The outdoor supplier Jack Wolfskin, based in Idstein, Germany, is the first company in the industry to announce its participation in the “Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals” programme. The Joint Roadmap developed for the purpose was inspired for example by the Greenpeace Detox Campaign.
Up to now, the Joint Roadmap to Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) has primarily comprised some of the world’s largest textile companies. The aim is to phase out any use of hazardous chemicals by 2020, which not only applies to the end product but also includes the entire production process. ZDHC members will document their progress in terms of the “Joint Roadmap” quarterly in 2012 and then annually from 2013 to 2020.
“The aim of the Joint Roadmap to Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals is extremely demanding for the outdoor industry,” stated Christian Brandt, COO of Jack Wolfskin. “The industry makes up only a small percentage of the textile market, comprises medium-sized companies, and relies on extensive division of labour in production. Without an initiative like the ZDHC and its many influential members, it would be impossible for us to achieve the aim of the Joint Roadmap.”
Jack Wolfskin has already been regulating chemical thresholds for several years in a company list of hazardous materials, which is in many cases more stringent than required by legal regulations or industry standards. Long before the inception of the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Jack Wolfskin was for example regulating the use of PFOA, with its targets based on the stringent guidelines of the bluesign standard. The process of replacing PFOA with alternatives will be completed in 2014.
Jack Wolfskin has the ambitious goal of zero discharge which can only be achieved in collaboration with the industry, supervisory authorities and stakeholders. The entire supply chain, including all its preliminary stages, needs to focus on this aim and work towards achieving it. The Joint Roadmap represents the ideal path.
Jack Wolfskin is one of the leading providers of functional outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment in Europe and the largest franchisor in the German specialist sports retail market. Jack Wolfskin products are currently available in more than 600 franchise stores and at over 4,000 points of sale across Europe and Asia.
Source:
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=115989
