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2016 Sustainability Report
published 2017/08/01

Glossary

 

  A-Customers

Our most important customers are called A-Customers. Other customer groups are B- Customers and C-Customers. Classification is based on the criteria: revenue, revenue potential and image factor.

  AFW

Asia Floor Wage. The Asia Floor Wage Campaign, a global coalition of trade unions and NGOs that promote living wages in the textile industry. Living Wages were calculated for a few Asian countries – but only for the country as a whole and without taking regional differences into consideration. The FWF uses the AFW Living Wage as a benchmark.

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  Audit

Designation for monitoring by external (or internal) experts regarding the fulfillment of requirements and guidelines.  

  B.A.U.M.

German abbreviation for German Association of Environmental Management e.V., an environmental initiative founded in 1984.

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  Balanced Scorecard

A concept for measuring, documenting and monitoring the activities of a company or an organization in terms of its vision and strategy. 

  BAT

Best Available Technology, the term corresponds to the concept traditionally used in Germany of "Standes der Technik“ (SdT). 

  berufundfamilie

The berufundfamilie GmbH (Career and Family GmBH), founded in 1998 by the Hertie Foundation, bundles all of the foundation’s activities in one eponymous subject area.

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  Better Work

Better Work is a Program of the ILO (International Labour Organisation) that provides assistance and training to production facilities in the textile and apparel industry for the improvement of working conditions.

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  Biodiversity Check of the EU Business & Biodiversity Campaign

Developed by the Global Nature Fund and other organizations. This audit serves as a first orientation to identifying impacts and dependencies of the different divisions of biodiversity.

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  Biogenic emissions

Biogenic emissions are emissions that emanate from nature. Examples: volcanoes emit sulfur dioxide, methane is produced in the digestion of cows. 

  bluesign® system

The world's strictest textile standard for environmental protection and consumer protection in textile production; VAUDE has been working with bluesign® since 2001.

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  Brand Performance Check

The Fair Wear Foundation annually assesses how well VAUDE is meeting its strict conditions for membership. To this end, the execution of the Works Plan and the results of the audits are evaluated using a point system. The BPC is published at the FWF’s website. 

  BSI

German abbreviation for Federation of German Sporting Goods Industry, which represents the interests of sporting goods manufacturers, importers and wholesalers in Germany.

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  BSSL

Abbreviation for “bluesign® System Substance List ", a list of all substances prohibited or limited by the bluesign® system.

  BUND

German abbreviation for the "Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany e.V.", an association founded in 1975 that is committed to the protection of nature and environment.

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  CAP

Abbreviation for Corrective Action Plan; this records the discrepancies/complaints after an audit.

  Category A species

German category for endangered species, usually isolate, mostly unstable or acutely threatened occurrences, for which conservation assistance is needed immediately. 

  CCC

Clean Clothes Campaign, an NGO founded in 1989 that advocates for the improvement of working conditions in the international textile and clothing industry and in the sporting goods industry.

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  CE

The CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration that the product meets the requirements of the applicable EC directives and of free marketability in the European Economic Area. 

  CIR

Christian Initiative Romero e.V. is an association founded in 1981 with headquarters in Münster, which campaigns for labor rights and human rights in Central America.

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  CO2e

Unit of CO2 emissions, pronounced “carbon dioxide equivalents.” 

  CoC

Code of Conduct, a set of rules for certain behaviors. As a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, VAUDE complies with their strict CoC. 

  CoLP

Code of Labour Practices, used by the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF).  

  Cost Break Down (CBD)

Cost breakdown is the systematic process of identifying the individual elements that comprise the total cost of a good, service or package. 

  Covenant

Refers to clauses and collateral agreements in credit agreements where the debtor is contractually committed during the contract period. 

  CPSIA

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a U.S. law that regulates product safety. 

  CrVI

Chromium VI compounds can form in leather tanning and are considered allergenic, in higher doses as a carcinogen. With due diligence in the tanning process, chrome-VI compounds can be avoided. 

  CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility refers to the corporate responsibility for humans, society and nature with which we want to establish a healthy balance between our economic, environmental and social objectives.

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  Cubic Inches (cu in)

A volume measurement used especially for down fill which roughly corresponds to 16.40 cubic centimeters.

  DAV

German abbreviation for the German Alpine Club, the world’s largest mountaineering club.

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  DEHP

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer for PVC, which is classified as teratogenic and harmful to human fertility. 

  DGNB

German abbreviation for German Society for Sustainable Building Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable building.

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  DIN standards

These are standards that are set by the German Institute for Standardization.

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  DNK

German abbreviation for the German Sustainability Code, a recommendation of the Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) for politics and business. Established by the Federal Government in 2001; DNK members are appointed for three years. VAUDE was one of the first 10 companies to sign the DNK.

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  DTB

German abbreviation for Textile Clothing Dialogue, a textile and clothing industry association which has set itself the goal of improving the quality of products, headquartered in Munich.

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  ECHA

European Chemicals Agency, a Helsinki-based EU agency that regulates the technical, scientific and administrative aspects of the registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals and the central hub of Reach.

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  ecoinvent

A non-profit organization that collects life cycle data worldwide.

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  EMAS

Eco Management and Audit Scheme, a system developed by the EU to improve the environmental performance of companies.

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  EOCA

European Outdoor Conservation Association, the conservation organization of the European outdoor industry.

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  EOG

European Outdoor Group, a transnational representation of the outdoor industry.

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  Extensive green roof

An extensive green roof system is characterized of its vegetation, ranging from sedums to small grasses, herbs and flowering herbaceous plants, which need little maintenance and no permanent irrigation system. 

  FairWertung

Umbrella organization for non-profit and church organizations which campaigns for greater transparency and accountability in the collection and recycling of used clothing. Used clothes containers, bearing the logo of FairWertung belong to organizations that adhere to the required standards.

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  familyNET

An institution for informing, coaching and advising family-friendly companies on themes relating to the balance of work and family.

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  FESI

Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry, a representative of the European Sporting Goods Industry to EU institutions and authorities.

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  Forecast

Forecasting refers to predictions about the economic development of a company in consideration of the internal and external factors. 

  Four Paws

An international animal protection organization with its headquarters in Vienna.

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  FSC

Forest Stewardship Council, an international non-profit organization that certifies products from sustainably managed forests.

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  FWF

“Fair Wear Foundation” – a multistakeholder that has to the goal of better working conditions in the textile and clothing industry.

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  G8 States

The "Group of Eight" (G8) was a merger of the industrialized countries USA, UK, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy and Russia until March 25, 2014. In the course of Crimean Crisis, Russia was excluded from the circle. Currently, the G7 is in effect, as it was between 1967-1998. 

  GermanFashion

A fashion association which represents the German fashion industry and their interests.

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  GLWC

"Global Living Wage Coalition": Works on the improvement of wages in the supply chain. 

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  GMO

Genetically Modified Organism 

  Gold Standard

Certification organization for climate protection projects.

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  GOTS

Global Organic Textile Standard for natural fibers such as cotton.

  Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol)

The instrument most widely used to calculate and manage GHG emissions.

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  Greenpeace

An independent, global organization in over 40 countries with the goal to “ensure the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all its diversity”.

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  Green Shape

With our Green Shape label, we offer functional, environmentally-friendly products made from sustainable materials. They are manufactured under fair working conditions along the entire supply chain. The criteria for the label are strict and transparent. They are under constant review and cover the entire lifecycle of the product from design, through production, care and maintenance, to repair and the product’s end of life.

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  GRI

Global Reporting Initiative, an organization founded in 1997 promotes the use of sustainability reporting as a way for organizations to become more sustainable and contribute to sustainable development.

