On the safe side with OEKO-TEX®Certifi ed Workwear and Protective Clothing

Sustainable, transparent &providing guidance for consumers!With the new Made in Green label, OEKO-TEX® now offers companies in the textile industry the opportunity to advertise the services provided along the supply chain relating to social working conditions and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes directly on the product. The basis for the label is certifi cation in accordance with STeP by OEKO-TEX® which, in the area of chemicals management, for example, places specifi c demands on the production facilities to promote “green chemicals”, as well as a successful test for harmful chemicals as per OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 product certifi cation. These certifi cations are managed using the MySteP database.

C. Melchers GmbH & Co. KG in Bremen was one of the first companies in the B2B sector to receive the Made in Green label. Polo shirts produced for Melchers in Bangladesh for a corporate fashion customer were highlighted. Melchers, a leading international textile importer, represents an important link between well-known clients in Germany and Europe and the traditional production countries in Asia. In addition to the quality demands on suppliers, the topics of social compliance and ecology also play an important role. The prerequisite for awarding the Made in Green label was the certifi cation of the two Melchers suppliers, Mondol Knit-Tex Ltd. and Danys Knitwear Ltd, in accordance with STeP by OEKO-TEX®. This was completed in December 2014.

Transparency in the supply chain – the database for manufacturers & brandsMySTeP by OEKO-TEX® is a database for branded companies, manufacturers and retailers that is designed to strengthen the companies involved in your textile supply chain. The database can be accessed worldwide. As the central database for OEKO-TEX®, MySTeP offers registered partners a variety of services such as:

• a customer-specifi c mapping system for the supply chain for branded companies, individual retailers and manufacturers within the textile chain

• the OEKO-TEX® certifi cation management tool for OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and STeP by OEKO-TEX®

• a targeted analysis based on scoring values for production facilities with STeP certifi cation

• Benchmarking and statistical analyses of the supply chain

Data available in MySTePEvery user of the MySTeP database has a customised view of data related to their supply chain. Each supplier determines the amount and type of data available to buyers and whether to allow these buyers to disclose the selected data to companies further up the supply chain. There are different levels of data release: type of business (e.g. spinning mill, weaving mill, fi nishing facility or manufacturer of ready-made clothes), country, OEKO-TEX® certifi cation, expiry date of current OEKO-TEX® certifi cates, scope of current OEKO-TEX® certifi cates, sustainable performance as per STeP by OEKO-TEX® scoring, detailed information on STeP by OEKO-TEX® audit reports, address/contact data.

Database and user rightsSuppliers can decide individually to what extent and degree they intend to make data available about relevant production sites and products to the OEKO-TEX® community. The database users decide which data are released. OEKO-TEX® uses the latest technologies for the protection of data. All information relating to data protection and data release can be found in the terms of use.

Are you interested in MySTeP? Contact us:International OEKO-TEX® Association | Secretariatinfo@oeko-tex.com

The OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide.Comprehensive supplier and product searchAre you looking for a supplier and branded products with OEKO-TEX® certifi cation for your range? The search function of the Buying Guide enables targeted searches for suitable suppliers of products using search criteria. The selection criteria include, for example, the material, processing stage and geographical region. The benefi ts?

• Comprehensive search of suppliers and certifi ed products (b2b and b2c)

• Presentation of your company and your product range

• Integrated self-service portal to keep your company portrait up-to-date

A small selection of companies/brands in the workwear sector who can be found using our Buying Guide is shown below.

A selection of manufacturers with OEKO-TEX® certified products at the A+A

HALL 3 / B70 HALL 7 / C23 HALL 4 / A40 HALL 3 / C16

www.carrington.uk.com www.fttex.com www.ibena.de www.klopman.com

HALL 4 / C49 HALL 9 / C62-2 HALL 11 / B76-3 HALL 7 / C24

www.kroener-und-schlikker.de www.mvvosges.eu www.ccne.mofcom.gov.cn/1128496 www.sapphire.com.pk

Mianyang Jialian Printing and Dyeing Co

27–30 October 2015Düsseldorf | Germany

Visit us in Hall 5.0 | C01

www.oeko-tex.com

Awarding the STeP by OEKO-TEX® certifi cate to the supplier Knit-Tex Ltd., the fi rst textile company in Bangladesh to receive it. Abdul Mojid Mondol, Managing Director Mondol Knit-Tex (left), Jörg Diekmann, Hohenstein Institute (right).

Imprint, contact & informations: Foundation OEKO-TEX® GmbHResponsible: Jutta Knels, ManagementKaiserstraße 39 · D-60329 Frankfurt am MainP. +49 69 400 34 08 -0 | F. +49 69 400 3408-299info@certifi cation-oekotex.com

International OEKO-TEX® AssociationSecretariat | Splügenstrasse 10P.O. Box 2006 | CH-8027 ZürichP. +41 44 206 4282info@oeko-tex.comwww.oeko-tex.com w

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HALL 9 / D61-3 HALL 3 / H86 HALL 10 / H17 HALL 09 / A75 HALL 04 / C16

www.sasytex.com www.bigaglitessuti.it www.ttel.co.uk www.trans-textil.de www.utexbel.com

Textile products that are not harmful to health

Sioen Apparel – First STeP certification for protective clothing!

