SGS Focuses on Worker Health in the Textile Industry
BAAR, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 14, 2026 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a Consumer Compact article highlighting the dangers of hazardous substances in the textile and apparel industry.
With regulatory focus on the environmental impact of carbon emissions, water use and waste management in the softlines sector intensifying, worker health can sometimes receive less attention. The article highlights the importance of controlling hazardous chemicals used in dyeing, finishing and coating processes to help prevent long-term occupational health risks.
Identifying the risks
The article explores common issues identified in textile facilities, including inadequate ventilation, unsafe chemical handling and storage practices, insufficient training and a lack of structured occupational health programs and exposure monitoring.
Exploring the S.T.O.P principle
A key tool in risk mitigation is the S.T.O.P. principle: substitution, technical controls, organizational measures and personal protective equipment (PPE). The article explains how robust management systems applied effectively can help facilities identify, control and reduce workplace risks more effectively, and also examines the benefits of a systems-based approach to occupational health and safety management.
bluesign solution
The bluesign System helps facilities identify, manage and reduce occupational health risks through a comprehensive approach to chemical management and facility performance. By evaluating worker safety alongside environmental performance, resource productivity, emergency preparedness and social responsibility, bluesign, an SGS company, provides a structured framework for assessing how chemical risks are managed in practice. The article also highlights the bluesign CMR Solvent Phaseout Program, which supports manufacturers in reducing reliance on higher-risk substances while promoting safer workplaces and more responsible chemical management practices.
Read the full article, ‘Why Textile Sustainability Must Include Worker Health’.
For further information, contact:
Barbara Oswald
Chief Commercial Officer
Tel: +41 (71) 272 29 90
Website: www.bluesign.com
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products
About Us
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
Contacts