A STEP CLOSER

STeP by OEKO-TEX® – Sustainable Textile & Leather Production – is an international certification system devoted to environmentally friendly production processes, quality control, improved health, safety, and socially responsible working conditions within the textile and leather industry. STeP’s primary focus is on environmental aspects, but it differs from other certification systems in that its evaluations and reviews also include social and quality parameters from throughout the production chain.
In 2020, one of the factories in Sri Lanka that produces Blåkläder’s garments was awarded the STeP sustainability certification by OEKO-TEX®. Blåkläder’s production in Sri Lanka was the first in the whole country to be awarded the certification.
After careful scrutiny, the factory more than lived up to all of the required criteria for STeP by OEKO-TEX®. STeP is an important parameter for achieving a more sustainable production chain and reducing the environmental impact of the finished garment. Of the social parameters reviewed by OEKO-TEX®, the factory achieved level 3, the highest possible level. We view this certificate as a direct reflection of the active work and development we are putting into the sphere of sustainable production.
What has made this possible is the high level of transparency that runs through the business, as well as good working conditions, fair salaries, benefits, reasonable working hours and regulated overtime. Child labour is of course prevented, and there are also protective mechanisms in place for the younger employees. The factory also works actively to prevent harassment, abuse and discrimination on the basis of one’s skin colour, sex, nationality, religion, age or sexual orientation.
In light of all of this, the factory can proudly perform sustainable production for our customers, employees and the local community.