For companies in the textile industry as well as retailers and consumers, OEKO-TEX® is synonymous with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and its label „Confi dence in Textiles“.

OEKO-TEX® has always offered several complementary and sequential certifi cation systems: For instance, OEKO-TEX® has been auditing production facilities with regard to environmental compatibility and social standards since 1995.

Now OEKO-TEX® has consistently further developed its existing range of services and included new products. One of the main driving forces for this was feedback from the market which infl uenced the further development of the entire system consisting of the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, STeP by OEKO-TEX®, Made in Green by OEKO-TEX® and MySTeP by OEKO-TEX®. As a result, OEKO-TEX® can now offer our customers a comprehensive and practical solution to the ever-increasing requirements of the textile industry.

In addition to the specifi c challenges faced by manufacturers, brands and retailers, there is also increasing pressure from politicians, media and NGOs, who quite rightly press for changes in textile production to make it more socially responsible and environmentally friendly. Consumers themselves are much more conscious of what they are buying. At the same time, supply relationships are very complex nowadays and can span across the whole world. They have to become more transparent to increase the level of confi dence in the textiles industry. With the new products, OEKO-TEX® hopes to offer solution packages that reduce complexity for the textile industry and offer consumers, the media and NGOs the required traceability and transparency.

Georg Dieners,Secretary General of the International OEKO-TEX® Association

More than 10,000 companies around the world have already had their products tested in accordance with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. Since it was introduced in 1992, more than 150,000 certifi cates have been issued. Millions of items with the highest level of human-ecological consideration have been manufactured using materials tested in the preliminary stages of production.

Workwear has many functions in the working worldTo meet the specific protection characteristics of workwear, high technical demands are placed on the materials and textile constructions. The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 test makes a proactive contribution to the safety of the end product.

In general, textiles are divided into four product groups for the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 according to their range of utility. Thus: the more intensive the skin contact, the higher the demands. Workwear is always tested according to the guidelines for product group ll - only for baby clothing (= product group l) the criteria are more stringent!

Workwear is also subject to a particular wearing behaviour: direct skin contact of individual items of clothing with large parts of the body and for a long period of wear (8-10 hours per day).

Only products, including the non-textile elements, which meet the stringent requirements may carry the OEKO-TEX® label. This means that the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 can be applied to many types of individual protective clothing so that, for example, fi re fi ghter, high-visibility, weather protection or coldstore clothing, etc. can be certifi ed and recognised in accordance with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 or the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Supplement for Special Articles.

There are EU-wide approved Notified Bodies for personal protective equipment (PPE). These certifi cation bodies check neutrally and independently, whether the technical documentation and the PPE fulfi l the essential requirements of the EU Directive 89/686/EEC and the relevant standards. Here for a type examination is issued, so that the PPE can be brought on the market by the manufacturer. As accredited testing institutes, they are also experts and perform reliable and effi cient tests on PPE. Many OEKO-TEX® institutes are also listed as Notifi ed Body. Here are the most frequently asked questions relating to the safety of an article.

� As a PPE manufacturer which options do I have for providing evidence of the safety of my multi-function jacket as per directive EN ISO 13688?

As a PPE manufacturer which options do I have for providing evidence of the safety of my multi-function jacket as per directive EN ISO 13688? The simplest and most cost-effective way is for the materials and accessories used in the production of the multi-function jacket to have a valid OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certifi cate. If this is not possible, we are happy to carry out the required tests for you.

� Which tests are necessary for a safety testof this kind?

For textile materials they include the pH and AZO test and for metal accessories there is a test for nickel release. For leather components there would also be the chromium VI test.

� Is it sufficient to provide evidence myself by supplying a test report?

This is possible provided that the test report has been issued by an accredited test institute.

� For which components of my multi-function jacket must safety evidence be provided?

In accordance with EN ISO 13688, materials must not release any substances harmful to health when used under normal conditions. This means that evidence of safety must be provided for the outer material and the fi lling, as well as for the accessory parts (e.g. metal buttons) that come into contact with the skin for a long period.

SIOEN Industries N.V., the Apparel Division of the Sioen Indus-tries group, is the fi rst PPE manufacturing company to be certifi ed according to STeP by OEKO-TEX®. Sioen Apparel produces high quality workwear and protective clothing for professional use, chainsaw protection clothing, lifejackets and fl oatation garments, ballistic and military garments as well as active outerwear. Sioen Apparel employs 160 people in Belgium.

What is STeP? Launched in July 2013, Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) is the OEKO-TEX® certifi cation system for brands, retail companies and manufacturers from the textile chain who want to communicate their achievements regarding sustainable production to the public in a transparent, credible and clear manner.

Certifi cation is possible for production facilities of all processing stages from fi bre production, spinning mills, weaving mills, knitting mills to dyeing and fi nishing facilities, manufacturers of ready-made textile items and logistics. In April 2015 the certifi cation scope has been expanded to include accessories. https://step.oeko-tex.com

SIOEN Industries N.V. supports sustainable production The management of Sioen Industries N.V. unanimously supports the issue of sustainable production. The Centexbel auditor for OEKO-TEX® was able to carry out the assessment, the data validation and the audit to the full extent and with very great satisfaction. The cooperation with the employees was always in the sense of joint success and highly satisfactory. Sioen Industries N.V. complies with the highest requirements of STeP by OEKO-TEX® standard level 3 with regard to its structures, its processes and the management systems.

