Considering the impact that chemical products can have on the environment, would you tell us about your concrete steps in driving sustainability in the leather industry?
We commit to the research and development of environmentally friendly materials, while actively seeking alternative chemical substances to reduce environmental pollution and health risks. A the same time we focus on investing in research and development of environmentally friendly production technologies. Through innovative technologies, processes and production methods, we can reduce chemical use and environmental emissions and increase resource efficiency and recycling.
Through supply chain reviews and audits, we ensure that suppliers meet environmental and social responsibility requirements and establish long-term cooperative relationships with them. We also continuously promote environmental standards and certifications such as OEKO-TEX® and ZDHC certification.
Education and training activities also play an important role within the company and in the supply chain to raise awareness and consciousness of environmental impacts among employees and suppliers. Through the strengthening of technical and management capabilities, enterprises and the industry as a whole will be promoted towards the path of sustainable development.
What are the major challenges in getting your chemical products OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified and how did your company overcome the challenges?
ECO PASSPORT requires that raw materials for chemical products comply with a series of environmental protection requirements, such as the prohibition of carcinogenic substances and harmful heavy metals. Ensuring that products meet these requirements requires exhaustive research and testing. The supply chain for chemical products is often complex and may involve multiple suppliers and partners. Tracking the origin of raw materials and ensuring that each link in the supply chain meets certification requirements requires coordination and communication between all parties to ensure product traceability and compliance. If a product does not meet the certification criteria for a particular requirement, itmay be necessary to re-evaluate product formulations, source new raw materials, or adjust manufacturing processes. Obtaining certification requires an investment of time, human and financial resources. Conducting the required tests, audits and document preparation may add additional cost and time pressure.
How does the OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certification scheme help your company in communicating your success in sustainable production with your key stakeholders, and what competitive advantages does it give you?
OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certification, awarded by TESTEX, is one of the world's most important certifications for sustainable textiles and leather and shows that our chemical products have passed rigorous environmental and sustainability tests and that their raw materials meet acceptable standards. This means that the chemical substances used in the production of these products do not have a negative impact on the environment and human health.
Transparency and traceability are very important factors. Certification requires us to provide complete information about our production processes and raw materials. Through the certification process, we have set up a supply chain traceability system to track and record the origin and use of raw materials. In this way, we can provide key stakeholders with clear information about the production process and raw materials of our products to prove that we follow the principles of sustainability in our production process and ensures the quality and traceability of our products.
The certification allows us to meet market and customer demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable chemical products faster and establish a good relationship with a wider customer base and communicate our commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.
Why did you choose OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT over other possible choices in the industry?
The OEKO-TEX® certification system has achieved a globally recognized reputation and is widely acknowledged by consumers, brands and manufacturers around the world, making it the industry’s first choice. This means that chemical products with OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certification provide excellent credentials in the international marketplace and bring widespread brand recognition. It requires regular re-certification which ensures that certified chemical products continue to meet environmental and health requirements throughout their product life cycle.
