Environmental Guidelines
G-Star RAW C.V.
Version 4.0
July 10th, 2019
Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...........................................................................................................................................2
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................5
Background .....................................................................................................................................5
Purpose of the Environmental Guidelines ........................................................................................5
Minimum Requirements and Aspirational Level of Performance.......................................................5
Implementation, Compliance and Continuous Improvement Monitoring .................................................6
Overview ........................................................................................................................................6
Continuous improvement...................................................................................................................6
Supplier requirements ........................................................................................................................6
Soil, Water and Air Pollution ...................................................................................................................7
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................7
Minimum Requirements ..................................................................................................................7
Aspirational Level of Performance ...................................................................................................8Chemicals Management..........................................................................................................................9Introduction ....................................................................................................................................9
Minimum Requirements ................................................................................................................ 10
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Basic Chemicals Management and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Practices .................... 10
G-Star Restricted Substances List (RSL) ........................................................................................... 12
ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) ................................................................ 13
Aspirational Level of Performance ................................................................................................. 15
Chemicals Management System (CMS) ........................................................................................... 15
bluesign® System ............................................................................................................................. 17
Wastewater Management .................................................................................................................... 18
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 18
Minimum Requirements ................................................................................................................ 18
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 18
Wastewater Testing and ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines ................................................................. 19
Wastewater Test Reporting and Monitoring................................................................................... 19
Wastewater Emergency Back-up Plan............................................................................................. 19
Aspirational Level of Performance: Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) ...................................................... 20
Waste Management ............................................................................................................................. 20
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 20

2

Minimum Requirements ................................................................................................................ 20
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Establish a Waste Inventory ............................................................................................................ 20
Worker Instructions and Training .................................................................................................... 22
Aspirational Level of Performance ................................................................................................. 23
Waste Management Hierarchy ....................................................................................................... 23
Set a Waste Reduction Target ......................................................................................................... 23
Zero Waste to Landfill ..................................................................................................................... 23
Sustainable Raw Materials .................................................................................................................... 24
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 24
Minimum Requirements ................................................................................................................ 24
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 24
G-Star RAW Material Policy ............................................................................................................. 24
Aspirational Level of Performance ................................................................................................. 24
Energy Use ........................................................................................................................................... 25
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 25
Minimum Requirements ................................................................................................................ 25
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 25
Energy Sources ................................................................................................................................ 25
Measure and Track Energy Use ....................................................................................................... 26
Monitor Energy Intensity Trends ..................................................................................................... 26
Aspirational Level of Performance ................................................................................................. 27
Track GHG Emissions ....................................................................................................................... 27
Implement Energy Reduction Opportunities and Establish an Action Plan .................................... 27
Set an Energy Consumption / GHG Emissions Reduction Target .................................................... 27
Science-Based Target (SBT) ............................................................................................................. 28
Water Use ............................................................................................................................................ 28
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 28
Minimum Requirements ................................................................................................................ 28
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 28
Measure and Track Water Use ........................................................................................................ 29
Monitor Water Intensity Trends ...................................................................................................... 29
Aspirational Level of Performance ................................................................................................. 30
Implement Water Reduction Opportunities and Establish an Action Plan ..................................... 30
Set a Water Consumption Reduction Target ................................................................................... 31

3

Air Emissions .................................................................................................................................... 31
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 31
Minimum Requirements ................................................................................................................ 31
Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 31
Air Emission Sources and Air Pollutants .......................................................................................... 31
Measure and Track Air Emissions .................................................................................................... 32
Aspirational Level of Performance ................................................................................................. 33
Implement Air Emissions Reduction Opportunities ........................................................................ 33
Contact Information.......................................................................................................................... 34
Appendices ....................................................................................................................................... 35
Appendix 1: Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS/CLP) ............... 35
Appendix 2: Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Outline ............................................................................................. 36
Appendix 3: ZDHC MRSL Conformance Levels, Verification and Registration .............................................. 37
Appendix 4: ZDHC Chemical Management System (CMS) Framework ........................................................ 38
Appendix 5: ZDHC Wastewater Testing Sampling Points ............................................................................ 39
Appendix 6: Overview of GHG Emissions ................................................................................................... 40

4

Introduction
Background
At G-Star RAW C.V. (‘G-Star’ hereafter), we are committed to producing high quality and ethically manufactured
products at a good value to our consumers. As G-Star does not own or operate any factories, we work together
with skillful suppliers that share our passion to make a strong product.
We believe it is our responsibility to take leadership within the industry and continuously experiment and develop
new sustainable design innovations using denim as our canvas. When we design, we design for the future; notonly in how our products look, but also the wider impact they have. If we still want to be here as a denim brandin 20, 50 or even 100 years from now, it is crucial for us to think innovatively about the impact we have on people
and the planet.
For G-Star, this means future-proofing denim by investing in sustainable innovation and incorporating it ineverything we do. We focus on a circular approach to how denim is made and used by our customer to create
tomorrow’s classics: quality denim of the future with respect for people and the planet in a transparent manner.

Purpose of the Environmental Guidelines
In the G-Star RAW Supplier Code of Conduct (CoC), we have listed the minimum social and environmental
standards we expect our suppliers to meet. Meeting G-Star’s minimum requirements is a precondition to dobusiness with G-Star. On top of that, we expect suppliers to continuously improve their environmental and social
performance. The G-Star RAW Supplier Code of Conduct is shared with all G-Star’s suppliers and is accessible
online in multiple languages here.
This Environmental Guideline document complements the G-Star RAW Supplier Code of Conduct. The objectivesof the Environmental Guidelines are to provide for each of the environmental topics listed in the Supplier Code of
Conduct1:
Guidance on the minimum environmental requirements set out by G-Star and how to achieve them;
A high-level overview of environmental good practices that are available to voluntarily drive
environmental improvements and aspirational level of performance beyond G-Star’s minimum
requirements.

The Environmental Guidelines is a freely accessible document and is intended for to all G-Star suppliers,
subcontractors and other business partners involved in the purchasing, manufacturing and finishing processes of
products commercialized by G-Star and any of G-Star affiliated companies.

Minimum Requirements and Aspirational Level of PerformanceThis document follows the outline and sequence of the Code of Conduct and lists per environmental topic
guidance on 1) the minimum requirements and 2) aspirational levels of performance respectively.
At a strict minimum, all suppliers, their sub-contractors and other business partners must follow the national laws
in all their activities in the countries in which they operate, and comply with the standards defined by G-Star in
the G-Star RAW Supplier Code of Conduct. It is the responsibility of the individual supplier to ensure they meet alllegal requirements and obtain necessary approval, permissions and compliances related to the environmental
impact of their operations. Should there be any differences between the requirements set out by applicable laws
1 Note that G-Star also prepared Social and Labor Guidelines to provide suppliers with guidance on meeting G-Star’s social and labor

expectations. The Social and Labor Guidelines are also available online. For questions, contact cr@g-star.com.

5and regulations and by G-Star, the more stringent requirements shall apply. If G-Star’s expectations were toconflict with applicable laws and regulations, the supplier must notify G-Star immediately.
G-Star encourages suppliers to explore and implement good and best practices on environmental stewardship,
both within their operations and beyond, by engaging their own suppliers and business partners on improving
environmental practices, to drive sustainability across our value chain.
Key terms
Minimum
requirements

Definition
Minimum environmental standards we
expect each facility to meet in order todo business with G-Star

Aspirational levelof performance

Good and best practices to demonstrate
innovation and leadership in the industry
on environmental stewardship

Wording formulation
Assertive words such as ‘Supplier shall’,‘Supplier must’, ‘G-Star expects supplier to…’
will be used to describe minimum
requirements
Suggestive expressions such as ‘Suppliershould’ / ‘It is recommended that’ will be used
to describe aspirational level of performance

Implementation, Compliance and Continuous Improvement Monitoring
Overview
G-Star expects all suppliers to meet the minimum requirements as listed in the G-Star Supplier Code of Conduct
at all times, by implementing the guidelines listed in this document in daily practices and procedures on the factory
floor. G-Star will verify suppliers’ compliance with the requirements by using the following set of tools:

Higg Index Facility Environmental Module (FEM);ZDHC InCheck & ClearStream reports (more information in Section 4 ‘Chemical Management’ andSection 5 ‘Wastewater management); andG-Star RAW Materials Policy (more information provided in Section 7 ‘Sustainable Raw Materials’).