Sioen’s inspiration: people and environment“We create a stimulating working climate in an optimal working environment and offer career opportunities and a fair remuneration system. Our employees are able to maximize their self-development in a dynamic company where there is space for entrepreneurship and creativity. We operate an active environmental policy and invest in recycling and energy recovery techniques.”Source: http://www.sioenapparel.com/EN/sioen-apparel-13.aspx

Congratulations!The audit revealed that Sioen Industries N.V. by far exceeds the minimum requirements in all six STeP by OEKO-TEX® modules.

The company has implemented extensive measures and systems that are subject to a permanent review. The employees are well informed about, and identify with the developed company culture. Sioen

Apparel´s policy in the fi elds of chemicals, quality management and safety are highly recommendable. The impact of textile production on

the environment and society are covered.

Voluntary third party certification of sustainability efforts and performance has become an important part of creating transparency and traceability.

Information & contact:CENTEXBEL | Belgium | www.centexbel.beDirk WEYDTS | STeP certifi cation | +32 9 243 82 22 | dw@centexbel.be

SIOEN Industries N.V. | Belgium | www.sioen.com Ivan DECEUNINCK | Technical Manager | +32 51 74 08 66ivan.deceuninck@sioen.be

You are interested in a STeP certification ?Please contact us:International OEKO-TEX® Association | SecretariatTel.: +41 44 206 4234 | info@oeko-tex.comOr talk to an OEKO-TEX® Institute of your choice.

PPE – questions & answers relating to the certification processfor the CE conformity certificate

www.aitex.es

www.nissenken.or.jp

www.centexbel.be

www.hohenstein.com

www.oeti.at

www.centrocot.it

Activateur de projets

www.ifth.org

www.shirleytech.com

www.citeve.pt

www.innovatext.hu

www.swerea.se/ivf

www.etakei.gr

www.iw.lodz.pl

www.testex.comwww.teknologisk.dk www.vutch.sk

Who is behind OEKO-TEX®?The International OEKO-TEX® Association is made up of 16 well-known global textile testing and research institutes. All international institutes have many years of experience in the areas of textile safety and sustainability.

Adrian Meili, Manager Industrial & Institute Service of TESTEX AG located in Zurich, provided the answers to our questions.

Any more questions?International OEKO-TEX® Association | SecretariatTel.: +41 44 206 4234

The following institutes of the OEKO-TEX® Association are EU-wide approved conformity assessment bodies (Notified Bodies) - Contact us:

www.aitex.eswww.centexbel.bewww.centrocot.itwww.citeve.ptwww.etakei.grwww.hohenstein.com

www.ifth.orgwww.innovatext.huwww.iw.lodz.plwww.oeti.atwww.testex.comwww.vutch.sk

The Belgian company UTEXBEL, which manufacturers fabrics for workwear, corporate fashion and protective clothing, has also been awarded the STeP certifi cate in recognition of its outstanding environmental and socially-responsible performances in Stage 3. An overview of all STeP certifi ed companies is available in our Buying Guide under www.oeko-tex.com/products (select “STeP” certifi cation).

2010-20112011-2012 2012-2013

2013-2014 2014-2015

Certificates PPE | Development 2010-2015

Textile products that are not harmful to health

Sioen Apparel – First STeP certification for protective clothing!

For companies in the textile industry as well as retailers and consumers, OEKO-TEX® is synonymous with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and its label „Confi dence in Textiles“.

OEKO-TEX® has always offered several complementary and sequential certifi cation systems: For instance, OEKO-TEX® has been auditing production facilities with regard to environmental compatibility and social standards since 1995.

Now OEKO-TEX® has consistently further developed its existing range of services and included new products. One of the main driving forces for this was feedback from the market which infl uenced the further development of the entire system consisting of the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, STeP by OEKO-TEX®, Made in Green by OEKO-TEX® and MySTeP by OEKO-TEX®. As a result, OEKO-TEX® can now offer our customers a comprehensive and practical solution to the ever-increasing requirements of the textile industry.

In addition to the specifi c challenges faced by manufacturers, brands and retailers, there is also increasing pressure from politicians, media and NGOs, who quite rightly press for changes in textile production to make it more socially responsible and environmentally friendly. Consumers themselves are much more conscious of what they are buying. At the same time, supply relationships are very complex nowadays and can span across the whole world. They have to become more transparent to increase the level of confi dence in the textiles industry. With the new products, OEKO-TEX® hopes to offer solution packages that reduce complexity for the textile industry and offer consumers, the media and NGOs the required traceability and transparency.

Georg Dieners,Secretary General of the International OEKO-TEX® Association

More than 10,000 companies around the world have already had their products tested in accordance with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. Since it was introduced in 1992, more than 150,000 certifi cates have been issued. Millions of items with the highest level of human-ecological consideration have been manufactured using materials tested in the preliminary stages of production.

Workwear has many functions in the working worldTo meet the specific protection characteristics of workwear, high technical demands are placed on the materials and textile constructions. The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 test makes a proactive contribution to the safety of the end product.

