SCANDINAVIA
Sweden and Denmark, together with Norway, are unique in linking membership in the national industry association for textile service companies with quality controls. The aim is to guarantee seriousness and quality in the members’ service offering. To further develop this process, Sveriges Tvätteriförbund (the Swedish Textile Services Association) and Brancheforeningen for Vask og Tekstiludlejning (The Washing and Textile Services Association of Denmark) commenced a project co-financed by Erasmus+ 2023-2024. The result of the project was presented at Texcare Forum, 6 November, in Frankfurt, by Daniel Karrholt, CEO, Swedish Textile Service Association. Among other things, the project includes a comparative analysis made between the authorisation processes in the two countries.
Today’s quality controls
The quality control in Sweden is carried out annually through a digital form which is sent out to all members. The members need to answer around 100 different questions about, for example, hygiene and quality, environment, work environment, social sustainability and financial control. The answers are then reviewed by an independent company, the environment specialist Ensucon, and supplemented with spot checks through on-site visits to a number of members each year. To stay a member, you need to pass the authorisation control every year.
A prerequisite for remaining relevant as an industry association is constant development, not least based on an increasing sustainability focus within the textile industry in general. By developing a quality control in line with upcoming requirements based on the EU’s strategy for a circular and sustainable textile industry, the members in both Denmark and Sweden stay competitive and well prepared for the future.
Special areas of interest
The areas that have been identified in the project as relevant to take forward more clearly in the authorisation process are above all measures for reduced amounts of textile waste and circular handling of textiles, control of environmental and social conditions along the entire value chain for the products used in laundries, as well as to facilitate dialogue with various stakeholders.
In the project, several concrete proposals for the development of a quality control have been worked out. This, to facilitate the advancement in the areas mentioned above. The proposal will be used as a basis for the continuous progress of the quality control by the industry associations of both countries.
Educational material
Another central part of the project is the educational material aimed at professionals in the textile service industry. The material is based on the various parts of the quality control and aims to create a deeper understanding of why these issues are of great importance for the member companies.
The project is put in a context to create commitment and pride among all employees within our member companies. We are all agents of change.
The training material is available on a website dedicated to The new Scandinavian Quality Control model: https://scandinavianqualitycontrolmodel.com/.
The website is available in three languages: English, Swedish and Danish.
Themes and material available to everyone
The educational material is divided in several sections focusing on the following areas:
• Chemicals and water
• Circularity and waste
• Climate and energy
• Hygiene and quality
• Non-discrimination, inclusion, and contribution to society
• The value chain
• Working environment
• The European Green Deal
The material should be easy to comprehend and is therefore designed in a short and concise manner, without complicated wording. Each section is followed by a voluntary test to see if the participants understood the information. The material will, in addition to the text on the website, also be available as audio, .pdf and PowerPoint. The material should be accessible for all, including those with fewer opportunities.
Updates are shared today, among other channels, via the associations’ website and social media, as well as via the European EPALE. EPALE also serves as a great source of information with an active community and educational workshops around inclusion and accessibility.