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  GS

German abbreviation for Tested Safety. The GS seal certifies products that meet the requirements of the Product Safety Act. 

  GTZ

GTZ is used to calculate the heating requirements of a building during the heating season. 

  GWÖ

German abbreviation for Economy for the Common Good, a movement launched in 2010 that is an alternative economic system built on values that promote the needs of the entire population. It is a tool for economic, political, and social change – a bridge to a better future.

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  Higg Index

An instrument for the apparel and footwear industry to assess the sustainability of products. It was established in 2012 by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a non-profit organization.

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  High Risk Countries

Countries where there is a high risk of human rights abuses and poor working conditions.

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  Hydrophobic treatment

Water repellent finish for textiles. 

  i.O.

German abbreviation for OK.

  IHK

German abbreviation for Industry and Commerce, professional bodies governed by public law, consisting of the companies in each region.

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  ILO

International Labour Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, which promotes social justice, human rights and labor rights.

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  Inkota

INKOTA-netzwerk e.V., a development organization with headquarters in Berlin.

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  Input Stream Management

All the ingredients used in the entire manufacturing process of the fabric are examined for environmental and consumer safety prior to use. In particular, the upstream supply chain is taken into account in the production countries (not just the finished product). In contrast, only the pollutant concentrations are tested in the finished product for compliance with the limits of many other textile labels. With these labels, the impact on people and the environmental that arise during production are not taken into account. 

  IPCC

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an intergovernmental organization with the goal of summarizing the state of science on climate for policy makers.

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  ISO 14001

International environmental management standard that provides internationally recognized requirements for an environmental management system. 

  LCA

Life Cycle Assessment, analyzes the environmental impacts of products throughout their life cycle.

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  Leather Working Group

International organization for environmental audits of leather industry.

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  Living Wage

A wage that is high enough to maintain a normal standard of living – often more than the minimum wage in effect in many countries. 

  LRA

German abbreviation for a Provincial Administrative Office. 

  MGMA

Myanmar Garment Manufacturer Association 

  MoU

Stands for "Memorandum of Understanding" – and refers to a signed and submitted declaration of intent between several negotiating partners. 

  Multi-Stakeholder-Initiative

Voluntary associations of public, civil society and private actors. Multi-stakeholder initiatives are designed to solve complex social problems in a cooperative way.

  myclimate

A non-profit Swiss foundation that promotes climate protection on three levels - prevention, reduction and compensation.

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  n.i.O.

German abbreviation for “not OK”. 

  NABU

German abbreviation for Nature Conservation Association Germany, a German non-governmental organization founded in 1899, which is primarily dedicated to specific objectives of nature conservation at Germany and abroad.

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  Naturkapital Deutschland – TEEB DE

An interdisciplinary project, which aims to apply the issues and research approaches of the international TEEB study on the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Germany.

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  NGO

Non-governmental organization

  OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

An independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate materials and end products at all stages of processing.

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  OIA

Outdoor Industry Association, was established in 1989 and is based in the U.S.; represents the interests of the international outdoor industry.

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  PBT Substances

Persistent (non degradable), Bioaccumulative (accumulates in the body), Toxic (poisonous) substances: Properties of particularly hazardous chemicals. 

  PDCA

Plan do check act 

  Pestizids-Aktions-Netzwerkes e.V. PAN

"PAN Germany" is a nonprofit organization that provides information on the negative consequences of the use of pesticides, is committed to environmentally sound and socially just alternatives and acts as part of the "Pesticide Action Network" (PAN).

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  PFAS

Perfluorinated alkylated substances, also fluorocarbons or PFC. 

  PFC

Abbreviation for per or poly fluorinated chemicals, also known as fluorocarbons, practically non-degradable, toxic chemicals, which have been widely used for waterproofing.

  PFOA

Perfluoroctane acid, a hazardous chemical substance from the fluorocarbon (PFC) group. 

