Joint efforts provide sustainable support to people, business and the environment
Label STEP is the only organisation that operates offices in all major carpet producing countries. Regular visits to the sites of hand-made carpet production are essential for Label STEP’s work. Label STEP’s visiting inspectors check safety precautions, lighting and workplaces, inquire about wages, compliance with labour law according to ILO standards, use of abusive child labour and ecological aspects of the production. Each inspection is documented in an extensive report, which will be discussed with all parties involved. If there is any need to improve the situation, it will be the duty of Label STEP's licensees to undertake the required measures. The trade partners in the importing countries are as well regularly inspected by independent organisations.
Visits to the production sites serve to provide valuable information to Label STEP licensees about their supply chain. Improvement measures suggested by Label STEP will often result in more efficient production processes and better product quality.
Close contact with the suppliers and producers of Label STEP licensees and hands-on knowledge of on-site conditions enable Label STEP to foster an intensive dialogue between all the players of the carpet industry. Label STEP is a mediator between the interests of wholesalers, retailers, suppliers, producers and workers. Further it advises carpet companies on such issues as conditions of manufacturing and environmental impact. Thus, Label STEP can reconcile the interests of workers, carpet dealers and producers, consumers and the environment.
