OETI customer Ötscher: First Austrian manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear with OEKO-TEX® STeP certification

Ötscher Managing Director Mr. Thiemo Götzl, on the OEKO-TEX® STeP certification

"This certification is a significant milestone for our company and underscores our ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices. In Austria, we are the first in our industry to receive the OEKO-TEX® STeP certification.

What is your philosophy/strategy for producing sustainable and high-quality products?

• Our mission is to develop premium workwear for various industries that combines safety, comfort, customization, quality, and functionality, providing targeted support to the wearer in their everyday work.
  
  True to our trademark, the 'Ötscher Stern' (Ötscher Star), we provide customers with guidance and embody the values of highest quality, foresight, sustainability, and reliability in all our actions.

• Our vision is to be a leading producer of workwear in the field of corporate apparel, creating a pioneering connection between premium design and European craftsmanship. We aspire to strengthen the image and identity of companies through tailored, high-quality clothing while promoting jobs and expertise in the European production landscape. With a clear commitment to sustainability and quality, we aim to contribute to companies across Europe presenting their professionalism in an impressive manner.

• We take responsibility
  We focus on production in Europe. Our rental-laundry-compatible clothing particularly stands out in terms of sustainability. We implement measures and continuously evolve.

OEKO-TEX®

What are your reasons for getting certified according to OEKO-TEX®?

For many years, Ötscher has been ISO 9001 and 14001 certified and is also a proud member of amfori BSCI. In addition, our products have long been certified according to the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100. Our next strategic initiative was to integrate and consolidate these certifications under a common framework, within the internationally recognized OEKO-TEX® certification system.

OEKO-TEX® STeP: Your Added Value!

What are the advantages of the OEKO-TEX® STeP certification for you?

OEKO-TEX® STeP serves as a guiding light in the complex jungle of certifications by providing a comprehensive summary while also acknowledging the recognition of other international standards and certificates, such as ISO.

Communication & Customer Trust

• Communication

The transparency achieved through the implementation of OEKO-TEX® STeP allows us to communicate compliance with sustainability standards and ethical practices transparently to customers and stakeholders.

• Comprehensive Overview

OEKO-TEX® STeP provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the supply chain, including environmental impacts and social responsibility, giving companies a clear picture of their entire production chain.

• Legal Compliance - Especially for Our German Customers

The implementation of OEKO-TEX® STeP enables us to better fulfil the requirements of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act through comprehensive transparency and risk mitigation throughout the supply chain. This strengthens legal certainty and compliance with regulations.

What were the challenges in getting your facility certified according to OEKO-TEX® STeP?

For decades, Ötscher has practiced a sustainable business philosophy that is reflected in socially and environmentally friendly production and trade. With manufacturing facilities in Europe, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, and our membership in amfori BSCI, it was time to consolidate these achievements while addressing the associated challenges.

How do you evaluate OEKO-TEX® STeP compared to other industry-standard assessment tools?

The OEKO-TEX® system is up-to-date and is the only system already compatible with Grüner Knopf 2.0, allowing us to be prepared for future requirements. We are committed to bringing the most sustainable products to the market through this system.

OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN

Why did you decide to use the OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label?

We are pleased to launch our first products under the OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label. This provides our customers with complete transparency in the supply chain. For our company, this represents another opportunity to optimize processes, monitor the supply chain, and support our partners in their business processes.

OETI - Your competent partner for testing and certifications

What do you see as the advantages of working with OETI?

OETI has been a valuable partner for us for many years, both in the field of OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and in type testing for PPE clothing. The collaboration with the respective contacts has always worked excellently, and the contacts are very knowledgeable.