OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Certification

What is OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS?

OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS is a practical assessment tool and third-party certification that helps companies implement, verify and communicate social and environmental due diligence obligations - throughout their supply chains.

Based on seven relevant elements, RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS enables holistic evaluation of a company's due diligence management system.

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS customers can also map the implementation of their climate strategy toward achieving the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target.

ECOTEXTILE News Podcast

How can RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS support you?

Assess - Target - Act - Communicate

Existing and pending laws are holding companies responsible for protection of people and planet through their entire supply network.

Compliance requires:

Actual knowledge of your company's practices, and those of your suppliers
Targeted and transparent plans to measure, remediate and act to protect human rights and the environment
Identification and assessment of potential risks
Plans to prevent, mitigate or remediate potential negative impacts from operations within your company and supply chain
Validated commitment to act responsibly, comply and communicate to all stakeholders

OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS supports this process. The framework enables structured risk identification and analysis within your own company and your supply chains. It helps you systematically avoid or reduce negative impacts and communicate your commitment.

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS - 2 Options

OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS includes modular components: Self-Assessment and Certification

Self-assessment
Certification

Self-assessment

Standalone Tool or Path to Certification

The self-assessment:

Provides a snapshot of responsible business management within the company itself and its suppliers
Helps the company evaluate the implemented due diligence measures
Enables identification of risks and areas for improvement - along their supply chains

During the self-assessment, companies complete an online questionnaire and submit all supporting documents as evidence.

If the self-assessment is used as a stand-alone solution (instead of obtaining the full certification):

We provide an unverified report with valuable insights that can be used for internal improvements
The results can NOT be communicated to any third parties

Certification

Third-Party Certification of Due Diligence Obligations

If a company wants to communicate the results from their self-assessment, we evaluate the submitted data and validate with an on-site audit at the company's facility.

Upon successful completion of the audit, we will issue a verified report and RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS certificate to the company.

On the certificate, the results of the self-assessment will be shown in a transparent three-level scoring for each of the six required due diligence elements:

Level 1:
Due diligence implementation within all direct suppliers
Level 2:
Level 1 + due diligence implementation through material production
Level 3:
Level 2 + due diligence implementation through raw material production

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS – apply now

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS - Details

Benefits

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Benefits

Transparent communication with stakeholders within supply chains (B2B) and governments (B2G)
Flexible use of the RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS tool, either:
- As an internal assessment for insights and improvement of due diligence
  Systematic and guided approach to analyze, implement and continously improve due diligence measures along your supply chains
- As an independent certification to address external stakeholders and reporting requirements - Credible communication/documentation of due diligence efforts through a third-party certificate
Identification and mapping of potential human rights and environmental risks within supply chains
Solid foundation for compliance with existing or future legal requirements

Who can apply?

Brands, Retailers, Traders, Wholesalers, Distributors, Converters, Manufacturers, Suppliers

in the textile and leather industries

OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS assesses and certifies companies who make/sell finished textile and leather goods, and their suppliers, including material producers and processors, raw material extractors and processors, commission businesses and converters.

To meet due diligence obligations, these companies need to identifiy potential risks along their supply chains and implement measures to protect human rights and the environment.

$Green icons for retailers, brands, brand groups, traders, finished product assemblers, material producers, raw material producers, raw material extractors$

This due diligence tool and certification can be used by brands, retailers and their suppliers.

Criteria / Requirements

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Standard

A company can earn RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS certification by meeting OEKO-TEX® requirements specified for six due diligence elements:

Business policy
Embedding responsible business practices into the company’s policy and management systems
Risk analysis
Mapping supply chains, identifying and prioritizing risks in the company's supply chains
Plan of action & measures
Integration of specified actions and measures to:
- Avoid potential risks
- Remedy adverse impacts
Monitoring
Continuous monitoring of the defined measures and ongoing adjustment where necessary
Communication
Transparent communication to all stakeholders on the due diligence process, including:
- The risk analysis
- Complaint process
- Actions taken to address potential and actual adverse impacts
Access to remedy
Implementation of a grievance mechanism

OPTIONAL:
Climate
If a company has already taken adequate measures to support the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement (e.g. by implementing a climate strategy or by specifying environmental goals), this will also be considered in the RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS certificate

With an emphasis on progress, certification renewal requires increased performance in at least one of these areas.

Laws and Guidelines

Which guidelines and specifications does RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS take into account?

In developing the OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS standard, the following documents and guidelines have been considered:

UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)
OECD Guideline for Multinational Enterprises
OECD Due Diligence Guidance Textile and Footwear
OECD Guideline for Responsible Business Conduct
German Supply Chain Act
European Proposal – Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Validity, Audit Cycle

What is the application, audit and renewal cycle?

The OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS certificate is valid for 3 years and can be extended by any number of times via application.

Compliance audits must be performed annually.

Certification Process

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Certification Process

Application
Applicant completes the application and declaration of conformity and sends to usa@hohenstein.com.
Self-assessment
Applicant completes the OEKO-TEX® online assessment, providing any necessary documents as proof
Tip: Mapping all relevant suppliers as extensively as possible will create a sound basis for the risk assessment
Evaluation & audit
- We thoroughly evaluate all data provided by the applicant
- Our auditors verify compliance on-site, at the applicant's premises
- If necessary, our experts provide further assistance in understanding the requirements
Certificate & verified report
- We create a detailed and verified report and issue the certificate
- The certified company is authorized to transparently communicate their level of compliance with the due diligence obligations

Please contact us if you need any help.

Downloads

Standard & Forms
Factsheets, Brochures
Marketing

Standard & Forms

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Standard Documents

OEKO-TEX® Terms of Use

Factsheets, Brochures

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS Factsheets, Brochures

OEKO-TEX®

Marketing

Use and share these RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS marketing materials.

Logo vs. Label

Logo

Not enough information when referencing certified business.

Management Process Label

Includes required verification info for referencing a certified responsible business.

Learn how to use your label

OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS - Due Diligence Certification