The New Fiber Fabric Workshop textile division of the Shenghong Group has become one of the first companies in China to be awarded STeP by Oeko-Tex certification for its environmentally friendly and socially responsible production conditions.

“In China, the issues of sustainability and environmental protection are becoming increasingly important as more and more people become concerned with the environment and their health,” said Adrian Meili, lead auditor with Testex AG, Zurich.

On 23 June 2014, Meili and his fellow auditors Kit Zhao, Gavin Geng Jun Xin and Richard Li Chao from the Testex representative office in Shanghai presented the STeP certificate to Junsong Tang (Production General Manager) and his team on behalf of the Oeko-Tex Association.

“This demonstrates once again that the issue of sustainability is gaining in importance throughout the globe. Today, we congratulate the Shenghong Group - New Fiber Fabric Workshop for the exemplary implementation of their sustainable company philosophy," continues Meili. "The example they have set shows that prudent and responsible actions pay off in even the most highly competitive markets.”

Pioneering role

Allen Xueqian Zhao, Product Site Manager, who is in charge of the certificate directly, commented: “Of all of the benefits that the certification brings to our company, the most crucial factor is that we are one of the first operations in our country to receive the certificate. This allows us to demonstrate the pioneering role that we are playing in the restructuring and retrofitting of traditional companies in the industry to ensure environmentally friendly and sustainable production.”

“Hopefully, this will help inspire even more companies in the regional and national textile industry to follow our lead and learn more about our company, and encourage more collaborations with other companies at home and abroad. At the same time, however, we hope to provide inspiration for the Chinese industrial sector as a whole and all of its regions, because environmental protection is such an important issue for all of us.”

Assessment

“For the STeP certification, all of the areas of the company that were of relevance with regard to sustainable production processes and social working conditions were first analysed using a web-based assessment tool,” explained lead auditor Adrian Meili.

This included an assessment of the handling of chemicals and possible hazardous materials, environmental performance measured using a wide range of criteria, the implementation of an environmental management system, company responsibility in relation to employees, efficient quality management and safety in the workplace.

During the subsequent audit of the production facilities, the information recorded by Shenghong was verified by Oeko-Tex and made into a detailed audit report. The result of the sustainability assessment is displayed in a clear scoring system on the STeP certificate.

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