Information: This report is outdated – you can find the current sustainability report here.

 
 
 
 
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2013 Sustainability Report
ProductEnvironmental ImpactSuppliers

Suppliers as partners

VAUDE producers are contractually obliged to comply with environmental standards. We work together to minimize environmental impact in relationships based on partnership.

Obligation to comply with standards

VAUDE is proud of its "Made in Germany" range of products which are manufactured with climate-neutral production at the company headquarters in Tettnang. 


A large percentage of our merchandise, however, is produced outside of Germany, much of it in Asia. VAUDE has a long tradition of partnerships, accountable and personal business relationships with our (primarily) long-term suppliers.


The supply chain for outdoor products is complex, internationally diversified and contains numerous potential ecological problem areas. Our direct business partners are clothing manufacturers in general. This is where materials are put together to make the VAUDE finished products (sewn, HF welded, etc.).


Material manufacturing is often ecologically problematic

However, the more serious environmental impacts occur at the upstream stage: the production of materials and even further upstream to the cultivation of plant fibers and the mining of raw materials such as oil, from which synthetic fibers are obtained. 


It often takes up to two years from the first stages of product design to product manufacturing. Short-notice changes in the supply chain often result in difficulties coordinating quality with environmental and social standards.


Careful selection and evaluation, as well as a good partnership with our suppliers, is therefore essential for VAUDE, not only for environmental reasons but also to ensure product quality – e.g. in terms of harmful substances management. 


Our selection and evaluation process applies to all VAUDE production facilities, whether at the company headquarters in Tettnang or in other countries.


Contractual relationship with our producers

In its supply chain, VAUDE differs between producers (ready-to-wear clothing manufacturers, Level 1) and material suppliers (Level 2). We have a direct (contractual) relationship with our producers.


We recognize our responsibility for the conditions under which VAUDE products are manufactured worldwide. We accept this responsibility as a permanent challenge in a globalized market. This affects not only environmental aspects, but also social standards - see "Human Rights in Focus".


Relationships based on partnership: In cooperation with our producers, we are working on the environmental performance of our products.
Relationships based on partnership: In cooperation with our producers, we are working on the environmental performance of our products.
GRI:   EN32
Percentage of new suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria
GRI:   EN33
Significant actual and potential negative environmental impacts in the supply chain and actions taken
GRI:   EN34
Number of grievances about environmental impacts filed, adressesd, and resolved through formal grievances mechanism
GRI:   DMA Supplier Environmental Assessment
Disclosure on Management Approach Supplier Environmental Assessment
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Customers’ responsibility
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Few opportunities for harmful substances
Limits lower than required by law Read more
Waste and wastewater
Exemplary in Tettnang; action needed in the supply chain Read more
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Transportation is necessary, primarily for merchandise logistics Read more
Climate-neutrality at the company headquarters in Tettnang
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Why biodiversity is important to us
Protecting the beauty of nature Read more
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Obligation to comply with standards

All VAUDE producers are contractually required to comply with minimum environmental standards. This includes, among other things, the Restricted Substance List - RSL. 

The VAUDE "Material Policy" guides our preliminary selection of materials and technologies, and so influences the selection of our suppliers.
Because of the system partnerships that many of our suppliers have with bluesign® and the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF), we have a deep understanding of situations, weak points and potential for development of most of our producers and material suppliers. 


Because of the system partnerships that many of our suppliers have with bluesign® and the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF), we have a deep understanding of situations, weak points and potential for development of most of our producers and material suppliers.


Standardized evaluation system under construction

A standardized evaluation system for the consistent evaluation of all producers and material suppliers in relation to environmental aspects is still under construction. Our goal is not only complete transparency about the origin of all materials processed by VAUDE throughout the various upstream stages of the supply chain, but also a complete evaluation system for producers and suppliers. Some prerequisites for this have yet to be created - such as the transparency of data on energy and water consumption. We intend to achieve this by participating in the Higg Index.


High level of security from bluesign® and FWF

Suppliers

VAUDE has been working together with most of its producers and material suppliers for many years. New producers and material suppliers have thus far not been systematically evaluated according to ecological criteria. Nonetheless bluesign® and the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) help us obtain a high level of security in our supply chain.


Serious environmental impact of material production

The manufacturing of materials used for outdoor products has a serious impact on the environment. Most of the materials used by VAUDE are made from synthetic fibers. These are derived from petroleum and processed into fabrics using a high degree of energy, water and chemicals. These are then dyed and usually chemically treated again to give them the desired technical performance such as water repellency and UV protection.


In production, the materials are then assembled to form the VAUDE finished product (sewn, HF welded, etc.). This, of course, consumes energy, water, chemical additives and causes waste, wastewater and emissions.

Partner DAV FAIR WEAR
Brand alliance VAUDE EDELRID