In general, textiles are divided into four product groups for the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 according to their range of utility. Thus: the more intensive the skin contact, the higher the demands. Workwear is always tested according to the guidelines for product group ll - only for baby clothing (= product group l) the criteria are more stringent!

Workwear is also subject to a particular wearing behaviour: direct skin contact of individual items of clothing with large parts of the body and for a long period of wear (8-10 hours per day).

Only products, including the non-textile elements, which meet the stringent requirements may carry the OEKO-TEX® label. This means that the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 can be applied to many types of individual protective clothing so that, for example, fi re fi ghter, high-visibility, weather protection or coldstore clothing, etc. can be certifi ed and recognised in accordance with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 or the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Supplement for Special Articles.

There are EU-wide approved Notified Bodies for personal protective equipment (PPE). These certifi cation bodies check neutrally and independently, whether the technical documentation and the PPE fulfi l the essential requirements of the EU Directive 89/686/EEC and the relevant standards. Here for a type examination is issued, so that the PPE can be brought on the market by the manufacturer. As accredited testing institutes, they are also experts and perform reliable and effi cient tests on PPE. Many OEKO-TEX® institutes are also listed as Notifi ed Body. Here are the most frequently asked questions relating to the safety of an article.

� As a PPE manufacturer which options do I have for providing evidence of the safety of my multi-function jacket as per directive EN ISO 13688?

As a PPE manufacturer which options do I have for providing evidence of the safety of my multi-function jacket as per directive EN ISO 13688? The simplest and most cost-effective way is for the materials and accessories used in the production of the multi-function jacket to have a valid OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certifi cate. If this is not possible, we are happy to carry out the required tests for you.

� Which tests are necessary for a safety testof this kind?

For textile materials they include the pH and AZO test and for metal accessories there is a test for nickel release. For leather components there would also be the chromium VI test.

� Is it sufficient to provide evidence myself by supplying a test report?

This is possible provided that the test report has been issued by an accredited test institute.

� For which components of my multi-function jacket must safety evidence be provided?

In accordance with EN ISO 13688, materials must not release any substances harmful to health when used under normal conditions. This means that evidence of safety must be provided for the outer material and the fi lling, as well as for the accessory parts (e.g. metal buttons) that come into contact with the skin for a long period.

SIOEN Industries N.V., the Apparel Division of the Sioen Indus-tries group, is the fi rst PPE manufacturing company to be certifi ed according to STeP by OEKO-TEX®. Sioen Apparel produces high quality workwear and protective clothing for professional use, chainsaw protection clothing, lifejackets and fl oatation garments, ballistic and military garments as well as active outerwear. Sioen Apparel employs 160 people in Belgium.

What is STeP? Launched in July 2013, Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) is the OEKO-TEX® certifi cation system for brands, retail companies and manufacturers from the textile chain who want to communicate their achievements regarding sustainable production to the public in a transparent, credible and clear manner.

Certifi cation is possible for production facilities of all processing stages from fi bre production, spinning mills, weaving mills, knitting mills to dyeing and fi nishing facilities, manufacturers of ready-made textile items and logistics. In April 2015 the certifi cation scope has been expanded to include accessories. https://step.oeko-tex.com

SIOEN Industries N.V. supports sustainable production The management of Sioen Industries N.V. unanimously supports the issue of sustainable production. The Centexbel auditor for OEKO-TEX® was able to carry out the assessment, the data validation and the audit to the full extent and with very great satisfaction. The cooperation with the employees was always in the sense of joint success and highly satisfactory. Sioen Industries N.V. complies with the highest requirements of STeP by OEKO-TEX® standard level 3 with regard to its structures, its processes and the management systems.

Sioen’s inspiration: people and environment“We create a stimulating working climate in an optimal working environment and offer career opportunities and a fair remuneration system. Our employees are able to maximize their self-development in a dynamic company where there is space for entrepreneurship and creativity. We operate an active environmental policy and invest in recycling and energy recovery techniques.”Source: http://www.sioenapparel.com/EN/sioen-apparel-13.aspx

Congratulations!The audit revealed that Sioen Industries N.V. by far exceeds the minimum requirements in all six STeP by OEKO-TEX® modules.

The company has implemented extensive measures and systems that are subject to a permanent review. The employees are well informed about, and identify with the developed company culture. Sioen

Apparel´s policy in the fi elds of chemicals, quality management and safety are highly recommendable. The impact of textile production on

the environment and society are covered.

Voluntary third party certification of sustainability efforts and performance has become an important part of creating transparency and traceability.

Information & contact:CENTEXBEL | Belgium | www.centexbel.beDirk WEYDTS | STeP certifi cation | +32 9 243 82 22 | dw@centexbel.be

SIOEN Industries N.V. | Belgium | www.sioen.com Ivan DECEUNINCK | Technical Manager | +32 51 74 08 66ivan.deceuninck@sioen.be

You are interested in a STeP certification ?Please contact us:International OEKO-TEX® Association | SecretariatTel.: +41 44 206 4234 | info@oeko-tex.comOr talk to an OEKO-TEX® Institute of your choice.

