We all know the list of thread manufacturer’s and dyer’s continues to grow, so many choices and so many options. It doesn’t come up in shop conversation but I think its worth noting that DMC is certified Oeko-Tex 100. What does this mean: DMC is committed to keeping the environment clean and their employee’s and consumers healthy. Ok, so they may not always have the drop dead color selection but I applaud there efforts to adhere to these strict standards. I don’t know of any other thread companiy that is – if someone does know of any I would love to know. Thought I’d pass this info on to those who want to live green. Its likely just too costly for other companies to become accredited but none the less I’m not sure who’s watching what gets dumped into our air and water waste systems.
From the DMC newsletter: The DMC® plant maintains the highest environmental standards and includes its own water recycling operation. In fact, in 1994 DMC® was awarded the ISO 9002 International Certificate for Manufacturing Excellence, and the Oeko-Tex 100 Certification for its high environmental standards.
Responsibility for the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is shared between the 17 test institutes which make up the International Oeko-Tex Association, which has branch offices in more than 40 countries worldwide. The basis for the tests for harmful substances is based on the latest scientific findings and is continually updated, ensuring that the requirements for the human ecological safety of the textiles tested are more far-reaching every year. The concept has become established as a safety standard throughout the textile manufacturing chain and enables checks to be made for any harmful substances at each stage in the production process. The test samples are tested by the independent Oeko-Tex institutes for their pH-value, formaldehyde content, the presence of pesticides, extract-able heavy metals, chlorinated organic carriers and preservatives such as pentachlorophenol and tetrachlorophenol.
