NTA
What is NTA?
There is no standardised standard for measuring the circularity of a product or organisation in the current situation. That’s why, as well as to prevent circular textiles ‘greenwashing’, NEN has decided to develop a certification scheme for the textile sector. This so-called ‘Netherlands Technical Agreement 8195’ describes ‘circular textile’ and aims to be a standard for the Dutch circular textile industry.
Schijvens is fully familiar with the NTA 8195:2020 and even forms part of the standards committee. Schijvens already complies with this NTA and when the standard is implemented, the recycled yarn which Schijvens produces will fall into the 30% A1 / 20% A2 / 50% D1 category.
The NTA stipulates that the standard must guarantee three important things:
- Demonstrable use of recycled yarn, which can be divided into various different categories.
- Demonstrable chain management system, in line with ISO 22095 and BS 8001, which proves the clothing isn’t just collected, but also encourages a longer lifespan, within which recycling takes place.
- The design is to be set up in accordance with the Design for Circularity rules.
Schijvens employs its own designers who have been designing circularly since 2017. The CSU collection is a good example of this. For example, we have omitted the buttons on the polo and the zipper on the apron so that it can go through the shredder more easily. With this, Schijvens (and through strong cooperation with sustainable partners) meets the chain management requirements (Chain of Custody) in line with ISO 22095 and BS 8001. Schijvens realises this by using the ‘Controlled Blending’ model.
Schijvens creates coherence between the physical flows and administrative flows, as stated in the standard requirements, by implementing the innovative Aware tracing system and the accompanying blockchain application. There’s a fair and non-falsifiable balance between input and output, as stated in the ISO 22095 standard requirements.
Schijvens measures and monitors the chain partners’ strategic maturity by linking the KPI’s to the circular economy principles set out in BS 8001. The results are published during the annual ‘Supplier Meeting’. The chain partners can subsequently discuss the qualities and development points in order to further encourage the optimisation of circular business operations.
