OEKO-TEX is offering a new tool to gauge progress and a new certification around environmental protection as the textile industry works toward a goal of cutting carbon emissions 30% by 2030, OEKO-TEX is offering a new tool to gauge progress and a new certification around environmental protection.
The Impact Calculator measures the carbon and water footprint of each process step in the textile supply chain, the overall process and one kilogram of material/product.
“Transparency is the decisive factor to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption in supply chains“ said Oeko-Tex secretary general Georg Dieners. “Embedding criteria for CO2 emissions and water consumption is a logical step toward even more transparency.”
The carbon and water footprint calculations are now integrated into the Step by Okeo-Tex facility certification, which is a pre-requisite for earning the Made in Green by Oeko-Tex product label.
Going forward, the certification enables individual facilities to:
- Identify the largest carbon and water impacts by materials used or produced, as well as by production processes.
- Take action to improve operations and meet reduction targets.
- Share carbon and water footprint data with customers, investors, business partners and other stakeholders
Implementation of footprint calculation data for consumer communication is planned for a future step toward transparency.
The number of Made in Green label holders jumped 55% in 2021, with label holders for bedding up 80% over 2020. Home textiles continue to occupy the top spot as the strongest category, but apparel is moving forward. Workwear and protective clothing recorded the biggest growth, up 156%.
In mid-2022, the association will introduce a new certification for brands and retailers committed to international agreements for human rights and environmental protection. The Responsible Business by Oeko-Tex designation was developed in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the relevant OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct.
A webinar on new Oeko-Tex regulations will be available to all interested parties on January 18 via the website at http://www.oeko-tex.com/.
Source: Home Textiles Today
