Material Risk Assessment
As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing, G-Star RAW has
conducted a comprehensive material risk assessment to identify and address social andenvironmental risks associated with the raw materials used in our products.
In collaboration with industry experts and stakeholders, we have examined the social,environmental, and ethical challenges present throughout our supply chain. This assessment aims
to increase transparency, mitigate risks, and drive positive change within our sourcing practices.
The following report outlines the key social and environmental risks associated with the raw
materials used in our apparel manufacturing. By identifying these risks and their high-risk regions,
we can take proactive steps to address them, promote sustainable practices, and ensure the wellbeing of workers and ecosystems throughout our supply chain.

1. Cotton:••

Social Risks:•Child labor and forced labor in cotton farming, particularly in countries like
India, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan.

•

Poor working conditions for cotton farmworkers, including exposure tohazardous chemicals and lack of access to protective gear, prevalent incountries like India and Bangladesh.

•

Gender inequality and discrimination, especially in regions with traditional
gender roles, such as India and Pakistan.

•

Exploitation of migrant workers in cotton farming, particularly in countries
like India and Uzbekistan.

Environmental Risks:•High water consumption: Conventional cotton farming requires significant
water usage, leading to water scarcity in cotton-growing regions, especiallyin countries like India, China, and the United States.

•

Pesticide and chemical usage: Contamination of soil, water, and air due tothe widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers in conventional cotton
farming, common in countries like India, China, and the United States.

•

Soil degradation and erosion due to monoculture farming practices,
particularly in regions with intensive cotton cultivation, such as India, China,
and Pakistan.

1•Biodiversity loss: Conversion of natural habitats to cotton fields leads tohabitat destruction and loss of biodiversity, especially in regions like theAmazon rainforest and the Indus Valley.

2. Polyester:••Social Risks:•Poor working conditions in polyester manufacturing facilities, especially incountries with lax labor regulations, such as China, India, and Bangladesh.

•

Health hazards for workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals during
polyester production, prevalent in countries like China, India, andIndonesia.

•

Discrimination and harassment of women workers in polyester
manufacturing, particularly in patriarchal societies like India and
Bangladesh.

•

Exploitative employment practices, including unpaid overtime and wage
theft, common in polyester manufacturing hubs like China and India.

Environmental Risks:•High energy consumption: Polyester production is energy-intensive,
contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, with major
production centers in China, India, and the United States.

•

Pollution: Discharge of toxic chemicals and dyes into water bodies during
polyester production, leading to water pollution and ecosystem damage,common in countries like China, India, and Indonesia.

•

Microplastic pollution: Shedding of microplastics during the washing ofpolyester garments contributes to marine pollution, threatening aquatic
ecosystems and marine life worldwide.

•

Carbon emissions: Polyester production contributes significantly to carbon
emissions, exacerbating climate change and its associated environmental
impacts.

3. Viscose/Rayon:•

Social Risks:•

Deforestation and habitat destruction: Viscose production is linked todeforestation, particularly in regions like Indonesia, Brazil, and China,
leading to displacement of indigenous communities.

•

Exploitative labor practices in wood pulp extraction and viscose production
facilities, prevalent in countries like Indonesia, India, and China.

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•

Occupational health and safety hazards for workers, including exposure to
toxic chemicals and respiratory illnesses, common in viscose
manufacturing hubs like India and China.

•

Low wages and lack of job security for workers in the viscose supply chain,especially in developing countries like Indonesia and India.

Environmental Risks:•

Deforestation: Unsustainable logging practices for wood pulp used inviscose production contribute to deforestation and loss of biodiversity,common in countries like Indonesia, Brazil, and China.

•

Chemical pollution: Discharge of toxic chemicals into waterways duringviscose production, leading to water pollution and ecosystem degradation,common in countries like India, China, and Indonesia.

•

Air pollution: Release of hazardous air pollutants during viscose production,
contributing to air quality degradation and respiratory illnesses, particularly
in communities near manufacturing facilities.