Continuous improvement
Since the above-mentioned tools are focused on continuous environmental performance improvement instead ofcompliance only, working towards good and best practices (aspirational performance listed in this document) will
result in higher scores on the respective tools. By using these tool G-Star encourages its suppliers to continuously
assess their environmental performance and make necessary improvements over time.
To allow for a well-functioning monitoring mechanism, suppliers must permit audits at any time of all the factories
involved in the manufacturing of G-Star products by G-Star employees and/or accredited auditors. As part of themonitoring process, accredited auditors must be allowed to conduct interviews with workers on a confidential
basis and to inspect the supplier’s premises.

Supplier requirements
Suppliers are required to:Post and share a Higg FEM 3.0 self-assessment (deadline 30th of April) and verification (deadline 31stof August) annually.

6

Post ZDHC InCheck (at least once yearly) and ClearStream (deadline 30th of April) reports. This isapplicable to wet processing facilities2 only.

Additional Resources

Higg.org portal3;
Higg FEM How to Higg Guide;
ZDHC Gateway4;

Soil, Water and Air Pollution
Introduction
As a start towards measuring environmental performance, suppliers should be aware of the (potential) impacts
its business, processes and products have on the environment. An (environmental) risk/impact assessment thattakes into account potential soil, water and air pollution is a first step towards taking responsibility of theenvironmental performance of your facility. Having a mature and well-functioning Environmental Management
System in place guarantees suppliers can anticipate, prevent and mitigate harmful environmental risks/impact
and continuously improve environmental performance.

Minimum Requirements
In order to do business with G-Star, suppliers must:Have all necessary permits and/or report its impacts to the relevant authorities as required by law;andInvestigate risks associated with and opportunities to reduce soil, water and air pollution.
Identify and monitor potential pollutants that might cause contamination of soil, ground water and/or
air, including but not limited to:o Air emissions: Air emissions can occur from a wide spectrum of industrial activities such as stackemissions, power generation/boiler house or from production processes like application ofsolvents in production lines;o Soil contamination: Sources of contamination may be due historic activities of production facilities
or due to recent activities, which may include accidents or poor handling and storage of hazardous
chemicals or waste. Contamination of land is of high concern as it is a direct and serious risk tohuman health and the environment; ando Water quality: more information provided in Section 5 ‘Wastewater Management’.

Additional resources

Higg FEM How to Higg Guide;
Higg FEM Regulatory & Permit Tracking Template;World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines;
Chinese Ambient Air Quality Standards GB 3095-2012 (in Chinese).

2 Manufacturing processes that use water as fluid that contacts the product being manufactured. For example, dyeing, finishing, printing, washing, andlaundry processes. Non-contact, closed-loop boiler or cooling water are not considered wet processing.
3 The Higg.org Portal is the online platform to purchase, post and share Higg Facility Modules (FEM + FSLM). Suppliers must register to receive login details.
4 The ZDHC Gateway is the online platform to search ZDHC MRSL conformant chemical products, develop MRSL conformant Chemical Inventory List, andpost wastewater testing reports according to ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines. Suppliers can get access to the platform by invitation of G-Star (or any other
ZDHC signatory brand) only. Please contact CR@g-star.com.

7

Aspirational Level of Performance
Although establishing an Environmental Management System (EMS) is not a G-Star minimum requirement aslisted in the Code of Conduct (CoC), it is highly recommended to do so as it provides a standardized framework
for a facility to manage environmental minimum requirements on the individual sections/topics as outlined in the
CoC and Environmental Guidelines. An EMS is a holistic strategy and process to identify, track and manage theenvironmental impacts of a facility over time.
An EMS typically follows the Plan–Do–Check–Act four-step model5:

Plan: Establish the objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with thefacility’s environmental policy;
Do: Implement the processes;
Check: Monitor and measure processes against environmental policy, objectives, targets, legal andother requirements, and report the results; andAct: Take actions to continually improve performance of the EMS.

An effective EMS should cover the following aspects which are summarized in the visual below6:










Assessment of how a facility’s activities, products and processes might affect the environment;
Environmental policy;
Environmental improvement program;
Defined roles and responsibilities for all employees;
Training and awareness program;
Written procedures to control activities with a significant environmental impact;
Controlled system of records;
Periodic auditing to ensure effective operation; andFormal review by senior management.

5 Source: ISO 14001:2004(E) Standard: Environmental Management Systems – Requirements with guidance for use.
6

Source: WRAP Guide to Environmental Management System.

8Elements of a typical EMS

Several certification standards are available in the marketplace, including ISO14001, to verify and enhance thecredibility of your EMS.
Additional resources






Higg FEM How to Higg Guide;
WRAP: Your Guide to EMS;
Introduction to ISO 14001:2015 verification standard;
ISO 14001: identifying and evaluating environmental aspects; andISO templates and support package, Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

Chemicals Management
Introduction
The use of chemicals in a facility's production processes and operations can be extremely toxic and hazardous to
the environment and human health if not managed systematically and appropriately. G-Star is a member of theZero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation, with the mission to advance towards zero dischargeof hazardous chemicals in the textile, leather and footwear value chain and to act towards minimizing the impactof the value to the environment and people's wellbeing.
This section is broken down into the following sub-sections: i) minimum requirements; and ii) aspirational level of
performance. Note that, although developing a Chemicals Management System (CMS) is covered in section ii), a
CMS can support facilities to address the minimum requirements from G-Star on chemicals management by
developing a holistic framework to manage chemicals in a safe and responsible manner.

9Minimum Requirements
Overview
As a strict minimum to do business with G-Star, as per G-Star Code of Conduct, all suppliers must ensure that they:







Clearly mark and store hazardous substances in dedicated storage areas;
Have appropriate and operable protective safety equipment and hazard signage in all areas where
chemicals are stored and used;
Make Safety Data Sheets available to employees for all chemicals (in the local language) in theworkshop and storage areas;
Have a chemical spill and emergency response plan that is practiced periodically;
Provide training to all employees who use chemicals on chemical hazards, risk, proper handling, andwhat to do in case of emergency or spill;
Comply with G-Star’s Restricted Substances List (RSL) and Manufacturing Restricted Substances List
(MRSL) and stay informed of version updates.

Basic Chemicals Management and Occupational Health and Safety Practices
As a general rule (and in alignment with our Supplier Code of Conduct), suppliers must7:Provide a safe working environment to their employees and ensure minimum conditions of light,
ventilation and hygiene, fire prevention and safety measures, among others; andTake necessary steps to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with, occurring in
the course of work and/or because of the operations of suppliers’ facilities.
Chemical Labelling, Handling and Storage

Suppliers must clearly mark and store hazardous substances in dedicated storage areas and display hazard signage
in all areas where chemicals are stored and used. This includes:
Classification and labelling of chemicals in accordance with the United Nations’ 8 - for more
information on GHS / CLP hazard labelling and classification, please refer to Appendix 1;
Chemical handling: documentation on precautions for safe handling shall be available for personnel
working with hazardous chemicals as part of the Safety Data Sheet (c.f. 4.2.2.2); andChemical storage: documentation shall be provided to personnel working with hazardous chemicals
on safe and appropriate storage conditions as part of the Safety Data Sheet (c.f. 4.2.2.2), including
details on storage conditions and requirements for storage rooms and vessels.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Management

Suppliers must make Safety Data Sheets available to employees for all chemicals (in the local language) in theworkshop and storage areas. SDSs include information such as:

The properties of a given substance (also called formulation or mixture);
Its hazards and instructions for handling, disposal and transport;
First-aid, fire-fighting and exposure control measures.

7 Note that this section focuses exclusively on potential hazards occurring from exposure to chemicals. For Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

requirements outside of this scope, kindly refer to our ‘Supplier Code of Conduct’ and ‘Social and Labor Guidelines’. The actions outlined in the remainderof the section must be taken by suppliers at the facility-level to ensure the safety of workers and proper management of chemicals
8 The GHS/CLP standard provides a harmonized basis for globally uniform physical, environmental, and health and safety information on hazardous chemical
substances and mixtures.

