“Within the scope of testing, technical support and reporting services for the leather industry, product analyzes are carried out within the scope of international standards, legal regulations and brand requirements.”
Ms. Nilgün, can we get to know Ekoteks?
EKOTEKS LABORATORY AND INSPECTION SERVICES INC. I am the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Since 1998, when Turkey was founded with the investment of Istanbul Ready-to-Wear Apparel and Exporters’ Association (İHKİB), as an independent laboratory with international validity, more than 3000 international companies operating in textile, ready-made clothing, leather, toys, cosmetics, machinery and related sub-sectors and serves the local organization.
- We provide testing and surveillance services with advanced technology applications in our accredited laboratories.
- We provide training and seminar support within the scope of our R&D activities.
- We ensure the development of businesses by evaluating their corporate sustainability capacity.
What are you doing within the scope of sustainability?
In recent years, the global agenda has been centered on “Sustainability”, openings to industries regarding recycling and the correct use of resources, tests, analyzes and information on water use and documentation have been made mandatory. In the axis of the decisions taken at COP27, the theme of “Sustainability” was emphasized. In this context, Ekoteks Lab. It organizes “Sustainability” conferences and international symposiums every year with local and foreign speakers and academics from the industry.
Ekoteks is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Turkish Exporters’ Association (TIM) Sustainability Goals and carries out its corporate activities in line with these goals. It is a signatory and supporter of the Unified Social Compliance Program-SLCP initiative, which is one of the important initiatives of social development, simplification and sustainability in the industry.
The empowerment of women in daily and business life is a condition for social and economic development. With this awareness, Ekoteks adopts and supports the UN Global Compact Women’s Empowerment Principles. As a requirement of our understanding of Social Sustainability, it supports women’s empowerment activities in solidarity with the Non-Governmental Organization KADAV.
- We measure and report our corporate carbon footprint in accordance with ISO 14064-1 Standards
- We consume I-REC certified energy and reset our electricity-based corporate carbon footprint
- Water and Wastewater analyzes are carried out as a ZDHC approved laboratory
What are the services of EKOTEKS for the leather industry?
Ekoteks Laboratory, emphasizing the importance of leather processing in terms of tanneries, and especially the Chromium VI test, azo dyestuffs, carcinogenic and allergen dyes, pH, etc. ecological tests primarily serve in various physical and chemical test groups.
Within the scope of testing, technical support and reporting services for the leather industry, product analyzes are carried out within the scope of international standards, legal regulations and brand requirements.
Within the scope of the EKS308 social compliance program, the enterprises’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ILO conventions, T.R. Evaluation, development and certification services are provided for their compliance with Business, OHS Laws and Regulations.
Leather industry waste water tests, We aim to contribute to environmental sustainability and protection of our ecological resources with analyzes and tests.
In the Water and Waste Water Laboratory approved by ZDHC in international standards, conventional and MRSL methods are applied to waste water and sludge tests, and sampling service is provided in the field.
Are plastic or metal accessories used in leather garments subjected to laboratory tests?
As an important part of the product, accessories are also tested within the scope of international requirements in terms of harmful heavy metal contents such as lead – cadmium – nickel according to the material structure. In addition, physical tests for the strength of the accessories can also be applied.
Finally, what advice would you give to young people in the field of education?
Ekoteks provides training and consultancy services in addition to laboratory and surveillance services. Believing that trainings have a great role in raising quality standards, it regularly organizes sectoral trainings. In addition, it provides sectoral companies with information and experience that will enable a sustainable future by informing them about test processes and procedures and by following industrial developments. It organizes international symposiums in order to share
Based on these studies, a sustainable success and continuous education is a whole of life. We want young people to see life in a continuous education and development integrity.