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2014 Sustainability Report
published 2015/07/15
ProductCustomer Health and SafetyManagement of Harmful Substances

Few opportunities for harmful substances

VAUDE has been a bluesign® System Partner since 2011 ensuring a clean range of goods with no harmful substances

Limits lower than required by law

Our declared goal is to ensure product and consumer safety across all product groups. A solid understanding of the use and mode of action of chemicals as well as regulated procedures and responsibilities help us achieve this goal.


All procedures and measures concerning the management of harmful substances are regulated in our “Harmful Substances Management” manual. These include:


Harmful Substances Management Manual
  • Systematic approach
  • Ensuring due diligence 
  • Communication along the supply chain 
  • Risk analysis 
  • Feedback 
  • Emergency plan for product safety 


Multi-stage concept with materials

Material and supplier selection is one of the most important components of our management of harmful substances.


We use a multi-stage concept in material selection: 


GRI:   DMA Consumer Health Safety
Disclosure and Management Approach Consumer Health and Safety
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  • Stage 1: Supplier selection - preferably bluesign® System Partners, complying with our Restricted Substances List (RSL)
  • Stage 2: Examination of available material certifications (such as bluesign®, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100) based on existing certificates and test reports 
  • Stage 3: Compliance with the VAUDE Green Shape criteria
  • Stage 4: Random sample controls in manufacturing (based on risk assessment) 
  • Stage 5: Random sample controls of stock (based on risk assessment) 


This multi-stage concept supports our standard of manufacturing VAUDE products using environmentally friendly methods and materials, with low emissions according to “best available technology” (BAT). 


Highly conservative limits with bluesign®

“bluesign® Technologies” has developed an approach which addresses the problem at its roots. Instead of looking only at the end product and analyzing it, bluesign® is concerned with the entire production process of each individual product component.

All input and output streams are examined. Only materials that meet the strict bluesign® criteria find their way into the production cycle. This guarantees that the final product is free from harmful substances. bluesign® monitors input stream quality by assigning substances to one of three color categories:


  • Blue, indicating that all components and processes are safe and can be used in production.
  • Grey, indicating that the components and processes are not optimal, but currently meet the BAT principle.
  • Black, identifying components and processes that may not be included in the production process because they are either unhealthy or involve environmentally incompatible components or materials.

Over 800 critical substances on the radar

bluesign® technologies limits help to protect the environment and conserve resources. Very positive, verifiable results have been achieved in reducing air emission, water use and resource consumption. Within the bluesign® standard, over 800 limited or banned substances are monitored.


Two levels:

bluesign® comprises two categories. VAUDE “Green Shape” products can be manufactured in accordance with either category. 


  • “bluesign® approved fabric”: at least 90 percent of the textile in the product must be bluesign® certified – especially inner and outer materials, and all prints. The remaining ten percent may not have direct contact with the skin and must comply with the criteria and limits of the bluesign® Restricted Substance List (RSL)
  • “bluesign® product“: at least 95 percent of the textile in the product must be bluesign® certified – especially inner and outer materials, and all prints. In addition, at least 30 percent of other clothing parts must be bluesign® certified (such as zips, buttons, embroidery). In backpacks and similar items, it must be at least 20 percent. All other components may not come into direct contact with the skin and must comply with the criteria and limits of the bluesign® RSL. 


Greeen Shape

VAUDE “Green Shape” Product: regulated down to the last detail

For all materials used, the VAUDE RSL is the basis of the business relationship. This RSL regulates the use of critical substances in our supply chain. It is based on the bluesign® System Substances List (BSSL) created by bluesign® Technologies.


The limits and prohibitions of individual substances specified in the VAUDE RSL go far beyond the legal requirements (REACH) and the requirements of other textile standards.


Suppliers must provide test reports

Each supplier and producer must confirm their compliance RSL limits - and provide us with written records of test reports. We have arranged with a renowned institute for a VAUDE harmful substances test program for our partners. More about this here.

Partner DAV FAIR WEAR
Brand alliance VAUDE EDELRID