•

Soil contamination: Disposal of viscose production waste leads to soil
contamination with toxic chemicals, affecting agricultural land andecosystems in countries like India and China.

4. Wool:••Social Risks:•

Animal welfare concerns: Cruelty to animals, including mulesing (a painfulprocedure to prevent flystrike), in some wool-producing regions like
Australia, New Zealand, and China.

•

Exploitative labor practices in wool shearing and processing facilities,
prevalent in countries like Australia, China, and India.

•

Gender-based violence and discrimination against women workers in thewool industry, particularly in male-dominated roles like shearing andprocessing.

•

Health and safety hazards for workers, including musculoskeletal injuries
and exposure to hazardous chemicals, common in wool processing
facilities.

Environmental Risks:•Land degradation: Overgrazing of pastures and land degradation due tounsustainable wool production practices, common in countries like
Australia, China, and New Zealand.

3•

Water pollution: Contamination of water bodies with wool processing
chemicals, such as dyes and detergents, common in countries like China,
Australia, and India.

•

Greenhouse gas emissions: Methane emissions from sheep farming
contribute to global warming, exacerbating climate change and its
associated environmental impacts.

•

Soil erosion: Overgrazing and unsustainable land management practices
lead to soil erosion and loss of fertile topsoil in wool-producing regions.

5. Silk:••

Social Risks:•

Exploitative labor practices in silk production, particularly in regions withlow labor standards, such as China, India, and Thailand.

•

Gender inequality and discrimination against women workers in the silk
industry, prevalent in countries like China, India, and Vietnam.

•

Child labor and forced labor in silk farming and processing, especially incountries with weak child labor laws and enforcement, such as India and
Bangladesh.

•

Occupational health and safety hazards for workers, including exposure to
toxic chemicals and injuries from machinery, common in silk processing
facilities.

Environmental Risks:•

Deforestation: Clearance of forests for mulberry cultivation, the primary
food source for silkworms, common in countries like China, India, andThailand.

•Chemical pollution: Use of pesticides and chemicals in silk production,
leading to soil and water contamination, common in countries like China,
India, and Vietnam.

•

Habitat destruction: Conversion of natural habitats to silk farms leads tohabitat loss and fragmentation, threatening biodiversity and ecosystems.

•

Water scarcity: Intensive water usage in silk production depletes local water
resources and contributes to water scarcity in silk-producing regions.

6. Acrylic:•

Social Risks:•Poor working conditions in acrylic manufacturing facilities, especially incountries with lax labor regulations, such as China, India, and Bangladesh.
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•

Health hazards for workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals during acrylic
production, prevalent in countries like China, India, and Indonesia.

•

Discrimination and harassment of women workers in acrylic manufacturing,particularly in patriarchal societies like India and Bangladesh.

•

Exploitative employment practices, including unpaid overtime and wage
theft, common in acrylic manufacturing hubs like China and India.

Environmental Risks:•High energy consumption: Acrylic production is energy-intensive,
contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, with major
production centers in China, India, and the United States.

•

Pollution: Discharge of toxic chemicals and dyes into water bodies during
acrylic production, leading to water pollution and ecosystem damage,common in countries like China, India, and Indonesia.

•

Microplastic pollution: Shedding of microplastics during the washing ofacrylic garments contributes to marine pollution, threatening aquatic
ecosystems and marine life worldwide.

•

Carbon emissions: Acrylic production contributes significantly to carbon
emissions, exacerbating climate change and its associated environmental
impacts.

7. Elastane:••

Social Risks:•Poor working conditions in elastane manufacturing facilities, especially incountries with lax labor regulations, such as China, India, and Bangladesh.

•

Health hazards for workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals during
elastane production, prevalent in countries like China, India, and Indonesia.

•

Discrimination and harassment of women workers in elastane
manufacturing, particularly in patriarchal societies like India and
Bangladesh.

•

Exploitative employment practices, including unpaid overtime and wage
theft, common in elastane manufacturing hubs like China and India.

Environmental Risks:•High energy consumption: Elastane production is energy-intensive,
contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, with major
production centers in China, India, and the United States.