10

SDSs must follow the GHS/CLP classification (c.f. 4.2.2.1). For more information on the content of SDSs, pleaserefer to Appendix 2. SDSs can be obtained from chemical suppliers at any time. In case chemical suppliers areunable to deliver a complete SDS for a classified substance, the supplier must discontinue sourcing this substance
immediately and find an alternative with a complete SDS.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Supplier must have appropriate and operable Personal Protective Equipment in all areas where chemicals are
stored and used. Information on appropriate PPE can be found in SDSs provided by the chemical suppliers.
PPE for the use and handling of chemicals is conventionally classified into the following categories:
Category
Protective clothing
Hand protective gear
Foot protective gear
Eye and faceprotective equipment
Respiratory protective
equipment

Examples of PPEAprons, gowns, overalls
GlovesSafety shoes or boots
Safety goggles, face shields withadjustable head harness, hoods
Air-purifying respirators, airsupplied respirators, selfcontained respirators

Route of entry
Skin contact

Physical form of chemical
Gas/vapour, fumes, aerosol,
dust, airborne particulate,liquid, splashes of liquid

Inhalation

Gas/vapour, fumes, aerosol,
dust, airborne particulate

An effective PPE program should ensure that:







The employees follow instructions as laid down in the in-house safety rules and use the PPE provided
to them whenever required;
The PPE is used only after adequate training has been given to the user;
The PPE is in good working condition;
The PPE is properly worn and correctly fitted to the wearer;
The PPE is properly cleaned and stored after use; andThe maintenance schedule of the PPE is strictly followed.

For more information on appropriate selection, storage and maintenance of PPE for the use and handling ofchemicals, please refer to: Guidance Notes on PPE for Use and Handling of Chemicals.
Chemical Spill and Emergency Response Plan
Suppliers must have a chemical spill and emergency response plan that is practiced periodically, to demonstratethat employees know how to respond in the case of a chemical emergency, spill or leak. Having a plan can help
prevent employees and community casualties as well as possible financial collapse of the organization in the caseof a chemical emergency. Time and circumstances in an emergency mean that normal channels of authority andcommunication cannot be relied upon to function routinely. The stress of the situation can lead to poor judgment
resulting in severe losses. Communication, training and periodic drills will ensure adequate performance if theplan must be carried out.
According to the ZDHC Chemical Management System (CMS) Guidance Manual, an Emergency Response Planshould be prepared as a written procedure and include detailed instructions on how to evacuate the building andcontain contact names/information for individuals in charge of the evacuation. In addition:
Primary and secondary escape routes with simple instructions should be posted at significant spots,
at entrances and near elevators and telephones;

11









Emergency Response Leaders are assigned in each facility. Emergency Response Leaders are
responsible for leading any emergency responses, such as evacuations etc. Emergency Response
Leaders should be assigned specific duties, such as verifying that all workers have been evacuated;
Disabled workers and those with a history of certain medical conditions should be assigned an
Emergency Response Leader to guide them to safety;
Stairways should be kept free of materials that could block or hinder an evacuation;
Regular fire drills should be conducted to identify problems before an actual fire occurs and treatedas if they were an actual emergency;
Important telephone numbers such as emergency, fire department and internal Emergency Response
Leaders should be posted close to every telephone;
An emergency shower and eye wash station for removing chemicals that may contact the skin or eyes
should be maintained in the workshop and storage areas; andA first aid kit that is clearly marked, easily accessible and protected against dust and water should be
provided. The kit should include: i) an inspection tag to document monthly checks, and ii) written firstaid instructions in the local language.

The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) developed an Emergency Response Plan
Template that suppliers can use as a reference.
Employee Training
The supplier must provide training to all employees who use chemicals on the proper use and handling of
hazardous chemicals. Examples of training topics include:








Chemical hazards and identification;
Material Safety Data Sheet
Proper storage and handling of chemicals;Use, storage and maintenance of PPE;
Emergency response plan and associated procedures in case of emergency, chemical spills or leaks;
Access restriction to chemical storage areas; andRoles and responsibilities.

Additional Resources









Higg FEM How to Higg Guide;
ZDHC Chemical Management System (CMS) Guidance Manual;
ZDHC Academy;
Designing Safe Working practices for Hazardous Substances, baua Federal Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health;Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS/CLP), United Nations;
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Template;
Guidance Notes on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Use and Handling of Chemicals; andEmergency Response Plan Template, US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) .

G-Star Restricted Substances List (RSL)
Overview
The purpose of G-Star’s Restricted Substances List is to inform our suppliers on hazardous substances that arebanned or restricted in G-Star finished products. The RSL specifies those chemicals that are restricted and the12maximum limit of residues that can be found on final textile, apparel, accessories and footwear products. Our RSL
was developed based on:

Environmental, health and safety risk assessments;
Current and anticipated legal requirements of markets where G-Star products are distributed or sold;andIndustry best practices.

Suppliers shall ensure that they comply with our RSL and communicate our expectations to relevant internal teams,
sub-contractors and other organizations involved in the production of G-Star products.
G-Star RSL can be accessed and downloaded online here. The RSL is reviewed and updated on yearly basis.
Product Testing and Compliance Monitoring
G-Star expects all partners to ensure that all materials and products supplied to G-Star are in full compliance withcurrent laws and regulations regarding product-related harmful substances. Suppliers are responsible to only shipcompliant products to G-Star. Suppliers will be held responsible and liable for all loss and damage suffered by GStar, should any hazardous substance be found in the materials, components or final product.
Based on G-Star’s risk assessment, product testing will be regularly carried out to verify effectiveness of eachsupplier/manufacturer’s product testing program. Product testing will only be carried out and accepted fromlaboratories nominated and approved by G-Star. For further information, please contact our G-Star’s Quality
Assurance Department at qa@g-star.com
Failures to comply with the requirements set out in G-Star RSL can result in a business review by G-Star and may
result in the removal of manufacturers or suppliers from the approved supplier list, as well as a claim ofcompensation for cost as a consequence of the compliance failure.
Additional Resources

G-Star Restricted Substances List;
Higg FEM How to Higg Guide;
Supplier Chemistry Toolkit, AFIRM Group;

ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL)
Overview
A MRSL is a list of hazardous chemicals that are restricted above a specified threshold in the manufacturing of
textiles, apparel and footwear products. Since 2019 G-Star has aligned its MRSL with the ZDHC MRSL. The intent
of the MRSL is to manage the input of chemicals used by the supply chain and remove hazardous substances fromthe manufacturing processes. While RSL only detects hazardous substances that are present in finished products,
MRSL addresses all process chemicals, which may be washed away during the manufacturing process andundetectable in finished products. Therefore, the MRSL mainly targets wet-processing facilities.
All suppliers, their subcontractors and other business partners are responsible to ensure that the wet processing
facilities involved in the manufacturing of G-Star products comply with the ZDHC MRSL. G-Star anticipates that
suppliers will work closely with their chemicals suppliers to ensure substances mentioned in this MRSL are notpresent in any of the chemical commercial products that are purchased from chemical suppliers.
To aid suppliers and wet processing facilities in conforming to the ZDHC MRSL, the ZDHC foundation has developed
a number of tools that help communicate verified information between different partners in the supply chain:

13

ZDHC ChemCheck Report
The ChemCheck Report is a chemical product passport and represents the ZDHC MRSL Conformity Certificate for
Formulators (Chemical supplier). This report allows chemical formulators to share a product’s MRSL Conformance.
ZDHC InCheck Report
The ZDHC InCheck report indicates a wet processing facilities’ Chemical Inventory List’s (CIL) conformance with
the ZDHC MRSL parameters. It is a comprehensive overview of conformance that enables users to improve theirconformance based on the information available on their chemical inputs
ZDHC Gateway – Chemical Module
The ZDHC Gateway is an online portal to exchange (verified) MRSL conformance information between supply chain
partners. In the portal a database of MRSL conformant chemicals can be reviewed. These chemicals have been
uploaded by chemical suppliers, and the ChemCheck reports show the sustainability level of their chemical
products. Brands and suppliers can use the database to improve the sustainability level of their chemical inventory.
Suppliers can purchase and create their InCheck report within the gateway, to show how well they are advancing
in sustainable chemistry.
Compliance and Monitoring
In order to ensure and demonstrate compliance with ZDHC’s MRSL, wet processing facilities must use thefollowing process9:
Phase
1. Commitment
2. Assessment

3. Management

4. Monitoring andReview

5. Disclosure

9

Activities
Commit to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals as per G-Star MRSL and implement
the MRSL in all production processes
Review manufacturing process and apply the MRSL requirements
Prepare a chemical inventory that specifies for each substance and/or chemical
formulation potential intrinsic hazards based on their classification (more information in
Section 4.2.2.2), maximum storage capacity, storage location(s) and application.
Evaluate chemical suppliers to ensure they understand and meet the requirements of
the MRSL (e.g. chemical supplier to provide a declaration of conformity and a safer(positive) list of non-hazardous chemical formulations)
Assign a Chemical Manager who implements and maintain a Chemical Management
System to support the MRSL implementation
Develop a Chemical Management Policy (more information in Section 4.3.1)
Train employees on MRSL requirements
Evaluate more sustainable options in the market, for example through the ZDHC
Gateway Chemical Module (more information in Appendix 3)
Monitor MRSL conformance of all substances used and update chemical inventory on aregular basis
Conduct wastewater testing to ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines (more information in
Section 5.2.2)
Maintain chemical inventory list (CIL) on ZDHC Gateway – Chemical Module by using the
ZDHC InCheck Report

Source: ZDHC CMS Guidance Manual.