PPE – questions & answers relating to the certification processfor the CE conformity certificate

www.aitex.es

www.nissenken.or.jp

www.centexbel.be

www.hohenstein.com

www.oeti.at

www.centrocot.it

Activateur de projets

www.ifth.org

www.shirleytech.com

www.citeve.pt

www.innovatext.hu

www.swerea.se/ivf

www.etakei.gr

www.iw.lodz.pl

www.testex.comwww.teknologisk.dk www.vutch.sk

Who is behind OEKO-TEX®?The International OEKO-TEX® Association is made up of 16 well-known global textile testing and research institutes. All international institutes have many years of experience in the areas of textile safety and sustainability.

Adrian Meili, Manager Industrial & Institute Service of TESTEX AG located in Zurich, provided the answers to our questions.

Any more questions?International OEKO-TEX® Association | SecretariatTel.: +41 44 206 4234

The following institutes of the OEKO-TEX® Association are EU-wide approved conformity assessment bodies (Notified Bodies) - Contact us:

www.aitex.eswww.centexbel.bewww.centrocot.itwww.citeve.ptwww.etakei.grwww.hohenstein.com

www.ifth.orgwww.innovatext.huwww.iw.lodz.plwww.oeti.atwww.testex.comwww.vutch.sk

The Belgian company UTEXBEL, which manufacturers fabrics for workwear, corporate fashion and protective clothing, has also been awarded the STeP certifi cate in recognition of its outstanding environmental and socially-responsible performances in Stage 3. An overview of all STeP certifi ed companies is available in our Buying Guide under www.oeko-tex.com/products (select “STeP” certifi cation).

2010-20112011-2012 2012-2013

2013-2014 2014-2015

Certificates PPE | Development 2010-2015

Textile products that are not harmful to health

Sioen Apparel – First STeP certification for protective clothing!

For companies in the textile industry as well as retailers and consumers, OEKO-TEX® is synonymous with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and its label „Confi dence in Textiles“.

OEKO-TEX® has always offered several complementary and sequential certifi cation systems: For instance, OEKO-TEX® has been auditing production facilities with regard to environmental compatibility and social standards since 1995.

Now OEKO-TEX® has consistently further developed its existing range of services and included new products. One of the main driving forces for this was feedback from the market which infl uenced the further development of the entire system consisting of the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, STeP by OEKO-TEX®, Made in Green by OEKO-TEX® and MySTeP by OEKO-TEX®. As a result, OEKO-TEX® can now offer our customers a comprehensive and practical solution to the ever-increasing requirements of the textile industry.

In addition to the specifi c challenges faced by manufacturers, brands and retailers, there is also increasing pressure from politicians, media and NGOs, who quite rightly press for changes in textile production to make it more socially responsible and environmentally friendly. Consumers themselves are much more conscious of what they are buying. At the same time, supply relationships are very complex nowadays and can span across the whole world. They have to become more transparent to increase the level of confi dence in the textiles industry. With the new products, OEKO-TEX® hopes to offer solution packages that reduce complexity for the textile industry and offer consumers, the media and NGOs the required traceability and transparency.

Georg Dieners,Secretary General of the International OEKO-TEX® Association

More than 10,000 companies around the world have already had their products tested in accordance with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. Since it was introduced in 1992, more than 150,000 certifi cates have been issued. Millions of items with the highest level of human-ecological consideration have been manufactured using materials tested in the preliminary stages of production.

Workwear has many functions in the working worldTo meet the specific protection characteristics of workwear, high technical demands are placed on the materials and textile constructions. The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 test makes a proactive contribution to the safety of the end product.

In general, textiles are divided into four product groups for the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 according to their range of utility. Thus: the more intensive the skin contact, the higher the demands. Workwear is always tested according to the guidelines for product group ll - only for baby clothing (= product group l) the criteria are more stringent!

Workwear is also subject to a particular wearing behaviour: direct skin contact of individual items of clothing with large parts of the body and for a long period of wear (8-10 hours per day).

Only products, including the non-textile elements, which meet the stringent requirements may carry the OEKO-TEX® label. This means that the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 can be applied to many types of individual protective clothing so that, for example, fi re fi ghter, high-visibility, weather protection or coldstore clothing, etc. can be certifi ed and recognised in accordance with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 or the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Supplement for Special Articles.

There are EU-wide approved Notified Bodies for personal protective equipment (PPE). These certifi cation bodies check neutrally and independently, whether the technical documentation and the PPE fulfi l the essential requirements of the EU Directive 89/686/EEC and the relevant standards. Here for a type examination is issued, so that the PPE can be brought on the market by the manufacturer. As accredited testing institutes, they are also experts and perform reliable and effi cient tests on PPE. Many OEKO-TEX® institutes are also listed as Notifi ed Body. Here are the most frequently asked questions relating to the safety of an article.

� As a PPE manufacturer which options do I have for providing evidence of the safety of my multi-function jacket as per directive EN ISO 13688?

As a PPE manufacturer which options do I have for providing evidence of the safety of my multi-function jacket as per directive EN ISO 13688? The simplest and most cost-effective way is for the materials and accessories used in the production of the multi-function jacket to have a valid OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certifi cate. If this is not possible, we are happy to carry out the required tests for you.