5•Pollution: Discharge of toxic chemicals and dyes into water bodies during
elastane production, leading to water pollution and ecosystem damage,common in countries like China, India, and Indonesia.

•

Microplastic pollution: Shedding of microplastics during the washing ofelastane garments contributes to marine pollution, threatening aquatic
ecosystems and marine life worldwide.

•

Carbon emissions: Elastane production contributes significantly to carbon
emissions, exacerbating climate change and its associated environmental
impacts.

8. Flex:••

Social Risks:•Poor working conditions in flex manufacturing facilities, especially incountries with lax labor regulations, such as China, India, and Bangladesh.

•

Health hazards for workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals during flex
production, prevalent in countries like China, India, and Indonesia.

•

Discrimination and harassment of women workers in flex manufacturing,particularly in patriarchal societies like India and Bangladesh.

•

Exploitative employment practices, including unpaid overtime and wage
theft, common in flex manufacturing hubs like China and India.

Environmental Risks:•High energy consumption: Flex production is energy-intensive, contributing
to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, with major production
centers in China, India, and the United States.

•

Pollution: Discharge of toxic chemicals and dyes into water bodies duringflex production, leading to water pollution and ecosystem damage, common
in countries like China, India, and Indonesia.

•

Microplastic pollution: Shedding of microplastics during the washing of flex
garments contributes to marine pollution, threatening aquatic ecosystems
and marine life worldwide.

•

Carbon emissions: Flex production contributes significantly to carbon
emissions, exacerbating climate change and its associated environmental
impacts.

9. Hemp:•

Social Risks:

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•

Exploitative labor practices in hemp farming and processing facilities,
prevalent in countries like China, India, and Bangladesh.

•

Health hazards for workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals during hemp
cultivation and processing, prevalent in countries like China, India, andIndonesia.

•

Discrimination and harassment of women workers in hemp farming andprocessing, particularly in patriarchal societies like India and Bangladesh.

•

Exploitative employment practices, including unpaid overtime and wage
theft, common in hemp farming and processing hubs like China and India.

Environmental Risks:•

Deforestation and habitat destruction: Unsustainable hemp cultivation
practices contribute to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, common incountries like China, India, and Thailand.

•

Chemical pollution: Use of pesticides and chemicals in hemp cultivation,
leading to soil and water contamination, common in countries like China,
India, and Indonesia.

•

Soil erosion: Poor soil management practices in hemp farming lead to soil
erosion and loss of fertile topsoil, particularly in regions with intensive
cultivation like China and India.

•

Water scarcity: Intensive water usage in hemp cultivation depletes local
water resources and contributes to water scarcity in hemp-producing
regions.

10. Polyamide:••Social Risks:•Poor working conditions in polyamide manufacturing facilities, especially incountries with lax labor regulations, such as China, India, and Bangladesh.

•

Health hazards for workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals during
polyamide production, prevalent in countries like China, India, andIndonesia.

•

Discrimination and harassment of women workers in polyamide
manufacturing, particularly in patriarchal societies like India and
Bangladesh.

•

Exploitative employment practices, including unpaid overtime and wage
theft, common in polyamide manufacturing hubs like China and India.

Environmental Risks:7•High energy consumption: Polyamide production is energy-intensive,
contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, with major
production centers in China, India, and the United States.

•

Pollution: Discharge of toxic chemicals and dyes into water bodies during
polyamide production, leading to water pollution and ecosystem damage,common in countries like China, India, and Indonesia.

•

Microplastic pollution: Shedding of microplastics during the washing ofpolyamide garments contributes to marine pollution, threatening aquatic
ecosystems and marine life worldwide.

•

Carbon emissions: Polyamide production contributes significantly to carbon
emissions, exacerbating climate change and its associated environmental
impacts.

11. Manmade Cellulosic Fibers (e.g., Modal, Lyocell, Viscose):••

Social Risks:•

Deforestation and habitat destruction: Manmade cellulosic fiber production
is linked to deforestation, particularly in regions like Indonesia, Brazil, andChina, leading to displacement of indigenous communities.

