On episode 237, Kestrel welcomes Ben Mead, the Managing Director of Hohenstein Institute USA, to the show. Hohenstein Institute USA is one of the founding members of the OEKO-TEX® Association, and Ben serves as the company’s liaison with government agencies, industry collaborations and trade associations.
“Green chemistry has a kind of textbook definition around design of chemicals and processes really to help reduce or eliminate hazardous substances or the toxicity and those sort of hazard type characteristics — and so, I think that’s pretty well been defined by some of the organizations that really focus on green chemistry. I think one of the other things that’s important when we consider, or we do other work — is not only what goes into the actual chemical itself, but also how can that influence the impact of how it’s used as well.”
-Ben Mead
On this week’s show, Ben shares more on his background working in chemistry and textiles, and some of the work he does with OEKO-TEX® today.
Also, he helps explains some of the origins of OEKO-TEX® as an association, and the key differences between their certifications — STANDARD 100, MADE IN GREEN, and STeP. Kestrel also asks Ben to specify some of the ways in which OEKO-TEX® holds themselves accountable, when it comes to the validity of their labels.
Ben also walks us through the layers verified in their MADE IN GREEN label — including the way it can be traced using a unique product ID or QR code, to give shoppers access to additional detailed information about the supply chain of that product.
MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®
STeP by OEKO-TEX®
OEKO-TEX®
Follow OEKO-TEX® on Instagram >
This week's episode is brought to you by OEKO-TEX® - a worldwide association of 18 independent research and test institutes that sets standards for safer textile and leather production and products. The OEKO-TEX® portfolio of independent certifications and product labels help all of us make responsible decisions to choose products that are safer, more environmentally friendly, and manufactured in a socially responsible way.
Learn more about their labels at www.oeko-tex.com.
S02 Episode 101 | BECKY EARLEY + CIRCULAR DESIGN
S02 Episode 100 | NADINE FARAG, ONE WHO DRESSES + PERSONAL STYLE AS SUSTAINABILITY
S02 Episode 99 | PROCLAIM + THE NUDE REVOLUTION
S02 Episode 98 | SILKROLL, FASHION + THE SHARING ECONOMY
S02 Episode 97 | THE ZIRAN + XIANG YUN SHA SILK
S02 Episode 96 | BANGS SHOES, OPPORTUNITIES OVER THINGS + KIVA
S02 Episode 95 | RECESS CITY, A NEW YEAR + ETHICAL INTENTIONS
S02 Episode 94 | ZANNI, PERFORMANCE FABRIC + DESIGNING TO LAST
S02 Episode 93 | COYUCHI + THEIR CIRCULAR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
S02 Episode 92 | THE ACCIDENTAL ICON ON FASHION, IDENTITY + PERFORMATIVE STYLE
S02 Episode 91 | PROUD MARY + ARTISAN MADE VS ETHICAL PRODUCTION
S02 Episode 90 | COTOPAXI, LLAMA WOOL + QUESTIVAL
S02 Episode 89 | FARMGIRL FLOWERS + DIRT ON THE FLORAL INDUSTRY
S02 Episode 88 | TARA + THE ERA OF CUSTOMIZATION
S02 Episode 87 | PHLUR + REIMAGINING FRAGRANCE
S02 Episode 86 | RECONSIDERED + DRIVING POSITIVE BEHAVIOR CHANGE
S02 Episode 85 | THE GOOD TRADE + SOCIAL GOOD
S02 Episode 84 | SALT GYPSY + SUSTAINABILITY IN SURF CULTURE
S02 Episode 83 | NAADAM + "THE WORLD'S FAIREST CASHMERE"
S02 Episode 82 | PROJECT JUST SEAL OF APPROVAL + RIZ BOARDSHORTS
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