Environment
AFIRM Working Group
The adidas Group is an active member in the Apparel and Footwear International Restricted Substances Management (AFIRM) Working Group. This multi-company working group provides a forum to advance the global management of restricted substances in apparel and footwear and to exchange ideas for improving restricted substances management to ultimately increase consumer satisfaction. The AFIRM working group brings together product chemistry, safety, regulatory, and other experts within the apparel and footwear industry.
In 2007, the members of the AFIRM group intensified their collaboration and information exchange and began development of a common restricted substances management implementation toolkit. They also broadened the scope of their environmental coverage to include waste water treatment. The AFIRM group hosted a workshop on best environmental practices and restricted substances management during the 2007 international textile and apparel exhibition held in China. Five hundred suppliers participated.
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
The adidas Group is part of the BCI, which promotes a more sustainable approach to growing cotton. The initiative aims to do this by training farmers to change their practices, and in particular to curb excessive water use, the biggest environmental issue associated with growing cotton.
During 2007 the principles and framework for the initiative were fine-tuned, and the first fieldwork seminars held with local experts in India and Pakistan. A similar activity for Brazil was launched, and various consultations with existing programmes in West Africa took place. Specific task groups worked on appropriate supply chain models, tracking systems and stakeholder engagement activities. Two European national environmental agencies joined BCI, thereby providing additional funds.
Read more at www.bettercotton.org
The British Leather Technology Centre (BLC)
This ad hoc group which comprises brands, leather suppliers, tanneries and scientific organisations came together to develop the BLC protocol - a comprehensive audit system which measures, evaluates and verifies the respective chemical and environmental impacts of leather treatment processes.
The adidas Group has been a member of the BLC since late 2005 and is currently engaged in reviewing the practical application of the protocol.
Read more at www.blcleathertech.com
Environmental consultancy INTECHNICA
INTECHNICA is an environmental and management consultancy that is retained to help the adidas Group to introduce and maintain management systems for occupational health, safety and environmental protection and assist in establishing and developing quality management systems at various sites of the Group.
In 2007 INTECHNICA provided specialist energy management training for our suppliers in Asia.
Read more at www.intechnica.de