•

Exploitative labor practices in wood pulp extraction and fiber production
facilities, prevalent in countries like Indonesia, India, and China.

•

Occupational health and safety hazards for workers, including exposure to
toxic chemicals and respiratory illnesses, common in fiber manufacturinghubs like India and China.

•

Low wages and lack of job security for workers in the fiber supply chain,especially in developing countries like Indonesia and India.

Environmental Risks:•

Deforestation: Unsustainable logging practices for wood pulp used in fiber
production contribute to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, common incountries like Indonesia, Brazil, and China.

•

Chemical pollution: Discharge of toxic chemicals into waterways duringfiber production, leading to water pollution and ecosystem degradation,common in countries like India, China, and Indonesia.

•

Air pollution: Release of hazardous air pollutants during fiber production,
contributing to air quality degradation and respiratory illnesses, particularly
in communities near manufacturing facilities.

•

Soil contamination: Disposal of fiber production waste leads to soil
contamination with toxic chemicals, affecting agricultural land andecosystems in countries like India and China.
812. Leather:••Social Risks:•

Exploitative labor practices in leather tanneries and processing facilities,
prevalent in countries like China, India, and Bangladesh.

•

Health hazards for workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals during
leather processing, prevalent in countries like China, India, and Indonesia.

•

Discrimination and harassment of women workers in leather processing,particularly in patriarchal societies like India and Bangladesh.

•

Exploitative employment practices, including unpaid overtime and wage
theft, common in leather processing hubs like China and India.

Environmental Risks:•

Deforestation and habitat destruction: Leather production is linked todeforestation, particularly in regions like the Amazon rainforest andSoutheast Asia, leading to loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction.

•

Chemical pollution: Discharge of toxic chemicals into water bodies during
leather processing, leading to water pollution and ecosystem degradation,common in countries like India, China, and Bangladesh.

•

Soil contamination: Improper disposal of leather processing waste leads tosoil contamination with toxic chemicals, affecting agricultural land andecosystems in countries like India and China.

•

Water scarcity: Intensive water usage in leather processing depletes local
water resources and contributes to water scarcity in leather-producing
regions.

Summary table of the risk:
High-Risk
Countries(Social)Raw Material

Social Risks

Environmental Risks

Cotton- Child and forced labor Poor working conditions Gender inequality - Migrant
labor- High water consumption- Pesticide and chemical India,
usage - Soil degradation - Uzbekistan,
Biodiversity loss
Pakistan

PolyesterHigh-Risk
Countries(Environmental)

India, China,
United States- Poor working conditions - - High energy
China, India, China, India,
Health hazards for workers - consumption - Pollution United States Indonesia
Gender inequality Microplastic pollution 9

Raw Material

Social Risks

Environmental Risks

Exploitative employment
practices

Carbon emissions

High-Risk
Countries(Social)High-Risk
Countries(Environmental)

Viscose/Rayon- Deforestation and habitat
destruction - Exploitativelabor practices - Healthhazards for workers - Low
wages- Deforestation Chemical pollution - Air
pollution - Soilcontamination

Indonesia,
Brazil, China

India, China,
Indonesia

Wool- Animal welfare concerns Exploitative labor practices- Gender-based violence Health and safety hazards- Land degradation Water pollution Greenhouse gas
emissions - Soil erosion

Australia,
China, New
Zealand

China, Australia,
New Zealand

Silk- Exploitative labor
practices - Genderinequality - Child andforced labor - Health andsafety hazards- Deforestation Chemical pollution Habitat destruction Water scarcity

China, India,
ThailandChina, India, Brazil

Acrylic- Poor working conditions Health hazards for workers - - High energy
Gender inequality consumption - Pollution Exploitative employment
Microplastic pollution China, India, China, India,
practices
Carbon emissions
United States United States

Elastane- Poor working conditions Health hazards for workers - - High energy
Gender inequality consumption - Pollution Exploitative employment
Microplastic pollution China, India, China, India,
practices
Carbon emissions
United States United States

