Sustainable Textile Sector and AzoLab Laboratuvar Hizmetleri A.Ş.

Today, particularly in developed countries, there is considerable sensitivity among consumers and in both private and public sectors regarding environment and human-friendly, renewable production across all sectors. In Western countries, measures are being taken regarding the use of renewable resources and chemicals that harm the environment and humans, as well as waste management, reinforced by the deterrent effect of actions by civil organisations such as Greenpeace. Well-known national and international textile brands screen products that do not comply with consumer safety requirements and chemical and physical specifications outlined in European Union legislation (particularly in the REACH regulation) at the order stage itself and prevent them from entering their stores. In our country as well, within the framework of EU harmonisation laws, compliance with chemical and physical requirements in production for export and domestic markets is becoming increasingly important. A KKDIK circular was issued on 23 December 2017 in this regard as a deterrent measure. Having control over the quality of every component of our manufactured products and forming an opinion about them using analytical methods is highly important for preventing any image losses that may occur later. Recovering lost image will cost significantly more than the more cost-effective measures that would have been taken beforehand. Increased brand recognition and global growth require that all products be tested for human and environmental compatibility as one of the indispensable conditions.

Environmental regulations in developed countries are very strict. Moreover, worker wages and production costs are significantly higher than in developing countries. For this reason, global brands are shifting their production facilities to countries where environmental regulations are insufficiently developed.

However, in recent times, the end consumers of these products are directing their consumption preferences towards companies that, regardless of where production takes place, are sensitive to humans and the environment, and pay attention to waste control and energy consumption. With this in view, products must now be renewable, environment and human-friendly regardless of country of origin. Companies that do not comply with this cannot survive in the long term. From a humanitarian perspective, hazardous waste discharged into waterways and the environment is contaminating food supplies and poisoning our kitchens. One of the reasons for the increase in illnesses in recent times is unconscious production models that harm our country's economy. Conscious government administrations must also take measures to prevent this cycle, which should first and foremost be evaluated as an important step in respect for human rights. In this sense, as AzoLab, the country's first independent domestic textile laboratory, we are at the service of national and international brands and all stakeholders. AzoLab Laboratory Services Inc., in order to contribute to the sector's development, began operations in Istanbul in 2015 with laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art analytical and instrumental equipment and a team of experts in their field who are committed to innovation and development. AzoLab has set itself the goal of approaching stakeholders' expectations with sensitivity, showing flexibility in the face of changing customer demands with its dynamic and young team, continuously monitoring developing technology and innovations, providing reliable and fast responses to its customers, quickly adapting its facilities and environmental conditions, staff, equipment and instruments, competing not only with national rivals but also with international competitors, and advancing its name to the forefront of the sector through its agile structure. AzoLab is a customer-focused company that proves the international standard of every service provided, substantiating its activities in this direction through a sustainable quality management system. Technical and managerial accreditation audits conducted by independent and impartial organisations, primarily TÜRKAK, are a priority. Nihat Öztürk Board Member AzoLab