Today consumers not only demand high quality products, but now they are careful whether the products they buy are environmentally friendly and has socially responsible aspects or not
In the textile industry where laboratories and test centers have a great importance in the creation of quality and standards, Hohenstein Institute, founded in 1946, at the Bönningheim center approximately 500 employees and with nearly 30 offices around the world, is the most influential independent research and testing institution.
In product development and marketing, in the decision making process of tested and approved, easily be able to trust, forming a comprehensive range of textile testing and certification, Hohenstein Institute's International Sales Director Jörg Diekmannn, spoke to publication group.
Diekmann explains that the certification of the products produced in the textile industry provides long-term benefits for both the manufacturers and buyers, also saying conducting studies in this field for many years, offering innovative solutions to the industry, Hohenstein Institute's mission is more than just a test lab.
Diekmann stated how Hohenstein is an internationally recognized and an independent test institute and how they increase the transparency of the market with product testing, said that they offer a comprehensive range of services with their expertise in textiles in the modern laboatories, operating from yarn and weaving to processing and garment, from re-evaluation of textile products to commercial laundries.
An effective tool in marketing
Diekmann, underlined that giving Hohenstein Quality Label as an institute, is an effective tool for manufacturers and retailers at the point for marketing and determined on the criteria of basis scientific principles and application that they have high reliability. Diekmann said, by these labels, a large number of products has reached a high recognition.
To get the Hohenstein Quality Label, Diekmann emphasized that several criterias need to be fulfilled saying that they have inspectors assigned by the institute especially to inspect the working conditions and compliance with laws related to environmental protection.
Considering the achievements of the service they provide, Diekmann says they work with very reasonable price, that there are now many retailers and purchasers who want these tests while buying the products. Also said, the inspectors don't just audit the products but also provide consulting services on how to improve processes and how to increase the quality of products.
Diekmann said, the inspectors of Hohenstein Institute with impartial, independent and honest business sense, check the quality of processed materials, the finished product size tables in the materials comparative to workmanship, cutting and product features; providing controls buy taking samples from current production or stock.
Diekmann expressed that in this way, quality problems can be immediately identified before or after mass production, they have the opportunity to be remedied immediately and that this condition is the greatest contribution to the manufacturer in terms of cost, "In this context, our work will not only identify only deviation; problems can be removed as quickly as possible and by reaching a consensus with you."
We attach importance to Turkey
Diekmann stated that they attach importance to Turkey; Hohenstein's first property outside Germany being in Istanbul is a sign of this and Turkish textile industry is in great leap in recent years. Diekmann also said that, at this point they give great support to the Turkish textile industry, that previously they used to buy label and certificates only for exported products but now they also place them to domestic market products. Diekmann, "Traceability in textile is very important. These labels and certificates gives an identity to the product. In this way, because the consumers will not prefer products without identity, with time those who didn't certify their products will be deleted from the market. Textile sector should know that; without certificate its very difficult to get share from the market."
Consumers want environmentally friendly products
Diekmann said, nowadays, consumers don't only demand high quality products, now consumers pay attention whether the product they buy is enviromentally friendly and has socially responsible aspects or not. Saying that they developed STeP which is a new certification system by considering this trend.
Diekmann expresses that with STep, which aims sustainable textile production, environmentally friendly production processes and inspecting working conditions whether its applicable or not is intended, also saying the biggest advantage of STeP is that, the textile and apparel manufacturers will be able to work with new suppliers by entering to different markets.
STeP will take OEKO-TEX® Standard 100's place
Diekmann said, STeP certification developed by International OEKO-TEX® Association, brought into compliance with current market requirements will take place of the previous OEKO-TEX ® Standard 100 certification, “It will provide STeP' globally operating brands to find suppliers that will respond to demands in the areas of environmentally friendly production and social responsibility” said.
Diekmann said that they don't focus on a single point of sustainability such as carbon foot print or use of renewable raw materials, stated that assessment methods is open to public access and the system was developed for the textile industry. Saying, in this way on the basis of STeP certification, textile manufacturers could make the production process more effective and efficient.
At the final Diekmann said, from cotton production to yarn factories, from woven factories to knitting factories and even to garment, businesses located in every ring of the textile chain even if not today, in the future will need STeP Certification.