14

PhaseActivities
Post wastewater test on the ZDHC Gateway – Wastewater Module to create a
ClearStream Report

Additional Resources

Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL)o ZDHC MRSLo ZDHC MRSL Conformance Guidanceo ZDHC Academy Webinar on ZDHC MRSL
Chemical inventoryo Higg FEM How to Higg Guideo ZDHC Chemical Management System (CMS) Guidance Manual
ZDHC Gateway – Chemical Module
o ZDHC Gatewayo ZDHC Academy Webinar on ZDHC Gateway – Chemical Module

Aspirational Level of Performance
Chemicals Management System (CMS)
Overview
A Chemicals Management System (CMS) provides a framework and structure to manage chemicals holistically andto move towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals. An effective CMS should include the following elements:









Goals and objectives aligned with the supplier’s strategic vision and business case;Well-defined scope of work (e.g. product categories);
Roadmap and key milestones;
Governance structure, roles and responsibilities;
Chemical risk assessment to identify chemicals of concern;
Clear expectations on chemicals management (e.g. RSL, MRSL, chemical inventory, audit and testingprocedures);Documentation and record control; andContinuous monitoring and internal reporting mechanisms.

The ‘ZDHC Chemical Management Systems Guidance Manual’ helps suppliers in designing and implementing a
CMS. The ZDHC CMS is structured in a five-step process that follows ISO management system’s Plan-Do-CheckAct framework, as introduced in Section 3.3. For more detailed information on the ZDHC CMS Framework, pleaserefer to Appendix 5.

15

ZDHC Chemical Management System (CMS) Framework10
1.
Commitment
to CMS•Management
Statement and policy•Scope of CMS

2.
Assessment,planning andprioritisation•Chemical inventory•Regulatory assessment•Procurement /supplier practices•Chemical risk
assessment•Chemicals andprocesses of concern•Performance goals
and action plan

3. Chemical
management•Organisational
structure•Training•Document
development•Document and record
control•Chemical
management work
practices•Emergency
procedures

5.
Management
review

4. Monitor•Monitoring andmeasurement•Internal audit•External audit•Change management
and corrective action•Disclosure of
substances in use•Stakeholder review•Management review

Roles and Responsibilities
To run a successful chemical management system it is important that clear roles and responsibilities are assigned
to different departments and employees within the organization. Since (wet processing) facilities will differ greatly
in size and organisational set up there is no blueprint for the number of employees that should be involved inchemicals management. However, G-Star expects suppliers to have assigned a chemical manager or EHS manager
with final responsibility for the chemical management system. Below table shows additional roles that should be
assigned and the skillset required.
Role Assigned
For
CMS OversightSpecific ResponsibilitiesRegulatory
Compliance






10

Skillset required

Report to senior leadershipResponsible for day to day
management of CMS
Responsible for tracking progresson Key Performance Indicatorsand goals

Stakeholder communications
Leadership skills
Understanding and knowledge on
chemicals and wet processing
technologies

Systematically monitors
applicable regulations on aregular schedule for eachapplicable legal jurisdiction
Identifies new or changing
compliance requirements
Informs team members where
relevantComprehensive knowledge about
regulatory requirements
Analytical skills
Strong communication skills

Source: ZDHC CMS Guidance Manual.

16

Role Assigned
For
RSL and MRSL
oversight

Specific Responsibilities


Responsible for RSL and MRSL
compliance and communication
with supply chain partners

Skillset requiredChemicalapplication andmanagement



Hazardassessment
and riskmanagement








Alternatives
assessment

Community ofpractice andsustainablechemistryResponsible for process andproduct chemical knowledge
Responsible for knowing contact
names of individuals at supply
chain partners organisation withsame duties
Responsible for activities related
to chemical hazard assessment
Responsible for knowing thecontact names of individuals at
supply chain partners
organisation with the same duties
Communication of risk to otherteam members
Responsible for activities related
to safer alternative assessment
and communicating information
to supply chain partners

Acts as organisation’s
representative for Chemical
management community ofpractice (centre of excellence)
Responsible for chemicals
management and sustainablechemistry metrics


















Comprehensive knowledge on
chemicals and wet processing
technologies and processes
Analytical skills
Strong communication skills
Expert knowledge on chemicals
and their application
Strong communication skills
People management skills

Expert knowledge on chemicals
and their application
Analytical skills
Strong communication skills

Expert knowledge on chemicals
and their application
Analytical skills
Problem solving skills
Strong communication skills
Comprehensive understanding ofchemical management systems
Exceptional communication skills
Leadership skills

Additional Resources

ZDHC Chemical Management System (CMS) Guidance Manual; andHigg FEM How to Higg Guide.

bluesign® System
Overview
bluesign® is a certification standard focused on Input Stream Management in the apparel and textile industry. The
bluesign® systems helps manufacturers, chemical suppliers and apparel brands alike to ensure that all substances17and raw materials applied during the production process are safer and better for the environment, and are alreadyverified in advance of production.
The bluesign® system sets specific criteria for ingredients, manufacturing processes and finished products in thefollowing aspects: i) resource productivity; ii) consumer safety; iii) water emission; iv) air emission; and v)
occupational health and safety.
bluesign® is a ZDHC Accepted Certifier for ZDHC MRSL Conformance. The chemical products from the bluesign®
bluefinder will be recognized as Level 3 (the highest level of MRSL conformance) in the ZDHC Gateway - Chemical
Module.
Moreover, chemical suppliers, fabric mills and garment suppliers can become bluesign® system partner. For fabricmills and garment suppliers this entails a rigorous assessment of their onsite chemical management system andchemical inventory. After a successful onsite review a certification follows, after which the supplier is officially a
bluesign® system partner.
G-Star considers the bluesign® system as a best practice in the industry for suppliers, and highly encourages its
suppliers to become a bluesign® system partner.
Additional resources

bluesign® Input Stream Management; andbluesign® Criteria for Production Sites.

Wastewater Management
Introduction
Wastewater can be a significant contributor of pollution and contamination for workers, surrounding natural
systems and communities if not managed, treated and discharged properly. As a signatory of the ZDHC Foundation,
G-Star recognizes that water quality is a critical aspect of sustainable and environmental conscious manufacturing.
Within production facilities, we differentiate between industrial process water (water stream from production
operations) and domestic water (non-process related waste water). Please note that this wastewater guidance
focuses entirely on industrial process water.
As a strict minimum, suppliers must meet the minimum requirements outlined below. In addition, G-Star
encourages suppliers to consider implementing best practices associated with wastewater management.

Minimum Requirements
Overview
All suppliers, their subcontractors and other business partners must comply with the following, as per our Supplier
Code of Conduct, to drive G-Star’s commitment towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals:All outgoing wastewater must be treated before it is discharged to water bodies in compliance withlocal laws and regulations. All outgoing water from wet process must comply with local laws andregulations and/or the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines, whichever is stricter;
Wastewater testing for wet processing facilities must be conducted in accordance with the ZDHC
Wastewater Guidelines at least once a year by April 30th ; andSuppliers must have a back-up plan if there is an emergency situation related to wastewater.

18

For facilities where wastewater is indirectly discharged (i.e. wastewater is sent to an industrial or publicly owned
wastewater treatment plant), a verification of the external treatment, including operating conditions andcompliance to local laws and regulations, is mandatory.

Wastewater Testing and ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines
As presented above, wastewater testing must be conducted in accordance with the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines.
The document was developed in collaboration with multiple brands, non-governmental organizations, universities
and technical experts to set a unified set of expectations on wastewater testing, including but not limited to:






Sampling methodology and sampling points (more information in Appendix 6);
Test methods and coverage;
Pass / fail criteria (i.e. reporting limits) for each parameter;
Testing frequency; andDisclosure.

The ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines covers parameters that fall into one of the two following categories:

Conventional parameters: Parameters such as temperature, pH, biological oxygen demand, chemical
oxygen demand, etc., that are not relevant for zero discharge but are still critical to manage wastewater
responsibly for the textile and footwear industry. Reporting limits are divided in foundational,
progressive, and aspirational levels.
ZDHC MRSL priority chemical groups: 12 groups of chemicals for which pass/fail reporting limits havebeen listed. Zero discharge of these priority groups is the ultimate goal.

Wastewater Test Reporting and Monitoring
G-Star aligns with the ZDHC Foundation’s vision to establish a unified platform to facilitate strategic decisionmaking, and to centralize and simplify wastewater reporting across the industry. To do so, G-Star will leverage the
ZDHC Gateway – Wastewater Module. The ZDHC Gateway – Wastewater Module is a global web-based platformthat is designed to share verified wastewater and sludge test data based on testing against the ZDHC Wastewater
Guidelines. It provides suppliers with an easy way to disclose secured and verified wastewater and sludge data totheir clients, reduce the number of unnecessary testing and instead focuses on improving the quality of discharge.
Suppliers will be responsible to conduct wastewater testing from ZDHC Approved Laboratories. The wastewater
report will be uploaded by the ZDHC Approved Laboratory on the ZDHC Gateway – Wastewater Module platform.
A request will then be sent to the supplier to agree to make the wastewater test report public. Suppliers musthave at least one public wastewater test report public per year.
The wastewater test reports will be generated in a standardized ZDHC ClearStream scorecard. The ZDHC
ClearStream report is designed to demonstrate wastewater performance with the industry-accepted ZDHC
Wastewater Guidelines and provides clear guidance on opportunities for improvement in an easy-to-read, nontechnical format.
G-Star will request wastewater testing reports on a regular basis from its suppliers (applying specifications
included in its supplier agreement). This will be in line with our DETOX commitment and will help to measure ourprogress towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals by 2020.

Wastewater Emergency Back-up Plan
It is critical that all manufacturing facilities have a contingency plan in the event of a wastewater treatment failure
in order to prevent untreated effluent from being discharged to the local environment. Emergency back-up plans
can consist of a combination of the following strategies, among others:

19






Emergency production shutdown;
Holding tank;
Secondary treatment; andDischarge to offsite water treatment plant.

Additional Resources

Wastewater management: Higg FEM How to Higg Guide
Wastewater testingo ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines
o ZDHC Academy Webinar on ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines
ZDHC Gateway – Wastewater Module
o ZDHC Gatewayo ZDHC Academy Webinar on ZDHC Gateway - Wastewater Module
Wastewater emergency back-up plan: Factsheet, Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability (ICS)

Aspirational Level of Performance: Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)
As part of our DETOX commitment, we encourage all manufacturing facilities to demonstrate best practices inwastewater management such as Zero Liquid Discharge. ZLD is a water treatment process in which all wastewateris purified and recycled; therefore, leaving zero discharge at the end of the treatment cycle. ZLD is an advanced
wastewater treatment method that includes ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, evaporation/crystallization, andfractional electrode ionization to facilitate recovery and reuse of all wastewater. For more information: Zero Liquid
Discharge, Aquatec.

Waste Management
Introduction
Waste is any material or substance that is discarded from a facility site, which can pollute and contaminate theenvironment and surrounding communities. As a strict minimum, suppliers must meet the minimum requirements
outlined below. In addition, G-Star encourages suppliers to consider implementing good practices on waste
management.

Minimum Requirements
Overview
As per G-Star’s Supplier Code of Conduct, all suppliers must:

Ensure proper segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste, in
accordance with all applicable laws and regulations; andMake sure that waste contractors have the adequate permits, licenses and qualifications, inparticular for hazardous waste.

Establish a Waste Inventory
Developing a waste inventory is the first step in understanding the potential environmental impacts of the waste
generated by each facility. The process is as follows:20

Map facility activities
and processes

Identify waste
generation
sources

Identify types ofwaste generated
and hazards

Identify waste
disposal
method(s)Quantify
waste
generated

Waste Types
There are two types of waste generated that must be tracked at the facility-level according to Higg Index FEM 3.0:Non-hazardous waste: discarded materials from the consumption of goods and services and the
manufacture of goods, including non-hazardous production waste (e.g. cloth, leather, plastic, andpaper or packaging waste) and domestic waste (e.g. food waste from canteens, sanitary waste fromoffice and dormitory areas); andHazardous waste: waste that could cause harm to public health and/or the environment because of
its chemical, physical, or biological characteristics (e.g. flammable, explosive, toxic, radioactive,
infectious waste), in the form of liquids, solids, gases or sludge.

Waste typeNon-hazardous
waste

Hazardous
waste

Waste sub-type
Materials

Domestic waste
Production waste

Domestic waste

Waste stream
Metal
Plastic
Paper
Cans
Food
Glass
Cartons
Other
All domestic waste combined
Empty chemical drums and containers
Film and printing frame
Wastewater treatment sludge (industrial)
Expired / unused / used chemicals (e.g. waste oil, solvents, reactants)
Compressed gas cylinders (e.g. refrigerants)
Contaminated materials
Other
Batteries
Fluorescent light bulb
Ink cartridges
Waste oil and grease (from cooking)Empty containers (e.g. cleaning products, sanitizing, pesticides)
Electronic waste
Coal combustion residuals (fly ash and bottom ash/coal slag)
Wastewater treatment sludge (household)
Other

21

Waste Disposal Methods
Disposal method
Reuse

Definition
Using a waste product again for the same or different purpose without further
manufacture11
Recycling
The process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise bethrown away as trash and turning them into new products12
Composting
The controlled process whereby compostable organic wastes are pasteurised andmicrobiologically transformed under predominantly aerobic and thermophilic
condition13
Recovery (including
The process of extracting materials or energy from the waste stream; energy
energy recovery)
recovery is the combustion of solid waste to generate electricity14
Incineration (mass burn) The thermal destruction of waste for the primary purpose of disposal, without therecovery of energy15
Deep well injection
Injection of wastes into deep, confined rock formation16
Landfill
Waste disposal in dumps without energy recovery
On-site storage
Onsite storage of wastes
Other
Other waste disposal options (as specified by the reporting entity)

Worker Instructions and Training
Suppliers must provide sufficient working instructions and signs for handling, segregating and transporting
hazardous waste. All staff involved in these processes (e.g. maintenance and custodial staff) performed on
hazardous waste must be trained on appropriate handling procedures. The following elements should beconsidered for the training program:










Proper hazardous waste handling;
Overview of legal requirements and the environmental consequences of poor waste handling andmanagement;
How to identify, segregate, collect and transport hazardous waste;
How to track and weigh the quantity of hazardous waste;
Awareness on hazardous waste accident prevention policy, emergency preparedness and response
procedure management;
Storage and disposal techniques and procedures;
Overview of positive environmental benefits of waste segregation including quality control andensuring highest value recycling options;
Personal protective equipment distribution and usage management; andIntroduction on the use of proper tools and protective equipment when handling waste.

Additional Resources

Higg FEM How to Higg Guide

11 Inspection Checklist Tool for Facilities Generating and Recycling Hazardous Secondary Materials, US EPA.
12 Frequent Questions on Recycling, US EPA.
13 Environmental Standard: Composting Division 3 Part V Environmental Protection Act 1986, Government of Western Australia.
14 World Energy Resources, Waste to Energy, World Energy Council.
15 EPA 842/09 Waste Guidelines, Waste Definitions, Government of South Australia.
16 Underground Injection Control (UIC), Class I Industrial and Municipal Waste Disposal Wells, US Environmental Protection Agency.

22

Aspirational Level of Performance
Waste Management Hierarchy
7.3.1.1 Overview
G-Star urges suppliers to prevent and reduce waste wherever possible. A framework, the waste management
hierarchy, was developed to prioritize waste reduction opportunities.
Waste Management Hierarchy
Most preferred
Avoid
ReduceReuse
RecycleEnergy recovery
Treatment and disposal
Least preferred
For more information on waste reduction opportunities aligned with the waste management hierarchy for appareland textile manufacturers: Integrated Waste Minimization Techniques In Apparel Design: A Sustainable
Perspective.

Set a Waste Reduction Target
Reduction targets will help suppliers to achieve, measure and track reductions over time. A target should include:

Boundaries (e.g. waste streams);
Base year (i.e. start year of the target);Target year (i.e. end year of the target); andReduction (in quantity or as a percentage).

