To help go green, we’ve gone blue
From fleeces to facemasks, every item we produce is the result of a complex process that will likely involve fabrics, dyes, and chemicals with eye-wateringly long names such as Polytetrafluoroethylene or Kappatex R98.
We promise not to turn this into a chemistry lesson…
But we do want to explain the lengths we go to in order to ensure our suppliers run responsible workplaces that handle chemicals, waste and employees with respect and safety.
All of this is done with the help of bluesign®.
Understanding the bluesign system
bluesign® is a certification SYSTEM to create a clean and responsible supply chain, used by some of the leading brands in the outdoor industry. The system helps us make products with less environmental footprint, without any compromise on quality or durability of the product.
The bluesign® team collaborates with factories, including the ones we work with, guiding them towards less resource intensive production processes, while transitioning to the next generation of less harmful chemicals.
They also set strict rules for controlling pollution in water and air from these factories. This combined effort helps protect workers and ensures a cleaner environment for everyone.
As our suppliers align with the highest safety and environmental standards through this certification, this gives you the confidence that your garments are safe, both for yourself and the team who makes them.
To help you understand our commitment, here is how the bluesign® system works:
bluesign® System Partner
Companies like us that commit to working within the bluesign® framework and continuously improve their supply chain practices.
bluesign® Approved Fabrics
Individual materials that meet strict environmental and safety standards throughout their production process.
bluesign® Product
A finish item where at least 90% of fabrics for outerwear, 100% of fabrics for next-to-skin products and 30% of components (like trims, accessories and packaging) comply with bluesign® criteria.
From fabric to finished product
Where we stand today for our latest collections:
- All our outerwear jackets and pants, mid-layers, base-layers, gloves and facemasks are bluesign® Product qualified
- 95% of our fabrics are bluesign® Approved
- Only our beanies and socks are not yet bluesign® Product qualified, but we’re working hard to get them there
Going blue takes time
These figures are pretty strong, but our journey with bluesign® is gradual. Back in 2020/21, we didn't have any products involved. The following year, we started our cooperative journey by becoming a bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNER - and we know that is a continuous path to improvement as we seek to have 100% of our materials and 100% of our products bluesign® APPROVED.
All that said, usually getting just one product bluesign® APPROVED takes 5-6 years on average. But our agile approach and putting bluesign® as a central pivot in our supply chain means we’ve managed to accomplish this feat in just two years.
We hope it assures our customers that we are working hard through every step of the supply chain to ensure the production of your gear does as little harm as possible – to people and the planet.
Our unwavering dedication to going blue is a big part of going green.
