PROGRESS

CHANGE HAPPENS ONE STEP AT A TIME

For us, this means better understanding the impact of our actions on the environment and climate, and identifying ways to reduce these impacts. At the same time, we are continuously developing our processes, systems, and data foundations to make more informed decisions and to track progress more effectively.

Key areas of focus include topics such as emissions, water, chemicals, and resource use.

For us, progress also means being open about the fact that not everything can be achieved overnight. That is why we set ourselves targets and review them on a regular basis. Because it is important to us not only to articulate progress, but to make it transparent and traceable.

Our Chemical Management

Since the beginning of 2023, we have been a member of ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals), a global initiative of the textile, apparel, and footwear industry. The aim of the initiative is to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals throughout the global value chain.

ZDHC was founded in 2011 and brings together brands, retailers, and other supply chain stakeholders to develop standards and processes for systematic chemical management. We are participating in the program and have reached the Accelerator Level status.

"The ZDHC Brands to Zero Programme supports our suppliers with concrete tools to manage chemicals systematically and demonstrate progress through verified results. The Accelerator Level shows where we stand in terms of implementation and provides an important foundation for the further development of our processes," says Sophia Marie Honert, Senior Manager Sustainability & CR.

Chemical Requirements

HOW WE EVALUATE DENIM PROCESSES

We love denim. It's our favourite fabric. But there is one thing we like even more: denim with a 'low impact' EIM score.

EIM stands for Environmental Impact Measurement. It's a software from Jeanologia™ that we use to evaluate the sustainability of our jeans' manufacturing process in four categories: water consumption, energy consumption, chemicals used and worker health and safety conditions.

The results are classified as 'low', 'medium' and 'high' impact.

EIM Software. Environmental Impact Measuring - Jeanologia

What does EIM mean?

EIM stands for Environmental Impact Measurement and is an assessment system developed by Jeanologia® that evaluates selected denim finishing processes based on defined criteria.

It does not assess the entire supply chain of a pair of jeans. The focus is on what are known as wet processes and additional finishing steps.

What is assessed?

The EIM Score takes four areas into account:

Water consumption – for example in washing and dyeing processes
Energy consumption – such as electricity and heat requirements
Use of chemicals – the type and quantity of substances used
Health and safety of employees – aspects of working conditions within the assessed processes

Which production steps are considered?

Selected finishing and processing steps are evaluated, such as dyeing, washing and finishing, as well as the use of laser and ozone technologies.

How does the assessment work?

The assessed criteria feed into an EIM Score. Within the EIM system, the results are assigned to different impact categories.

The classification is as follows:

0–33 points → Low Impact (low environmental and social burden)
34–66 points → Medium Impact (moderate influence)
67–100 points → High Impact (higher burden from conventional processes)

Low Impact refers to a low classification within the EIM assessment system. The designation relates exclusively to the production processes examined and not to the jeans as a whole or their complete supply chain.