There are commonly two types of targets on waste:

Waste reduction target: Target to minimize the quantity of waste generated by the facility; andWaste diversion target: Target to increase the quantity of waste that is re-purposed (e.g. recycling,reuse, composting, recovery) and diverted from disposal in landfills / incinerators.

For more information on how to set a waste reduction target: Higg FEM How to Higg Guide.

Zero Waste to Landfill
Zero waste to landfill is a goal not to send any trash to landfills, incinerators or the ocean. Zero waste encourages
the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are repurposed. For more information on zero waste andstrategies to drive the target: Zero Waste Hierarchy, ZWIA.

23

Sustainable Raw Materials
Introduction
The growing population and industrial activities cause shortages of raw materials and rising prices. Industries
should strive towards the reduction of materials, and look for options to use renewable materials, use recycledmaterials and reuse materials whenever possible.

Minimum Requirements
Overview
As per G-Star’s Supplier Code of Conduct, all suppliers must:Comply with G-Star RAW Materials Policy for the use of raw materials in G-Star products and must
supply valid certification according to the accepted standards listed in the G-Star Sustainable
Materials Guidelines.

G-Star RAW Materials Policy
To clearly communicate G-Star’s expectations towards the use of raw materials in our products, we havedeveloped two documents:

G-Star RAW Materials Policy
This document lists our restrictions and requirements for ethical sourcing of raw materials. The
standards in the Materials Policy focus on animal welfare, nature conservation and human rights. It
includes a ban on fur and angora and lists requirements for down, leather, wool, wood and cotton.
G-Star Sustainable Materials Guidelines
This documents gives more detailed guidelines for suppliers on how compliance with the G-Star RAW
Materials Policy can be reached and also states which (public) commitments G-Star has made on thetransition towards using more sustainable materials. It outlines the materials G-Star considers to besustainable and what kind of certifications are accepted.

Additional resources

G-Star RAW Materials Policy
G-Star Sustainable Materials Guidelines17

Aspirational Level of Performance
At G-Star, we not only work to increase the use of sustainable materials in our collection but also strive to improve
the finishes and washes we use in our production process. We can minimize the environmental impact of our
products by looking for materials, washing techniques and finishes that contribute to a more sustainable future
without compromising on quality, comfort and design.
At this point there are no widely accepted standards or monitoring tools available to consistently rank or scorethe sustainability level of a final product. However, the SAC is in the process of developing a Higg Materials
Sustainability Index and a Higg Product Module. Once thoroughly developed and tested by the Sustainable Apparel

17 This document is available upon request for suppliers, but is currently not listed on G-Star’s website.

24

Coalition (SAC), G-Star will consider to adopt these modules to be able to show and benchmark the sustainability
level of its products. Suppliers will be updated on this in due course.
Until such time we will continue to develop and improve our sustainability practices on material and product level.
Suppliers are highly encouraged to contact G-Star designers and product developers to work on sustainable
innovations. By cooperating with our supply chain partners we have been able to create highly sustainableproducts in the past, and continuously look for more opportunities to do so in the future.

Energy Use
Introduction
Energy production and energy use are the largest man-made sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions globally. As climate change emerges as the most severe human, environmental, and economic risk in
the world, more stringent requirements and regulations are likely to be imposed by governments to reduce GHG
emissions. A wide variety of energy reduction opportunities are available, including energy efficiency, renewableenergy and biomass energy generation, among others, that can lead to significant cost savings for facilities.
As a strict minimum, suppliers must meet the minimum requirements outlined below. In addition, G-Star
encourages suppliers to consider setting reduction targets, identifying and implementing reduction opportunities
and developing an action plan on energy consumption.

Minimum Requirements
Overview
As per G-Star’s Supplier Code of Conduct, all suppliers must:

Record energy consumption for all types of energy used; andMonitor trends in energy usage in intensity terms against production metrics (e.g. weight and/or
quantity of garments produced / material processed).

Energy Sources
The facility must identify all the sources that use energy (also called energy source), both in the manufacturing
process and for non-manufacturing areas and processes (e.g. canteens, dormitories, company-owned vehicles).
Category

Stationary fuelcombustion

Mobile fuel combustion

Purchased energy

Energy source
Coal
Natural gas
PetrolDieselFuel oil
Biomass
PetrolDieselPurchased electricity

Examples of equipment / process Boiler Generator
 Motor Incinerator
 Chiller and burner
 Production equipment (e.g. setting machine)
Company-owned vehicles (e.g. trucks, cars)
 Lighting
 Compressed air system Motor Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
 Dryer25Category

Energy source
Purchased chilled water
Purchased steam

Onsite energy
generation andconsumption

Examples of equipment / process Production equipment (e.g. cutting machine) Chiller Heating Production equipment (e.g. ironing, dyeing, washing)

Solar photovoltaic
Wind
Hydro
Micro-hydro Electricity generation
 Water heating

Geothermal Boiler Incinerator

Measure and Track Energy Use
Suppliers must report energy use for each energy source presented in the previous section in unit mass (e.g. MJ,kWh) or volume (e.g. m3, l) through the Higg FEM self-assessment. For each energy source, the facility must specify
the method that was used to track energy use (in order of preference):
Method (Higg Index FEM) Description
Invoices
Energy use is tracked from invoices (e.g. utility bill, fuel purchase record)MetersEnergy use is tracked with an internal metering system
Estimates Primary activity data is not available; facility has to use proxies to extrapolateenergy use
 The Climate Registry’s General Reporting Protocol (Part III) and Engineering
Toolbox both provide guidance to estimate common energy sources
All supporting documentation, including invoices and estimation methodology should be well documented andrecorded to facilitate the external verification process.

Monitor Energy Intensity Trends
Tracking energy consumption in intensity terms against production metrics allows suppliers to evaluate how
efficient their energy use is, and to compare performance over time.
The following formula should be used to quantify energy intensity for a given reporting period:
Energy intensity=

Total absolute energy use
Total business production

Weight and/or quantity of garments produced / material processed can be used as intensity metric(s) to evaluateenergy use intensity.
Additional Resources

Higg FEM How to Higg Guide;
General Reporting Protocol (Part III), Climate Registry; andProperties of Saturated Steam, Engineering Toolbox.

26

Aspirational Level of Performance
Track Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Once the facility understands its energy use, it is recommended that the facility establishes a carbon inventory tounderstand the GHG emissions it emits and hotspots to prioritize to reduce GHG emissions. The GHG Protocol
Corporate Standard is the most widely accepted reporting standard to develop a carbon inventory and measure
GHG emissions.
The table below summarizes the different GHG emission sources and scopes. For more information, please refer
to Appendix 7. Note that future iterations of the Higg FEM will automatically calculate GHG emissions from energyuse (i.e. Scope 1 and 2 emissions).
Scope
Scope 1 (direct)
emissions
Scope 2 (indirect)
emissions
Scope 3 (indirect)
emissions

Description
Emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the reporting company (e.g.
stationary and mobile fuel combustion).
Emissions associated with the generation of electricity, heating/ cooling, or steam
purchased for the facility’s own consumption.
Indirect emissions other than those covered in Scope 2 emissions (e.g. purchased goods
and services, waste generation in operations, transportation and distribution)

Implement Energy Reduction Opportunities and Establish an Action Plan
G-Star encourages suppliers to implement energy reduction opportunities such as energy efficiency andrenewable energy. Renewable energy in many regions of the world is becoming increasingly available and reliable.
Although integrating renewable energy may not reduce energy consumption per se, it helps to reduce GHG
emissions.
Conducting an energy assessment and developing an action plan (for example, with the support of a third-partservice provider) would be helpful to identify energy reduction opportunities and to establish a timeframe for
implementation. An action plan typically consists of a table summarizing for each energy reduction opportunity:








Description (e.g. “Replace all halogen spotlights with LED lighting”);
Investment costs;
Annual energy savings;
Annual cost savings;
Payback period;
Priority; andImplementation timeframe.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) developed an Implementation Plan Template that can be used as atemplate for an energy action plan.

Set an Energy Consumption / GHG Emissions Reduction Target
Reduction targets will help suppliers to achieve, measure and track reductions over time. A target should include:

Boundaries (e.g. energy sources, operations)Base year (i.e. start year of the target)
Target year (i.e. end year of the target)
Target type27o Absolute (e.g. kWh or tCO2e18) OR
o Intensity (e.g. kWh / kg of production volume)
Reduction (in quantity or as a percentage)

Science-Based Target (SBT)
A Science-Based Target (SBT) is a GHG emissions reduction target in line with the level of decarbonisation required
to keep a global temperature increase below 2°C compared to pre-industrial temperatures. This level of ambitiontranslates to a reduction of 50-80% in GHG carbon emissions by 2050 from 2000 levels.
The World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) developed guidance to support
companies across the apparel and footwear value chain to set SBTs. For more information: SBT Apparel Guidance.
Additional Resources






Higg FEM How to Higg Guide;
GHG Protocol Corporate Standard;
Guidelines for Conducting an Energy Audit in Industrial Facilities
Implementation Plan Template, Sustainable Apparel Coalition; and
SBT Guidance for Apparel, WRI and SBTi.

Water Use
Introduction
The apparel and textiles industry is heavily dependent on water. At G-Star, we acknowledge that the way our
products are produced has a direct impact on clean water resources. In addition to our zero discharge of hazardous
chemicals commitment which focuses on water quality, we understand that water availability and minimizing
water use if of equal important, particularly in areas with high water stress.
As a strict minimum, suppliers must meet the minimum requirements outlined below. In addition, G-Star
encourages suppliers to consider setting reduction targets, identifying and implementing reduction opportunities
and developing an action plan on water consumption.

Minimum Requirements
Overview
As per the Supplier’s Code of Conduct, suppliers shall:Have an overview of sources from which water is withdrawn and used (e.g. purified drinking water,
municipal mains, wells, surface water, collected rainwater, recycled grey water); andKeep records of water consumption per source and monitor trends in water usage in intensity against
production metrics (e.g. weight and/or quantity of garments produced / materials processed).
Water Sources

Suppliers must know, at the facility-level, all the sources from which water is withdrawn. This includes water
consumed for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing processes (e.g. canteens, dormitories).
18 CO

2 equivalent (CO2e) is the universal unit of measurement to evaluate the release of different greenhouse gases against a common

basis.

28

Overview of water sources19

Measure and Track Water Use
Suppliers must report water consumption for each water source presented in the previous section in volume (e.g.
m3, l) through the Higg FEM self-assessment. For each water source, the facility must specify the method that wasused to track water consumption (in order of preference):
Method (Higg Index FEM)
Invoices
MetersEstimates

Description
Water consumption is tracked from invoices (e.g. utility bill, fuel purchase record)
Water consumption is tracked with an internal metering system
Primary activity data is not available; facility has to use proxies to extrapolate
consumption

All supporting documentation, including invoices and estimation methodology should be well documented andrecorded to facilitate the external verification process.

Monitor Water Intensity Trends
Tracking water use in intensity terms against production metrics allows suppliers to evaluate how efficient theirwater use is, and to compare performance over time.

19 Source: Higg FEM How to Higg Guide.

29

The following formula should be used to quantify water intensity for a given reporting period:
Water intensity=

Total absolute water consumption
Total business production

Weight and/or quantity of garments produced / material processed can be used as intensity metric(s) to evaluateenergy use intensity.
Additional Resources

Higg FEM How to Higg Guide
CDP Water Reporting Guidance;
CEO Water Mandate Corporate Water Disclosure Guidelines; andAlliance for Water Stewardship.

Aspirational Level of Performance
Implement Water Reduction Opportunities and Establish an Action Plan
G-Star encourages suppliers to implement water reduction opportunities to reduce water use at the facility-level.
Key water reduction opportunities are presented in the table below.
Reduction
opportunity
Eliminate
ReduceReuse andrecycleReplace
Rainwater
harvesting

Description
Avoid water use or switch to waterless technology (e.g. waterless urinals)
Reduce water use through implementation of water conservation measures (e.g. water-saving
toilets and faucets fixtures, improved cooling tower control)
Reduce water demand by reusing water and/or wastewater (treated or untreated) that has
been used more than once before; some processes may require water to be recycled before it
is reused20
Use seawater or lower quality water (e.g. reclaimed water, treated wastewater from anotherorganization) onsite in place of fresh water supply (e.g. flushing toilet with seawater)
Capture or harvest rainwater or storm water onsite as an alternative water supply

Conducting a water assessment and developing an action plan (for example, with the support of a third-partservice provider) would be helpful to identify water reduction opportunities and to establish a timeframe for
implementation. An action plan typically consists of a table summarizing for each water reduction opportunity:








Description (e.g. “Collect and reuse cooling water”);
Investment costs;
Annual water savings;
Annual cost savings;
Payback period;
Priority; andImplementation timeframe.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) developed an Implementation Plan Template that can be used as atemplate for a water action plan.
20 CDP water security reporting guidance, 2018.

30

Set a Water Consumption Reduction Target
Reduction targets will help suppliers to achieve, measure and track reductions over time. A target should include:






Boundaries (e.g. water sources, operations)Base year (i.e. start year of the target)
Target year (i.e. end year of the target)
Target typeo Absolute (e.g. cubic meters or litres) OR
o Intensity (e.g. cubic meter / kg of production volume)
Reduction (in quantity or as a percentage)

Additional Resources

Higg FEM How to Higg Guide; andImplementation Plan Template, Sustainable Apparel Coalition.

Air Emissions
Introduction
Pollution is unhealthy for humans and the environment. Visible smog (such as smog clouds over cities) is one resultof air emissions from production facilities, but industrial processes and operations also emit other invisible
pollutants into the air that impact human health and contribute to climate change.
Managing air emissions requires a different approach than managing energy, water, and waste. Air emissions are
regulated to a set level, while energy, water, and waste can be continuously improved. As a result, this section
focuses principally on minimum requirements for suppliers.

Minimum Requirements
Overview
As per the Supplier’s Code of Conduct, suppliers must:Have the necessary permits for air emissions and/or report its air emissions to the relevant authorities
as required by law;
Establish an air emissions inventory and keep records of the volumes and types of air emissions; andHave an action plan to control and reduce air emissions.

Air Emission Sources and Air Pollutants
Air emissions are commonly generated by factories from:Production processes, including, among others, production line equipment and manufacturing
processes; andFacility operations, including, among others, boilers, generators and cooling systems.

There are three types of air emissions presented in the table below, along with examples of equipment andprocesses that emit air pollutants and of potential air pollutants:

31

Air emissions
type
Point Source or
Stack Emissions

Definition
Stationary identifiable
sources of emissions
that release pollutants
into the atmosphere

Examples of equipment /processes
 Boilers Generators
 Combustion engines
 Industrial ovens
 Combustion heating Cooling systems

Mobile Emissions

Emissions fromequipment that moves
from one location toanother.

 Company-owned
vehicles Construction
equipment

Non-Point orEmissions which do not
Fugitive Emissions pass through a stack,chimney, vent, or otherfunctionally-equivalent
opening. Fugitive
emissions could also be
the result ofconstruction activities
that generate dust orother emissions. Thesetypes of emissions are
seldom included in thepermitting process.

 Yarn spinning or
synthetic fiber
manufacturing
 Finishes21
 Solvents
 Adhesives/cementing
 Printing
 Dyeing
 Tenter frames or otherheating process Sprayed chemicals or
paints Spot cleaners Moulding Refrigerants

Examples of air pollutants
 Dust / particulates (e.g.
PM10, PM2.5)
 Various oxides ofnitrogen (NOx) Various oxides ofsulphur (SOx) Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs)
 Lead Hydrochloride Water vapour / steam Dust / particulates (e.g.
PM10, PM2.5)
 Various oxides ofnitrogen (NOx) Various oxides ofsulphur (SOx) Toxic air pollutants
 Dust / particulates (e.g.
PM10, PM2.5)
 Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs) Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS) Toxic air pollutants
 Regulated cotton dust
emissions

Measure and Track Air Emissions
A facility needs an inventory to track and manage air emissions and their sources. To prepare the inventory,
emissions from all processes, ancillary activities and equipment should be included. Regular review should be
carried out to make sure the inventory is up-to-date. This inventory should include emissions sources regulated
by permit as well as those not currently regulated.

21 Any mechanical or chemical process that occurs after dying to affect the look, performance, or feel of the product.

32

The facility must identify all air emission sources, both in the manufacturing process and for non-manufacturing
areas and processes (e.g. canteens, dormitories, company-owned vehicles). Typical discharge points for air
emissions are:






Stacks and chimneys;
Open tanks;
Transport vehicles;
Handling and moving dusty materials; andSolvent applications.

The following elements are suggested to be included in the inventory:








The pollutants known or likely to be present;
The quantity of each pollutant emitted;
Records (test records or estimations) detailing how the quantity of emissions reported were calculated;
Emissions/discharge points;
Any control devices;
Frequency of monitoring; andCompliance with legal regulations.

The ‘How to Higg Guide’ provides additional guidance on how to measure and estimate quantity of air pollutants
emitted if not direct measurement is available. For more information, please refer to the guidance for Question 2“Select all sources of air emissions that result from production processes” in the Air Emissions section:
https://apparelcoalition.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002449451-Air-Emissions.
Sumerra developed an Air Emissions Inventory that can be used as a template by factories. For more information:
https://www.sumerra.com/wp-content/uploads/Air-Emissions-Inventory.xlsx.
Additional Resources

Higg Index FEM How to Higg Guide;International Finance Corporation (IFC)’s Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines: Air Emissions andAmbient Air Quality;
ASHRAE Refrigerant Designations; andSumerra Air Emissions Inventory.

Aspirational Level of Performance
Implement Air Emissions Reduction Opportunities
Several opportunities exist to control and reduce air emissions, in particular on modernizing equipment, such as:Retrofitting existing machinery with newer technologies, for example upgrade refrigeration and/or air
conditioning systems so that they are compatible with more environmentally-friendly refrigerants withlower GWP;
Optimizing abatement equipment;
Purchasing new equipment with more advanced technologies, for example procurement of a new boiler
or generator which is powered by cleaner fuels; andInvesting in air emissions prevention and control technologies;

33

The International Finance Corporation (IFC)’s Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines: Air Emissions andAmbient Air Quality provides guidelines on good and best practices on air emissions, including monitoring,
controlling and reducing air emissions.

Contact Information
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact:
G-Star RAW C.V.
Attn.: Sustainability Department
Joan Muyskenweg 391114 AN Amsterdam
Postbus12177
1100 AD, Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 20 564 6861
E-mail: cr@g-star.com

34

Appendices
Appendix 1: Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS/CLP)

Source: United Nations.

35

Appendix 2: Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Outline#
1

Section
Identification

2

Hazard(s)identification
Composition /information on
ingredientsFirst-aid measures34
5Fire-fighting
measures6

Accidental releasemeasures
Handling andstorage
Exposurecontrols/Personal
protection
Physical andchemical properties
Stability andreactivity
Toxicologicalinformation

7
8

9
10
11

12
13
14
15
16

Ecologicalinformation
Disposalconsiderations
Transportation
information
Regulatory
information
Other information

Description
Product identifier, manufacturer or distributor name, address,
phone number, emergency phone number, recommended use,
and restrictions on use
All hazards regarding the chemical and required label elements.

StatusMandatory

Information on chemical ingredients and trade secret claims.

Required first aid treatment for exposure to a chemical and thesymptoms (immediate or delayed) of exposure
The techniques and equipment recommended for extinguishing afire involving the chemical and hazards that may be created during
combustion
Includes: emergency procedures, protective equipment andproper methods of containment and clean up
Precautions for safe handling and storage, including
incompatibilities
OSHA’s permissible exposure limits (PELs), threshold limit values(TLVs), appropriate engineering controls, and personal protective
equipment (PPE).
The chemical’s characteristics
Chemical stability and possible hazardous reactions
Routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or absorption contact),
symptoms, acute and chronic effects, and numerical measures of
toxicity
How the chemical might affect the environment and the durationof the effectDescribes safe handling of wastes and methods of disposal,
including the disposal of any contaminated packaging
Includes packing, marking, and labeling requirements forhazardous chemical shipments
Indicates regulations that apply to chemical

Optional

Includes date of preparation or last revision

Source: https://danielstraining.com/the-sixteen-16-sections-of-the-safety-data-sheet-sds/.

36

Appendix 3: ZDHC MRSL Conformance Levels, Verification and Registration
The ZDHC Programme chooses to assess ZDHC MRSL conformance of chemical products by relying on third-parties
who provide certification systems, based on input stream management concept and product evaluation that arerecognized and accepted by the ZDHC Programme as credible.
ZDHC MRSL conformance means that the chemical formulation does not contain any of the chemical substanceson the ZDHC MRSL above the ZDHC MRSL threshold commercial formulation limit values. ZDHC MRSL
conformance levels range from 0 to 3 as shown below. These levels provide a buyer of chemical products a levelof confidence indicating how any given chemical product conforms to the ZDHC MRSL. The higher theconformance level, the more extensive and thorough the review of the chemical formulation and its producer canbe guaranteed.
Chemical formulations with certifications from these suppliers are termed ZDHC MRSL conforming and will belisted in the ZDHC Chemical Gateway. While some of the certification systems may go beyond checking for ZDHCMRSL conformance, the ZDHC MRSL conformance process only refers to whether the chemical formulation meetsthe requirements of the ZDHC MRSL.
Not all chemical suppliers currently work with a third-party certification body. To account for this, the ZDHC MRSL
conformance process includes a process to assist chemical suppliers on their journey to demonstrating
conformance through third-party certifications. They can register their company and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
for the product on the ZDHC Chemical Gateway.

Source: ZDHC Foundation.

37

Appendix 4: ZDHC Chemical Management System (CMS) Framework
Section
1. Commitment
to CMS
2. Assessment,planning andPrioritisation

3. Chemical
management

4. Monitor

5.
Management
review

Step
1.1 Develop Management Policy Statement
1.2 Define scope of CMS
2.1. Systematically identify and document chemicals used and stored in yourorganisation, including: facility plan, chemical material flow diagrams andcomprehensive chemical inventory
2.2. Conduct regulatory assessment to: i) monitor regulations and legal permit
requirements, and ii) verify compliance2.3. Refine procurement / supplier practices, including: i) developing a
Chemical Purchasing Policy, ii) identifying chemical suppliers, and iii)
establishing a Standard Operating Procedure to approve / remove suppliers
2.4. Perform chemical risk assessment by defining processes to: i) establish,
document and implement chemical hazard risk assessment, ii) reduce
environmental impacts, and iii) reduce Health and Safety impacts
2.5. Flag and manage chemicals and processes of concern by: i) identifying gaps
and losses in current processes, and ii) verifying compliance with RSL and MRSL
2.6. Set performance goals and action plans, such as MRSL compliant
formulations
3.1. Define organization structure, including: i) roles and responsibilities, and ii)
communications on CMS
3.2. Provide training to employees on: i) management processes, ii)
regulations, iii) work practices, and iv) ZDHC MRSL and tools
3.3. Draft CMS Manual that references related documentation, procedures andrecords, and update as needed
3.4. Define procedure to control documents and records
3.5 Establish chemical management work practices, such as: i) exposure control
measures, ii) safety data sheet management, iii) chemical handling, iv) chemicalstorage, v) chemical transportation, vi) chemical labelling, vii) chemical use, viii)
personal protective equipment, ix) laboratory practices, x) maintenance andhousekeeping, and xi) waste and disposal
3.6. Develop emergency procedures and emergency response plan
4.1. Monitor and measure continuous improvements in goal progress,
regulatory compliance, operating conditions and customer satisfaction
4.2. Conduct internal audits periodically
4.3. Conduct external audits periodically
4.4. Define change management process and implement corrective action
5.1 Disclose substances in use
5.2. Engage stakeholders (e.g. local public officials, environmental stewardship
organizations) for review and feedback
5.3. Engage Senior Management to determine the suitability and effectivenessof the CMS, review progress towards the goals set, and to obtain feedback on
how to improve the CMS

Level22
Foundational
Foundational
Foundational- Progressive
Foundational
Foundational

Foundational

Foundational
Foundational- Aspirational
Foundational
Foundational
Foundational
Foundational
Foundational

Foundational
Foundational- Progressive
Foundational
Foundational
Foundational
Foundational
Foundational- Progressive
Foundational

Source: ZDHC CMS Guidance Manual.
22 ZDHC defined three levels that reflect different degrees of chemical management maturity and organizational skills: i) foundational (i.e.

beginner); ii) progressive (i.e. started but room to grow); and iii) aspirational (i.e. advanced).

38

Appendix 5: ZDHC Wastewater Testing Sampling Points
Sampling points for facility with own wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and direct discharge

Sampling points for facility with indirect discharge; WWTP is managed by third-party, or, optionally, company
has pre-treatment (e.g. equalization, buffering) onsite

Source: ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines.
39

Appendix 6: Overview of GHG Emissions

Source: GHG Protocol Corporate Standard.

40