OEKO-TEX® STeP Certification
OEKO-TEX
Promotes sustainable, ethical practices in textile manufacturing.
Key Strengths
- Covers entire production facility — not just a single product or material
- Six-module framework addressing chemicals, environment, social responsibility, quality, and safety
- Independent third-party audits by accredited OEKO-TEX® auditors ensure credibility
- Transparent scoring system highlights strengths and improvement areas
- Globally recognized by major fashion and textile brands
- Applicable to both textile and leather production facilities
Ideal For
Best suited for textile and leather manufacturers, production facilities, and supply chain partners seeking to demonstrate credible, third-party verified sustainability across their entire operations. Particularly valuable for brands and suppliers targeting European retail markets or responding to customer due diligence requirements around environmental and social responsibility.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Recognized By
- OEKO-TEX® STeP
Scope
Overview
The OEKO-TEX® STeP (Sustainable Textile & Leather Production) certification is a comprehensive system designed to promote environmentally friendly and socially responsible manufacturing processes in the textile and leather industries. Unlike product-specific certifications, STeP focuses on the entire production process, evaluating sustainability and ethical practices at each stage of manufacturing. STeP certification covers a wide range of criteria, including chemical management, environmental performance, social responsibility, quality management, and workplace safety. To achieve STeP certification, companies must undergo a detailed assessment that evaluates their production facilities against these rigorous standards. The assessment is conducted by independent OEKO-TEX® auditors who review all aspects of the production process, ensuring that companies are not only compliant with legal regulations but are also actively working to improve their sustainability and ethical practices. The STeP certification is structured into six modules, each focusing on a specific aspect of production sustainability: chemicals, environmental performance, environmental management, social responsibility, quality management, and health and safety. Companies receive a transparent rating that highlights their strengths and areas for improvement, enabling them to continuously enhance their sustainability efforts. For consumers, the STeP label signifies that the products they purchase are manufactured in facilities committed to high standards of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. This certification provides assurance that the products are not only safe and high-quality but also produced in a way that minimizes environmental impact and promotes fair labor practices. Overall, OEKO-TEX® STeP plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable and ethical production practices in the global textile and leather industries, benefiting both consumers and the environment.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Applicant facilities must submit comprehensive documentation covering all six STeP modules: chemical management (including chemical inventory, safety data sheets, wastewater and sludge data), environmental performance (energy, water, waste), environmental management systems, social responsibility (labor practices, working conditions, wages), quality management, and health and safety. An on-site audit by an independent OEKO-TEX® accredited auditor is required to verify documentation and inspect production processes, records, and working conditions.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
Assessment is conducted by independent, accredited OEKO-TEX® auditors through an on-site facility inspection. Auditors evaluate documentation and physical conditions across six modules: chemical management, environmental performance, environmental management, social responsibility, quality management, and health and safety. The audit includes document review, process verification, worker interviews, and facility walkthroughs. Facilities receive a scored profile per module, with a minimum threshold required for certification. The audit typically spans 1–3 days depending on facility size.
Renewal & Compliance
STeP certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Renewal requires a follow-up on-site audit by an accredited OEKO-TEX® auditor to verify continued compliance and assess progress against the previous year's improvement targets. Renewal fees apply and are based on facility size and scope.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Salary & Market Value
No published salary impact data specific to STeP, as it is a facility-level certification rather than an individual credential. However, facilities holding STeP certification often gain preferential supplier status with major global brands, which can translate to increased contract value and market access.
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Avoid if your organization is seeking a product-level certification rather than a facility-level one — consider OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 instead. Also less suitable for very small artisan producers who may lack the documentation infrastructure required for a full facility audit.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Certification
English, German
2013
Available