� Which tests are necessary for a safety testof this kind?

For textile materials they include the pH and AZO test and for metal accessories there is a test for nickel release. For leather components there would also be the chromium VI test.

� Is it sufficient to provide evidence myself by supplying a test report?

This is possible provided that the test report has been issued by an accredited test institute.

� For which components of my multi-function jacket must safety evidence be provided?

In accordance with EN ISO 13688, materials must not release any substances harmful to health when used under normal conditions. This means that evidence of safety must be provided for the outer material and the fi lling, as well as for the accessory parts (e.g. metal buttons) that come into contact with the skin for a long period.

SIOEN Industries N.V., the Apparel Division of the Sioen Indus-tries group, is the fi rst PPE manufacturing company to be certifi ed according to STeP by OEKO-TEX®. Sioen Apparel produces high quality workwear and protective clothing for professional use, chainsaw protection clothing, lifejackets and fl oatation garments, ballistic and military garments as well as active outerwear. Sioen Apparel employs 160 people in Belgium.

What is STeP? Launched in July 2013, Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) is the OEKO-TEX® certifi cation system for brands, retail companies and manufacturers from the textile chain who want to communicate their achievements regarding sustainable production to the public in a transparent, credible and clear manner.

Certifi cation is possible for production facilities of all processing stages from fi bre production, spinning mills, weaving mills, knitting mills to dyeing and fi nishing facilities, manufacturers of ready-made textile items and logistics. In April 2015 the certifi cation scope has been expanded to include accessories. https://step.oeko-tex.com

SIOEN Industries N.V. supports sustainable production The management of Sioen Industries N.V. unanimously supports the issue of sustainable production. The Centexbel auditor for OEKO-TEX® was able to carry out the assessment, the data validation and the audit to the full extent and with very great satisfaction. The cooperation with the employees was always in the sense of joint success and highly satisfactory. Sioen Industries N.V. complies with the highest requirements of STeP by OEKO-TEX® standard level 3 with regard to its structures, its processes and the management systems.

Sioen’s inspiration: people and environment“We create a stimulating working climate in an optimal working environment and offer career opportunities and a fair remuneration system. Our employees are able to maximize their self-development in a dynamic company where there is space for entrepreneurship and creativity. We operate an active environmental policy and invest in recycling and energy recovery techniques.”Source: http://www.sioenapparel.com/EN/sioen-apparel-13.aspx

Congratulations!The audit revealed that Sioen Industries N.V. by far exceeds the minimum requirements in all six STeP by OEKO-TEX® modules.

The company has implemented extensive measures and systems that are subject to a permanent review. The employees are well informed about, and identify with the developed company culture. Sioen

Apparel´s policy in the fi elds of chemicals, quality management and safety are highly recommendable. The impact of textile production on

the environment and society are covered.

Voluntary third party certification of sustainability efforts and performance has become an important part of creating transparency and traceability.

Information & contact:CENTEXBEL | Belgium | www.centexbel.beDirk WEYDTS | STeP certifi cation | +32 9 243 82 22 | dw@centexbel.be

SIOEN Industries N.V. | Belgium | www.sioen.com Ivan DECEUNINCK | Technical Manager | +32 51 74 08 66ivan.deceuninck@sioen.be

You are interested in a STeP certification ?Please contact us:International OEKO-TEX® Association | SecretariatTel.: +41 44 206 4234 | info@oeko-tex.comOr talk to an OEKO-TEX® Institute of your choice.

PPE – questions & answers relating to the certification processfor the CE conformity certificate

www.aitex.es

www.nissenken.or.jp

www.centexbel.be

www.hohenstein.com

www.oeti.at

www.centrocot.it

Activateur de projets

www.ifth.org

www.shirleytech.com

www.citeve.pt

www.innovatext.hu

www.swerea.se/ivf

www.etakei.gr

www.iw.lodz.pl

www.testex.comwww.teknologisk.dk www.vutch.sk

Who is behind OEKO-TEX®?The International OEKO-TEX® Association is made up of 16 well-known global textile testing and research institutes. All international institutes have many years of experience in the areas of textile safety and sustainability.

Adrian Meili, Manager Industrial & Institute Service of TESTEX AG located in Zurich, provided the answers to our questions.

Any more questions?International OEKO-TEX® Association | SecretariatTel.: +41 44 206 4234

The following institutes of the OEKO-TEX® Association are EU-wide approved conformity assessment bodies (Notified Bodies) - Contact us:

www.aitex.eswww.centexbel.bewww.centrocot.itwww.citeve.ptwww.etakei.grwww.hohenstein.com

www.ifth.orgwww.innovatext.huwww.iw.lodz.plwww.oeti.atwww.testex.comwww.vutch.sk

The Belgian company UTEXBEL, which manufacturers fabrics for workwear, corporate fashion and protective clothing, has also been awarded the STeP certifi cate in recognition of its outstanding environmental and socially-responsible performances in Stage 3. An overview of all STeP certifi ed companies is available in our Buying Guide under www.oeko-tex.com/products (select “STeP” certifi cation).

