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Glossary

Capacity building

Helping our business partners and others understand how to manage and improve workplace conditions, e.g. through training, producing guidance manuals, and sharing best practice.

Community Affairs

Corporate function within the Social and Environmental Affairs team which coordinates a network of employees managing corporate donations, volunteering programmes and community relations in the subsidiaries and other local entities of the adidas Group. A further key task of Community Affairs is the global management of disaster relief efforts and the management of reporting mechanisms so we can analyse needs, evaluate the impact of our work and report on our initiatives.

Corporate Responsibility

Managing a company’s business processes in a way that creates economic value while also respecting people and communities and minimising environmental impact.

Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI)

Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are the first global indexes tracking the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide. Based on the cooperation of Dow Jones Indexes and the RobecoSAM Group they provide asset managers with reliable and objective benchmarks to manage sustainability portfolios.

DJSI Homepage

Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)

EMAS is the most comprehensive Environmental Management and Audit Scheme for the improvement of environmental performance for enterprises and organisations. This voluntary instrument of the European Union for eco-management and auditing is open to organisations of all sizes and sectors, and covers the requirements of DIN EN ISO 14001 and in this sense is applicable worldwide. In significant aspects, however, EMAS provides more: tangible improvement in environmental performance, validated legal compliance, and comprehensible transparency through environmental reporting.

Fair Factories Clearinghouse (FFC)

A collaborative industry effort involving retail and consumer brands and retail trade associations to create a system for managing and sharing social audit information.

FFC Homepage

Fair Labor Association (FLA)

Non-profit organisation working cooperatively with companies, NGOs and universities, to promote a workplace code of conduct based on International Labour Organization standards.

FLA Homepage

Flock transfer printing

Technology that allows structural and solid print designs.

FTSE4Good Index Series

The FTSE4Good Index Series has been designed to objectively measure the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. Transparent management and criteria make FTSE4Good a valuable tool for consultants, asset owners, fund managers, investment banks, stock exchanges and brokers when assessing or creating responsible investment products.

FTSE4Good Index Series Homepage

Global Operations

Group function which manages product development, commercialisation and distribution and also supervises the major part of manufacturing for all adidas Group brands.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Independent institution developing a generally accepted framework for sustainability reporting.

GRI Homepage

International Labour Organization (ILO)

The ILO is the tripartite UN agency that brings together governments, employers and workers of its member states in common action to promote decent work throughout the world. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue in handling work-related issues.

ILO Homepage

ISO 14001 standard

Represents the core set of standards used by organisations for designing and implementing an effective environmental management system. It helps organisations to minimise the negative environmental impact of their operations and processes, to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements, and to continually improve in the above.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

Measures the effectiveness of actions taken by our suppliers to ensure compliance with the 'Workplace Standards'.

Lean

Manufacturing efficiency programme promoted by the adidas Group to improve overall factory performance in terms of delivery, quality and cost.

Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA)

Introduced in 1974, establishing the rules for international trade in textiles and garments. Through the MFA, quotas were set limiting the amount of imports of textiles and clothing to the developed world. The MFA expired at the end of 2004.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Special interest groups, often not-for-profit, raising awareness of sustainable development issues in business.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Synthetic material used in the manufacture of sports apparel and hardware that we are striving to phase out because of its adverse health and environmental impacts.

Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 (OHSAS)

OHSAS 18001 is the internationally recognised assessment specification for occupational health and safety management systems. It was developed by a selection of leading trade bodies, international standards and certification bodies. OHSAS 18001 has been designed to be compatible with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, to help organisation meet their health and safety obligations in an efficient manner.

Social and Environmental Affairs (SEA)

Department of the adidas Group responsible for producing and developing sustainability policies and initiatives, and promoting social and environmental awareness throughout the company and its supply chain.

Socially Responsible Investment (SRI)

Investment that is made on the basis of the financial, environmental and social performance of a company.

Stakeholder

Person, community or organisation that affects, or is affected by the operations of a company.

Sustainability

The ability to create economic, social and environmental value in the long term.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Solvents that can cause breathing and health problems. VOCs are by-products of the shoe manufacturing process.

Workplace Standards

The Group’s supply chain code of conduct, formerly known as the 'Standards of Engagement' (SOE). A set of labour, health and safety, and environmental principles designed as tools to help the adidas Group choose supply chain partners, monitor their performance and identify problems.

Last update: April 13th, 2012

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2012 Sustainability Progress Report
adidas Group Restricted Substances Policy (PDF 1.04 MB)

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