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On 16 September 2019, the international association OEKO-TEX® awarded Riopele STeP by OEKO-TEX® - Sustainable Textile Production certification, which confirms the permanent implementation of environmental-friendly production processes and safe, healthy and socially acceptable working conditions.
In terms of overall average classification, Riopele was given a maximum score and joins a select group of international textile companies with a level 3 rating (exemplary implementation of good practices). Moreover, it should be pointed out that when compared with all the other companies awarded this certification, the overall average classification is level 2 (good implementation).
In order to obtain this certification in May this year, an in-person audit was conducted by CITEVE, an entity accredited in Portugal by the association OEKO-TEX®, which assessed and audited Riopele in six categories: Chemicals Management, Environmental Performance, Environmental Management, Social Responsibility, Quality Management and Occupational Health and Safety Management, thereby ensuring a comprehensive and accurate analysis of the degree of patent sustainable management in the production process at Riopele.
With regard to the audit report, the international association OEKO-TEX®, entrusted with the STeP certification, issued a series of requirements to be implemented by Riopele, in addition to others in relation to improvements that Riopele is required to analyse and, if well-founded, implement with a view to continuous improvement.
This STeP by OEKO-TEX® certification is valid until September 2022, however, it is subject to a series of follow-up audits to be conducted between 2020 and 2021, which will consist of the continuous updating of the data on the platform, as well as compliance with new regulatory requirements in accordance with the dynamic updating of the STeP standard, pursuant to new market developments, legal requirements and scientific advances.
Identified by the senior management of Riopele as a strategic project to be executed in 2019, the process for obtaining this certification was led by the Riopele sustainability department, together with the areas of quality, environment and safety, from the preparation, drafting and submission of the necessary information and documentation to the implementation of new requirements, in collaboration with the directors, managers and controllers of the processes audited in the different areas.