2010-20112011-2012 2012-2013

2013-2014 2014-2015

Certificates PPE | Development 2010-2015

On the safe side with OEKO-TEX®Certifi ed Workwear and Protective Clothing

Sustainable, transparent &providing guidance for consumers!With the new Made in Green label, OEKO-TEX® now offers companies in the textile industry the opportunity to advertise the services provided along the supply chain relating to social working conditions and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes directly on the product. The basis for the label is certifi cation in accordance with STeP by OEKO-TEX® which, in the area of chemicals management, for example, places specifi c demands on the production facilities to promote “green chemicals”, as well as a successful test for harmful chemicals as per OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 product certifi cation. These certifi cations are managed using the MySteP database.

C. Melchers GmbH & Co. KG in Bremen was one of the first companies in the B2B sector to receive the Made in Green label. Polo shirts produced for Melchers in Bangladesh for a corporate fashion customer were highlighted. Melchers, a leading international textile importer, represents an important link between well-known clients in Germany and Europe and the traditional production countries in Asia. In addition to the quality demands on suppliers, the topics of social compliance and ecology also play an important role. The prerequisite for awarding the Made in Green label was the certifi cation of the two Melchers suppliers, Mondol Knit-Tex Ltd. and Danys Knitwear Ltd, in accordance with STeP by OEKO-TEX®. This was completed in December 2014.

Transparency in the supply chain – the database for manufacturers & brandsMySTeP by OEKO-TEX® is a database for branded companies, manufacturers and retailers that is designed to strengthen the companies involved in your textile supply chain. The database can be accessed worldwide. As the central database for OEKO-TEX®, MySTeP offers registered partners a variety of services such as:

• a customer-specifi c mapping system for the supply chain for branded companies, individual retailers and manufacturers within the textile chain

• the OEKO-TEX® certifi cation management tool for OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and STeP by OEKO-TEX®

• a targeted analysis based on scoring values for production facilities with STeP certifi cation

• Benchmarking and statistical analyses of the supply chain

Data available in MySTePEvery user of the MySTeP database has a customised view of data related to their supply chain. Each supplier determines the amount and type of data available to buyers and whether to allow these buyers to disclose the selected data to companies further up the supply chain. There are different levels of data release: type of business (e.g. spinning mill, weaving mill, fi nishing facility or manufacturer of ready-made clothes), country, OEKO-TEX® certifi cation, expiry date of current OEKO-TEX® certifi cates, scope of current OEKO-TEX® certifi cates, sustainable performance as per STeP by OEKO-TEX® scoring, detailed information on STeP by OEKO-TEX® audit reports, address/contact data.

Database and user rightsSuppliers can decide individually to what extent and degree they intend to make data available about relevant production sites and products to the OEKO-TEX® community. The database users decide which data are released. OEKO-TEX® uses the latest technologies for the protection of data. All information relating to data protection and data release can be found in the terms of use.

Are you interested in MySTeP? Contact us:International OEKO-TEX® Association | Secretariatinfo@oeko-tex.com

The OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide.Comprehensive supplier and product searchAre you looking for a supplier and branded products with OEKO-TEX® certifi cation for your range? The search function of the Buying Guide enables targeted searches for suitable suppliers of products using search criteria. The selection criteria include, for example, the material, processing stage and geographical region. The benefi ts?

• Comprehensive search of suppliers and certifi ed products (b2b and b2c)

• Presentation of your company and your product range

• Integrated self-service portal to keep your company portrait up-to-date

A small selection of companies/brands in the workwear sector who can be found using our Buying Guide is shown below.

A selection of manufacturers with OEKO-TEX® certified products at the A+A

HALL 3 / B70 HALL 7 / C23 HALL 4 / A40 HALL 3 / C16

www.carrington.uk.com www.fttex.com www.ibena.de www.klopman.com

HALL 4 / C49 HALL 9 / C62-2 HALL 11 / B76-3 HALL 7 / C24

www.kroener-und-schlikker.de www.mvvosges.eu www.ccne.mofcom.gov.cn/1128496 www.sapphire.com.pk

Mianyang Jialian Printing and Dyeing Co

27–30 October 2015Düsseldorf | Germany

Visit us in Hall 5.0 | C01

www.oeko-tex.com

Awarding the STeP by OEKO-TEX® certifi cate to the supplier Knit-Tex Ltd., the fi rst textile company in Bangladesh to receive it. Abdul Mojid Mondol, Managing Director Mondol Knit-Tex (left), Jörg Diekmann, Hohenstein Institute (right).

Imprint, contact & informations: Foundation OEKO-TEX® GmbHResponsible: Jutta Knels, ManagementKaiserstraße 39 · D-60329 Frankfurt am MainP. +49 69 400 34 08 -0 | F. +49 69 400 3408-299info@certifi cation-oekotex.com

International OEKO-TEX® AssociationSecretariat | Splügenstrasse 10P.O. Box 2006 | CH-8027 ZürichP. +41 44 206 4282info@oeko-tex.comwww.oeko-tex.com w

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Mackent Fabrics Co. Ltd.