Flex- Poor working conditions Health hazards for workers - - High energy
Gender inequality consumption - Pollution Exploitative employment
Microplastic pollution China, India, China, India,
practices
Carbon emissions
United States United States

Hemp- Exploitative labor
practices - Health hazards
for workers - Gender- Deforestation andhabitat destruction Chemical pollution - Soil
10

China, India,
ThailandChina, India,
Indonesia

Raw Material

Social Risks

Environmental Risks

inequality - Exploitative
employment practices

erosion - Water scarcity

High-Risk
Countries(Social)High-Risk
Countries(Environmental)

Polyamide- Poor working conditions Health hazards for workers - - High energy
Gender inequality consumption - Pollution Exploitative employment
Microplastic pollution China, India, China, India,
practices
Carbon emissions
United States United States

ManmadeCellulosic
Fibers- Deforestation and habitat
destruction - Exploitativelabor practices Occupational health andsafety hazards - Low wages- Deforestation Chemical pollution - Air
pollution - Soilcontamination

Indonesia,
Brazil, China

India, China,
Indonesia

Leather- Exploitative labor
practices - Health hazards
for workers - Genderinequality - Exploitative
employment practices- Deforestation andhabitat destruction Chemical pollution - Soilcontamination - Water
scarcity

China, India,
Bangladesh

China, India,
Bangladesh

By identifying and addressing these social and environmental risks, we can work towards moresustainable and ethical sourcing of raw materials for their products.

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Sources:
1. Cotton:•••

Social Risks:•

U.S. Department of Labor - List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced
Labor

•

Human Rights Watch - Child Labor in Uzbekistan's Cotton Sector

Environmental Risks:•World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Cotton and Pesticides•

Pesticide Action Network UK - The True Costs of Cotton: Pesticides

High-Risk Countries:•

Global Slavery Index - Uzbekistan•

Environmental Justice Foundation - Cotton Production and Modern Slavery

2. Polyester:••Social and Environmental Risks:•

Fashion Revolution - Polyester: The Facts•

Textile Exchange - Polyester Sustainability Insights

High-Risk Countries:•

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Polyester Production

3. Viscose/Rayon:••

Social and Environmental Risks:•

Changing Markets Foundation - Dirty Fashion: Viscose Production•

Canopy - Viscose Sourcing Hotspots

High-Risk Countries:•

Environmental Justice Foundation - Viscose Production and Deforestation

4. Wool:•Social and Environmental Risks:•World Animal Protection - Wool and Animal Welfare
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•

Environmental Working Group - Wool Production and Environmental Impact

High-Risk Countries:•

PETA - Wool Exposed

5. Silk:••

Social and Environmental Risks:•World Animal Protection - Silk Production and Animal Welfare•

Textile Exchange - Silk Sustainability Insights

High-Risk Countries:•

Fibre2Fashion - Global Silk Production

6. Acrylic, Elastane, Flex:••

Social and Environmental Risks:•

Ecotextile News - Synthetic Fibres and Their Impact•

The Guardian - The Environmental Impact of Synthetic Fibres

High-Risk Countries:•

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) - Global
Chemicals Outlook

7. Hemp:••

Social and Environmental Risks:•

Fair World Project - Hemp and Social Justice•Hemp Today - Environmental Benefits of Hemp

High-Risk Countries:•

European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) - Hemp Cultivation and
Production

8. Polyamide:••Social and Environmental Risks:•

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) - Risk Management of Polyamide
Production•

Polyamide Sustainability - Challenges and Solutions

High-Risk Countries:

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Business and Human Rights Resource Centre - Polyamide Production and
Human Rights

9. Manmade Cellulosic Fibers:••

Social and Environmental Risks:•

Canopy - Manmade Cellulosic Fibers Hot Button Report•

Changing Markets Foundation - Dirty Fashion: Viscose Production

High-Risk Countries:•

Rainforest Action Network - Viscose Production and Deforestation

10. Leather:•Social and Environmental Risks:•

PETA - The Leather Industry's Environmental Impact•

Environmental Justice Foundation - The Dirty Leather Industry

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