Steps to develop further substitution case studies
G-Star RAW – March 2013
G-Star does not allow the use of chemicals in our products that can have a harmful effect on health or theenvironment. This is why we live up to strict quality and safety standards and regulations, and carefully
monitor the use of chemicals in G-Star products with our G-Star Restricted Substances List (RSL).
We are committed to eliminate industrial releases of hazardous chemicals into the environment, and set
the target to reach zero discharge of hazardous chemicals from all our products and production
processes by 2020.
G-Star’s commitment is in line with the goal of the Joint Roadmap; a joint initiative of the brands adidas
Group, C&A, Esprit, G-Star Raw, H&M, Inditex, Jack Wolfskin, Levi Strauss & Co., Li Ning, NIKE, Inc.,and PUMA SE to collectively work towards zero discharge by 2020. The roadmap includes specificactions and timelines to realise this shared commitment and to set the right standard of environmental
performance for the global apparel and footwear industry. G-Star supports and puts effort in the group’s
1
activities to collectively find safer substitutions for hazardous chemicals used in the apparel industry .
G-Star supports initiatives to disseminate industry best practices and raise awareness within the appareland chemical industry of safer substitutions for hazardous chemicals used in the apparel industry. We will
share substitution information via the online Subsport.org platform.
We take the following steps to be able to share further case studies of hazardous chemicals substitutions2
via the Subsport.org platform on any of the 11 groups of hazardous chemicals :1. Determine chemicals out of the 11 groups of hazardous chemicals that will be substituted within
our production processes. Following our goal to zero discharge in 2020 and the phase out
deadlines for the 11 groups of hazardous chemicals, we can expect a continuous flow ofchemicals of concern to be substituted.
2. Work together with bluesign technologies ag and our suppliers to find alternatives for thechemicals of concern. It is only possible to achieve this challenging goal by working together with
our suppliers on the ground, which includes audits performed by us or bluesign technologies ag.
3. Review our demands regarding performance of our products and try to find possible alternatives
for chemical concerns based on the absolute needs.
4. Write case studies about successful substitutions of hazardous chemicals in collaboration with
our suppliers and partners in our industry. Case studies published:- Root cause investigation of PFOS contaminations in leather garments- An alternative to PVC and phthalates in high density plastisol prints- An alternative to APEO to reduce yellowing in polyamide, polyester and their blends withelastane fibers during heat-setting

1

More information about G-Star’s work on sustainability can be found on g-star.com/rawresponsibility and about the joint roadmap
on roadmaptozero.com.
2These chemical groups are: Phthalates (ortho-phthalates), Brominated and Chlorinated flame retardants, Azo dyes, Organotin
Compounds, Chlorobenzenes, Chlorinated solvents, Chlorophenols, Short-chained chlorinated paraffins, Heavy metal (cadmium,lead, mercury, chromium (VI)), APEOs/NPEs, PFCs.

G-Star.v2.15.01.14fb