep
them clean and well maintained.

• Quality management is composed of a management system and
its implementation and application. STeP QMS is based on ISO
9001 is recognized as a preferred model. This standard is of vital
importance and is globally recognized as a most successful and
reliable standard of documentation and practice. It also
addresses the general management area and other areas not
mentioned in other modules.
Quality Management
4.5 Quality Management

Quality Management
4.5.2 Management of Quality, Operation and Sustainability Policy and its Objectives
 The business shall establish, operate and maintain at least a QMS. This should be
responsible for the activities of the organization to be in coordination with the
determined management of quality policy and the corresponding objectives.
4.5.3 Management Responsibility
 4.5.3.1 Management Commitment ;The top management is committed to deal with the
responsibilities of a management system.
 4.5.3.2 Focus on Customers ; The management should identify customer requirements and aim
to improve their satisfaction.
 4.5.3.3 Quality Policy ; Management is responsible for a policy that is adequate and exhibits
constant improvement and effectiveness in the business.
 4.5.3.4 Planning for Quality ; Management team should set measurable objectives and suitable
plans for achieving these objectives.
 4.5.3.5 Responsibility and Authority ; The management team should define and communicate
‘who does what’ and identify responsibilities and authorities.
 4.5.3.6 Management Review ; The QMS shall be reviewed at frequent and regular intervals. A
management system is a living system and should be dynamic.

Quality Management
4.5.4 Resource Management
 The management has to decide which resources are generally required for a proper
operation and to enhance customer satisfaction with high quality goods and services.
4.5.5 Requirements for Products or Services
 The management team should plan and develop all the processes required for high
quality products/services. Including Design and Development, Purchasing (Suppliers
and Contractors), Managing Operations, Measuring and Monitoring Equipment.
4.5.6 Measurement, Analysis and Improvement
 Suitable processes should be in place to ensure that services/products meet all
relevant requirements and also include improvements
4.5.7 Non-Conformity and Corrective Action
 A systematic approach for redressing non-conformity and preventing recurrence
is required.
4.5.8 Continuous Improvements
 The system as well as product and service quality should be continually improved

Quality Management
4.5.9 General
 4.5.9.1 Legal Existence ; A collection of all documents which form the basis of the legal
existence and the lawful operation of the facility shall be available
 4.5.9.2 Laws ; The facility shall know all legislative, governmental and other requirements
which apply to all operations of the facility
 4.5.9.3 Sourcing of raw materials ; companies should make sure to source only from
suppliers that can prove they work responsibly and sustainably.
4.5.10 Risk Management
 Risk management means identifying, assessing and prioritizing different types of risks.
And providing necessary controls to minimize this risk.
4.5.11 Corporate Governance
 It is the framework of rules and practices used by a board of directors to ensure
accountability, fairness and transparency in the facility
4.5.13 Ethics and Compliance
 A written set of guidelines should be issued by the top management to its workers as
well as to management. This helps them to conduct their actions in accordance with its
primary values and the ethical standards

Quality Management

Health & Safety
This module refers to the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)
performance of a facility regarding a safe working condition in all
areas of a production facility. It comprises of work place conditions,
noise, dust, chemical risks, lighting conditions, heat stress,
prevention of fire, construction integrity, emergency plans (e.g.
fire) and the safety of workers in case of such incidents.
4.6 Health & Safety

Health & Safety
4.6.2.1 Workplace Conditions ; The facility shall implement controls to prevent hazards
and reduce health and safety risks.
4.6.2.2 Noise ; Workers shall be provided with effective ear protections and instructed
in their use above a noise emission level of 85 dB(A).
4.6.2.3 Dust ; In case of high levels of dust emission, effective dust protection measures
shall be provided and the personnel should be instructed in their use.
4.6.2.4 The process “Sand blasting” shall be restricted ; Sand Blasting (roughen or clean
a surface with a jet of sand driven by compressed air) can cause a high strain of dust in
working area, lead to health problems.
4.6.2.5 Chemical Risks ; In case of chemical risks and chemicals which can cause allergic
Reaction or health hazards, engineered controls such as PPE (i.e. gloves, goggles, aprons
and masks, etc.) shall be provided.
4.6.2.6 Light Conditions ; Planning and surveillance of correct light conditions at all
workplaces should be followed, to avoid insufficient lighting conditions.
4.6.2 Workplace Safety

Health & Safety
4.6.2.7 Heat Stress ; Measures should be defined and implemented in form of adequate
clothing, regulated working hours with defined breaks, ventilation to avoid Heat stroke.
4.6.2.8 Personnel Protection Equipment (PPE) ; To compete with possible hazards
gloves, goggles, aprons, dust masks, ear plugs, respiratory masks, etc. shall be provided
free of charge.
4.6.2.9 Risk of explosion ; Flammable liquids like methanol, isopropyl alcohol etc. that
are stored in metal drums may form potentially explosive mixtures in the air and
therefore shall be earthed whilst in use.
4.6.3.1 Building Structures and Utilities ; All structures within the facility shall be
suitable and safe for the planned use and operation. Utilities such as boilers, steam
vessels, generators and transformers that are due to a license shall only be operated
under the conditions of a valid license/Inspection.
4.6.3.2 Incidents ; All Accidents and incidents shall be documented including type,
extent, cause and measures.
4.6.3 Facility Safety

Health & Safety
4.6.4 Product Safety
 An assessment regarding the safety of products for end users should be considered
and, if possible, proven by certification (e.g. STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, PPE
type examination, EN 14682:2008, EN 71-1, etc.)
4.6.5 Record Keeping/Documentation
 The facility should establish and document procedures for every aspect of H&S,
hazard identification, risk assessment and determination of necessary controls.
4.6.6 Compliance
 The facility should establish a procedure for identifying and accessing the applicable
legal and other operational health and safety requirements and periodically evaluate
the compliance with these requirements.

Health & Safety

Certification Process
5.1 Application
 Any company interested in the STeP by OEKO-TEX®
certification can submit an application via the
internet or one of the institutes.
 The chosen OEKO-TEX® institute will provide
guidance and support for the certification process.
5.2 Assessment Tool
 The web-based assessment tool helps
to determine whether the facility is
suitable for the certification in principle
or which measures and improvements
are necessary beforehand
 The applicant must answer all questions
marked as “basic”. The assessment can
then be completed.
5.3 Review of Assessment/Documentation
 The first step is to evaluate fulfilment of the
technical and organizational requirements using
die assessment data and all uploaded documents
5.4 Audit
 Complete facility audits are conducted
to verify all the documentation and
generate an audit report
5.5 Evaluation of Report & Certificate
Issuance
 If the conditions of this standard have
been met, the applicant will be
provided with a two page certificate.
Valid for 3 years
1
2
3
4
5

Scoring Procedure
The scoring is an average weighted approach where each of
the six modules is weighted equally. Therefore, each module
will provide 1/6 of the percentage, for a total of 100 %.

STeP Certification Overview for Sustainable Textile Production

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