Chemicals are widely used in the global textile and apparel supply chains: from the cotton fields, to the mills and dye houses that make the fabric and the garment production.
This topic has received even greater attention since July 2011 when Greenpeace International launched their campaign calling for the zero discharge of all hazardous and persistent chemicals at all points in global supply chains. Read more about our engagement with Greenpeace in our stakeholder section.
It is our goal to work with our suppliers and the chemical industry to eliminate and to reduce the discharge of hazardous chemicals in our sphere of influence as far as possible. The management of chemicals in multi-tiered supply chains is a complex challenge, requiring many actors to play a role in achieving effective and sustainable solutions.
Beside our mature policies that ban or restrict chemicals in our products, we have also specified chemicals that cannot be used during the manufacturing because they can affect workers’ health. These substances are listed in our Health & Safety Guidelines.
Comprehensive and detailed standards for suppliers on handling, storage and disposal of chemicals are part of the adidas Group’s Environmental Guidelines. These guidelines specify standards for waste water treatment and effluents. The guidelines are the basis for factory inspections and assessments conducted by our Social & Environmental Affairs team and external auditors.
While we continue with our own efforts in reducing the discharge of chemicals within our supply base to a minimum, collaborative actions within the sportswear and apparel industry will gain greater leverage in improving the environmental performance of the global apparel supply chain. Therefore, the adidas Group joined a group of brands that developed a joint roadmap towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals (ZDHC) in the supply chain by 2020. It is an ambitious plan, one that sets a new standard of environmental performance for the global apparel and footwear industry. The roadmap includes specific commitments and timelines to realise this shared goal. The joint roadmap is a living document: it will continue to be refined as we gain additional intelligence and insights through our initial pilots and research, as well as our collaboration with other brands and stakeholders.