Based in Chemor, Perak, Eadeco employs 420 people and produces a range of bedding and home textiles, including bed linen, pillows, mattress protectors, quilts and comforters. The company describes its approach to production as a balance between environmental responsibility, social equity and economic viability.
“STeP certification is both a philosophical commitment to sustainable production and a strategic tool for market growth, compliance, and efficiency,” the Eadeco team explains.
Turning commitments into everyday practice
For Eadeco, OEKO-TEX® STeP stands out from other industry assessment tools because it looks at the facility as a whole. It brings chemical management, environmental performance, social responsibility and occupational health and safety together within one certification. This gave Eadeco a way to examine how these areas work together across its operations.
Chemical management is one practical example. Eadeco reports that it provides personal protective equipment and regular training for employees handling chemicals. It also uses digital safety data sheets and maintains restricted substance lists to help manage substances used in production.
The company says it has adopted renewable energy and recycling measures as part of its efforts to manage resource use. These steps form part of a broader aim to reduce water, energy and chemical consumption over time.
The challenge of bringing information together
One of Eadeco’s biggest challenges during certification was gathering and standardising records from different departments. Environmental data, chemical management documents and social responsibility records all needed to be organised so that the facility’s practices could be assessed consistently.
This work required more than preparing for an audit. It brought information from across the business into a clearer structure and gave teams a shared basis for identifying where processes could improve.
Eadeco describes the TESTEX audit process as constructive: “Instead of being purely compliance driven, STeP audits are conducted as learning opportunities, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.” The company also valued the guidance of TESTEX auditors in interpreting the criteria and understanding how they applied to its operations.
Building on certification
Eadeco’s management team reports positive changes since implementing the OEKO-TEX® STeP system, particularly in its operations and brand perception. Certification also gives the company a clear way to show shareholders, auditors and other stakeholders how it manages risks related to chemicals, labour practices and environmental impact, strengthening their trust in the company.
Eadeco sees certification as part of an ongoing process. The company says it uses the OEKO-TEX® Impact Calculator to track progress over time and support continuous improvement. It also plans to explore the OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label.
For its team, the next step is to keep using what it has learned to strengthen responsible production. Eadeco’s experience shows the value of bringing separate practices and records into one facility wide approach, with a framework for reviewing progress and deciding where to focus next.
About Eadeco Sdn Bhd
Eadeco Sdn Bhd is a home textile manufacturer based in Chemor, Perak, Malaysia. Its product range includes bed linen, pillows, mattress protectors, quilts, duvets and cushions. Learn more at https://eadeco.com/.