  Phthalates

Phthalates are used as plasticizer. Phthalates can be found in food, drinking water, the air and objects. Some phthalates such as diethylhexyphthalat (DEHP) are considered teratongenic and toxic to human fertility. 

  Precautionary Approach

Or also Precautionary Principle, a substantial part of the environmental and public health policy in Europe in which stress factors for human beings and nature should be reduced or reliminated in advance. The precautionary approach refers to the approach taken to address potential negative environmental impacts. See also "The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development" of the United Nations (UN) from 1992. Principle 15: In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. 

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  Precautionary Principle

Or also Precautionary Approach – a substantial part of the environmental and public health policy in Europe in which stress factors for human beings and nature should be reduced or eliminated in advance. The precautionary principle refers to the approach taken to address potential negative environmental impacts. See also "The Rio Declaration of Environment and Development" of the United Nations (UN) from 1992. Principle 15: In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities.  Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. 

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  Primaloft

Innovative fabric supplier 

  PTFE

Polytetrafluorethylene, a Fluorocarbon-based material used by some brands for waterproof membranes.

  QC

Quality Control 

  REACH

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, an EU regulation. REACH compliant means that the product complies with EU legislation. 

  Responsible Down Standard (RDS)

A voluntary industry standard for animal welfare in the harvesting of down. VAUDE uses 100% RDS-certified down in all down products.

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  Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)

A voluntary industry standard for animal welfare in the production of wool.

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  RP

Abbreviation for Regierungspräsidium (regional council): state intermediate safety authority that mediates between ministries and district offices, cities and communities.

  RSL

Abbreviation for Restricted Substances List, a VAUDE list of substances whose use is strictly regulated or banned altogether because of their potential harmfulness. 

  S.Café

Raw material obtained from recycled coffee grounds. 

  Scope 1

GHG emissions generated by a company’s own activities. 

  Scope 2

GHG emissions resulting from purchased energy. 

  Scope 3

GHG emissions resulting from upstream and downstream activities. 

  Shanxi

A province in China, in which VAUDE supports climate protection projects. 

  Shrink-wrap

Shrink wrapping of polymeric plastics, which is very closely wrapped around the pallets to protect the items during transport. 

  SMART

EU funded project to improve working conditions in the garment industry in Myanmar.

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  Stakeholder

Refers to people or groups who have a legitimate interest in a company. 

  Supply Chain

The sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a commodity. 

  Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC)

Worldwide association of textile and shoe manufacturers that has the goal to reduce the environmental impacts of production and to improve social situation.

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  SWOT

"Strengths - Weaknesses - Opportunities - Threats" is a tool for strategic analysis and planning, with which scenarios based on these parameters are investigated. 

  TEEB

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a global initiative focused on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity including the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.

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  THG (GHG in English)

German abbreviation for Greenhouse Gas, a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation. 

  Tier 1

Tier 1 denotes the first upstream stage of the value chain, manufacturing of the product. 

  Tier 2

Tier 2 denotes the second upstream stage of the value chain, manufacturing of raw materials. 

  TPU

Thermoplastic Polyurethane, a synthetic material.

  VAUDE Material Policy

Internal guidelines that give the VAUDE product developers clear guidance for the selection of materials and processes. 

  Wage Ladder

An instrument of Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) to compare paid wages at production sites with different benchmarks such as minimum wage and a living wage.

  WEP

Workplace Education Program – A training program of the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) to educate workers and management with respect to the contents of the Code of Labor Practices (CoLP), laws and complaint system.

  WRI

World Resources Institute, a global research institution, which is now working with more than 450 employees in more than 50 countries to conserve natural resources.

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  WWF

The World Wide Fund for Nature, founded in Switzerland in 1961 – the largest conservation organization in the world.

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  ZDHC

The ZDHC is an association of textile and shoe manufacturers who have set themselves the goal of completely eliminating pollutants from their production.

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  »SMART«

»SMART« is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Accepted, Realistic, Time bound. 

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