ACTION GLOBAL S.A has set as its main goal the assurance of compliance with the standards set by the STANDARDS OF GOTS/GRS/OCS/RCS. For this reason, it applies a specific risk assessment policy for the GOTS orders it undertakes.
According to the company’s policy and its entire activity of GOTS/GRS/OCS/RCS products, sampled finished production products are tested against specific chemical parameters. The selection of these products is made at random either in new or repeat orders. The frequency of sampling is defined as 1 (one) time per year as a minimum or per 50,000 (fifty thousand) production products.
The samples are sent for examination to the Q-TEX certified laboratory or other authorized laboratory, the Quality Control, Product and System Certification Institute based in Thessaloniki, Greece. QTEX is an accredited quality control laboratory according to ΕΝ ISO 17025, which concerns chemical tests and analysis of physicochemical properties of raw materials and finished products.
The priority given is evaluated according to the severity of the risk and the probability of its occurrence. The higher the probability of occurrence of the risk and the greater the severity, the higher it is in priority.
The risk, in principle, is limited by choosing certified suppliers and, by extension, materials. This is ensured by the guarantee and delivery by the respective supplier of all relevant information prior to any shipment. This information includes:
- GOTS/GRS/OCS Transaction Certificate for textiles
- OEKOTEX Certificate for other accessories
In the case of accessories, when they do not have OEKOTEX certification, samples of them are examined, in order to make sure that they meet the specifications required by the certification.
Risk mitigation is enhanced by strict adherence to the protocol followed in the company when processing GOTS/GRS/OCS orders. Based on this protocol, it is ensured that all production steps are completed in a clean environment free from foreign materials and chemicals. A completer and more detailed picture of this process can be obtained by referring to the company file “GOTS / OCS / GRS/RCS ORDER PROCESSING”.
In addition to the above, in order to confirm the validity of all the required specifications, ACTION GLOBAL S.A carries out the aforementioned sample checks. The chemical parameters examined are those defined by our company, in accordance with the opinion of the collaborating certified laboratory, as high-risk parameters. These are:
- Arylamines
- Formaldehyde
- pH value
It is noted that there is always the possibility to add other parameters to the examination, when this is deemed necessary by the materials present in the examined final product or for any other reason.
The examination of all chemical parameters is carried out based on the criteria and limits stated in chapters 2.4.15 and 2.4.16 of the GLOBAL ORGANLIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS) Version 7.0.
In addition, the technical specifications of the fabric are examined. ACTION GLOBAL S.A chooses to examine the following parameters considering, based on its many years of experience, that they are considered high risk. These are:
- Rubbjng fastness, dry for fiber blends
- Rubbing fastness, wet
- Perspiration fastness, alkaline and acidic Perspiration fastness, for fiber blends
- Light fastness
- Dimensional change after washing at 40 0C
- Washing fastness when washed at 40 0 C
The examination of the technical specifications of the fabric is carried out based on the criteria and limits defined in chapter 2.4.14 of the GLOBAL ORGANIC FABRIC STANDARD (GOTS) Version 7.0.
The results of the above sample checks are registered in a corresponding file, kept by ACTION GLOBAL S.A. This way:
- The company is given the opportunity to carry out comparative checks and reach relevant conclusions about the quality of the materials it uses and the observance of the procedure followed when processing GOTS orders.
- They remain available in order to be examined in any relevant audit the company is subject to.
- The responsible for the implementation of all the above procedures is defined as the person in charge of the A’ Materials department.
The risk assessment policy of the company ACTION GLOBAL S.A can be enriched or undergo any processing, if this is deemed necessary by a future change of the STANDARDS OF GOTS/GRS/OCS/RCS or by the results of the assessment. In any case, the company remains faithful to its main goal of ensuring compliance with the standards set by the STANDARDS OF GOTS/GRS/OCS/RCS.
ACTION GLOBAL S.A
CEO