HALL 9 / D61-3 HALL 3 / H86 HALL 10 / H17 HALL 09 / A75 HALL 04 / C16

www.sasytex.com www.bigaglitessuti.it www.ttel.co.uk www.trans-textil.de www.utexbel.com

On the safe side with OEKO-TEX®Certifi ed Workwear and Protective Clothing

Sustainable, transparent &providing guidance for consumers!With the new Made in Green label, OEKO-TEX® now offers companies in the textile industry the opportunity to advertise the services provided along the supply chain relating to social working conditions and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes directly on the product. The basis for the label is certifi cation in accordance with STeP by OEKO-TEX® which, in the area of chemicals management, for example, places specifi c demands on the production facilities to promote “green chemicals”, as well as a successful test for harmful chemicals as per OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 product certifi cation. These certifi cations are managed using the MySteP database.

C. Melchers GmbH & Co. KG in Bremen was one of the first companies in the B2B sector to receive the Made in Green label. Polo shirts produced for Melchers in Bangladesh for a corporate fashion customer were highlighted. Melchers, a leading international textile importer, represents an important link between well-known clients in Germany and Europe and the traditional production countries in Asia. In addition to the quality demands on suppliers, the topics of social compliance and ecology also play an important role. The prerequisite for awarding the Made in Green label was the certifi cation of the two Melchers suppliers, Mondol Knit-Tex Ltd. and Danys Knitwear Ltd, in accordance with STeP by OEKO-TEX®. This was completed in December 2014.

Transparency in the supply chain – the database for manufacturers & brandsMySTeP by OEKO-TEX® is a database for branded companies, manufacturers and retailers that is designed to strengthen the companies involved in your textile supply chain. The database can be accessed worldwide. As the central database for OEKO-TEX®, MySTeP offers registered partners a variety of services such as:

• a customer-specifi c mapping system for the supply chain for branded companies, individual retailers and manufacturers within the textile chain

• the OEKO-TEX® certifi cation management tool for OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and STeP by OEKO-TEX®

• a targeted analysis based on scoring values for production facilities with STeP certifi cation

• Benchmarking and statistical analyses of the supply chain

Data available in MySTePEvery user of the MySTeP database has a customised view of data related to their supply chain. Each supplier determines the amount and type of data available to buyers and whether to allow these buyers to disclose the selected data to companies further up the supply chain. There are different levels of data release: type of business (e.g. spinning mill, weaving mill, fi nishing facility or manufacturer of ready-made clothes), country, OEKO-TEX® certifi cation, expiry date of current OEKO-TEX® certifi cates, scope of current OEKO-TEX® certifi cates, sustainable performance as per STeP by OEKO-TEX® scoring, detailed information on STeP by OEKO-TEX® audit reports, address/contact data.

Database and user rightsSuppliers can decide individually to what extent and degree they intend to make data available about relevant production sites and products to the OEKO-TEX® community. The database users decide which data are released. OEKO-TEX® uses the latest technologies for the protection of data. All information relating to data protection and data release can be found in the terms of use.

Are you interested in MySTeP? Contact us:International OEKO-TEX® Association | Secretariatinfo@oeko-tex.com

The OEKO-TEX® Buying Guide.Comprehensive supplier and product searchAre you looking for a supplier and branded products with OEKO-TEX® certifi cation for your range? The search function of the Buying Guide enables targeted searches for suitable suppliers of products using search criteria. The selection criteria include, for example, the material, processing stage and geographical region. The benefi ts?

• Comprehensive search of suppliers and certifi ed products (b2b and b2c)

• Presentation of your company and your product range

• Integrated self-service portal to keep your company portrait up-to-date

A small selection of companies/brands in the workwear sector who can be found using our Buying Guide is shown below.

A selection of manufacturers with OEKO-TEX® certified products at the A+A

HALL 3 / B70 HALL 7 / C23 HALL 4 / A40 HALL 3 / C16

www.carrington.uk.com www.fttex.com www.ibena.de www.klopman.com

HALL 4 / C49 HALL 9 / C62-2 HALL 11 / B76-3 HALL 7 / C24

www.kroener-und-schlikker.de www.mvvosges.eu www.ccne.mofcom.gov.cn/1128496 www.sapphire.com.pk

Mianyang Jialian Printing and Dyeing Co

27–30 October 2015Düsseldorf | Germany

Visit us in Hall 5.0 | C01

www.oeko-tex.com

Awarding the STeP by OEKO-TEX® certifi cate to the supplier Knit-Tex Ltd., the fi rst textile company in Bangladesh to receive it. Abdul Mojid Mondol, Managing Director Mondol Knit-Tex (left), Jörg Diekmann, Hohenstein Institute (right).

Imprint, contact & informations: Foundation OEKO-TEX® GmbHResponsible: Jutta Knels, ManagementKaiserstraße 39 · D-60329 Frankfurt am MainP. +49 69 400 34 08 -0 | F. +49 69 400 3408-299info@certifi cation-oekotex.com

International OEKO-TEX® AssociationSecretariat | Splügenstrasse 10P.O. Box 2006 | CH-8027 ZürichP. +41 44 206 4282info@oeko-tex.comwww.oeko-tex.com w

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Mackent Fabrics Co. Ltd.

HALL 9 / D61-3 HALL 3 / H86 HALL 10 / H17 HALL 09 / A75 HALL 04 / C16

www.sasytex.com www.bigaglitessuti.it www.ttel.co.uk www.trans-textil.de www.utexbel.com