Social responsibility is a central part of the OEKO-TEX® STeP certification for production facilities. STeP analyses all important areas of a facility using 6 modules: chemical management, environmental performance and management, social responsibility, quality management and health & safety. Each module is rated according to a separate scoring system during the facility audit. Depending on the facility certification level, audits are performed multiple times within the certification period which is 3 years.
We are pleased to have interviewed one of the largest yarn, fabric, towel and denim manufacturers in Türkiye, SANKO HOLDING to discuss the implementation of different worker well-being aspects at their facilities. Sanko scored 98% in the social responsibility module of STeP.
Learn about Sanko’s experience and journey towards more social responsibility.
OEKO-TEX®:
What advice would you give to other facilities striving to improve their social responsibility efforts within the OEKO-TEX® STeP framework?
SANKO HOLDING:
The key to improving social responsibility is establishing a people-centered company culture. Organizations should actively listen to employees and communities. OEKO-TEX® STeP helps assess gaps, improve practices and align operations with sustainability goals. Transparency, continuous improvement and ethical employment policies play a critical role in a company’s long-term success.
How has the OEKO-TEX® certification helped you streamline and improve the working conditions for your employees?
The STeP certification has helped us identify improvement areas, enhance workplace policies, and ensure our employee well-being and work-life balance.
OEKO-TEX® does not view social responsibility in isolation but integrates it with environmental performance, chemical management and quality assurance. This integrated perspective has helped us develop a more resilient and responsible business model.
From your experience, how does the OEKO-TEX® STeP certification enhance your credibility with clients and what impact has it had on your business operations?
OEKO-TEX® STeP certification significantly boosted our credibility and long-term partnerships. It serves as a concrete proof of our commitment to responsible production, transparency and continuous improvement across environmental, social and economic dimensions.
The certification process has encouraged us to standardise and optimise many internal processes, eg. the monitoring system and to introduce stronger compliance mechanisms.
The structured framework of STeP supports data-driven decision-making, enabling us to set clear goals and track our progress systematically.
For other facilities looking to achieve a similar high score in social responsibility, which measures had the most significant impact for you?
Our approach to social responsibility is deeply rooted in a people-centered working system that prioritizes fairness, safety and well-being for all our employees. The measures that had most impact for us were the active consideration of employee feedback through structured requests as well as the active engagement in social responsibility efforts that extend to the broader community outside of our company.
We supported the earthquake affected populations in 2023 through immediate aid and long-term recovery projects such as rebuilding schools and infrastructure. We also cooperate with universities, schools and civil society organisations.
What also had a significant impact for us is our evaluation of our direct suppliers and their compliance with ethical and environmental policies, as well as in increasing female workforce participation through mentorship and career development programs.
What measures do you plan to implement in the future to keep the highest standard?
Looking ahead, we plan to expand our social responsibility initiatives by including mental health support and ongoing training opportunities in our employee well-being programs.
We are committed to aligning our long-term social projects with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we want to perform regular internal audits and maintain open stakeholder engagement.
About Sanko
About SANKO HOLDING
Founded in 1904, SANKO HOLDING is a leading group with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. Its flagship divisions include:
