Klättermusen becomes a new bluesign member

St.Gallen, Switzerland – bluesign technologies ag announces that Klättermusen AB is a new bluesign® member. As a bluesign® member, Klättermusen enters an exclusive circle of leading retailers and brand companies who decided to rely on the bluesign® standard in practically managing all environment, health and safety (EHS) issues in their supply chain.

Many retailers and brand companies have realized that besides price and performance of their products, aspects like consumer safety and sustainable production become more and more important. In order to gain the consumer’s long-term trust in their brand, brand companies are facing new challenges regarding environment, health and safety (EHS) issues. To reduce their environmental footprint, combined with maximum conservation of resources in production, will be critical factors for future economic success.

The bluesign® membership allows leading retailers and brand companies, who are strongly committed to sustainability and “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) to actively participate in the bluesign® standard. As a bluesign® member, Klättermusen can benefit from practical solutions regarding EHS issues including assistance in the implementation of manageable EHS guidelines as well as general supply chain management.

bluesign® membership for retailers and brand companies

The bluesign® membership is beneficial to retailers and brand companies in several ways. Compliance with high-level EHS criteria means a long-lasting investment in consumer trust and a positive image. Consumers expect the retailers and brand companies to responsibly manage EHS problems. Transparency in the supply chain and an intelligent input stream management, like the bluesign® standard offers, effectively solves these problems. Additionally bluesign® members can be supported ideally in EHS questions, always with the goal to provide solutions, e.g. with risk assessments or scientific background information regarding current EHS relevant topics.

To become a bluesign® member, a retailer or brand company must be strongly committed to sustainability and CSR. EHS principles including concrete goals are defined in their vision and mission, and they continuously work on their achievement. They follow an environmental policy, which is not primarily marketing-effectively used, but leads to concrete solutions and improvements. Part of this environmental strategy is to actively advance the implementation of the bluesign® standard in their supply chains. These progressive actions allow the retailer and brand companies to proactively strengthen their position on the market and to openly communicate their commitment to reduce their environmental footprint towards the consumer.

bluesign technologies ag

Switzerland

Background information on Klättermusen AB

Klättermusen-The technical outdoor company from Sweden was founded 1984 by Peter Askulv. The designwork have ever since, focused strongly on functionality, durability and sustainability. The awareness of making products with as little footprint on nature as possible as well as constructing them for tough outdoor activities is visible in the whole product range. Klättermusen have reduced toxical subjects in their materials, such as PTFE and fluorocarbons. They have an ECO index label on each product to help the customers make a conscious Environmental aware choice. Recover is another invention, a recycling programme where the customer gets a deposit back when returning old and worn out products. The use of 100% recycled and recyclable materials such as polyamide in Backpacks and bags and recycled polyester in apparel is also well in use. 1% of the turnover every year also goes to different environmental projects, but the strongest message of them all is to be found on page one in their costumer catalogue “Don´t buy a jacket unless you really have to!” actually encouraging customers to consume less. www.klattermusen.se

Background information on bluesign technologies ag

bluesign technologies ag was founded in 2000. Since then, the bluesign® standard has been adopted by different worldwide leading textile manufacturers. Various significant key players of the chemical and machine industry rely on the bluesign®standard and endorse it as bluesign® supporters, including Huntsman, Clariant, DyStar, CHT, Mahloand Benninger. Several well-known brands of the sporting goods and fashion industry such as Patagonia, MEC, The North Face, Vaude and Helly Hansen, Haglöfs, Eileen Fisher, REI or Deuter benefit as bluesign® members and finally Zimtstern, Boardroom/Ecoapparel, Gloriette, ComforTrust or Edelrid as bluesign® trademark users of the extensive know-how of bluesign technologies ag. In summer 2008 SGS has acquired a 50% stake in bluesign technologies ag.