Textile supply chain meets at the first bluesign® conference

St.Gallen, Switzerland – Under the theme of “Gain Trust – Take

Responsibility” bluesign technologies ag organized on July 14 and 15 its

first conference for system partners of the bluesign® standard. Over 100

participants from all areas of the textile supply chain met in St.Gallen to

exchange their ideas regarding sustainability in textile manufacturing

and marketing. In a resolution based on the UN Decade of Education for

Sustainable Development they committed themselves to voluntarily

realise an activity of “environment” or “sustainable consumption” at a

local school and are hence taking responsibility beyond their day-to-day

business.

During the two-day conference current trends were discussed that will spark a

change of mindset in end consumers. For instance, in the future not additional

benefits will be important, but rather the actual benefit becomes the centre of

attention. Thus also the sustainable production of goods, including textiles, will

gain importance. Various brands and retailers showed how important trust in a

brand is, particularly regarding environmental protection and consumer safety.

The chemical industry presented “Best Available Technology” (BAT) in textile

finishing and how it cannot only improve the performance, but also minimize the

environmental impact and reduce costs. During the following outdoor event the

participants were able to experience trust first-hand and engage in networking.

On the second day textile manufacturers shared their experiences with the

bluesign® standard and their actual improvements regarding sustainability.

bluesign technologies ag went on to present the revised bluesign® bluefinder

(advanced search tool for chemical products) and introduced the new bluesign®

blueguide (advanced database to sustainable textiles and EHS know-how) to the

bluesign® system partners. A tour around EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for

Materials Testing and Research), where current projects in textile science were

presented, marked the end of the conference.

In one point all participants agreed: the setting of the conference was unique

because representatives from the entire textile supply chain can meet at the same

time in one place.

Background information on the bluesign® standard

The declared objective of the independent bluesign® standard is to put a reliable

and proactive tool at the disposal of the entire textile production chain – from raw

material and component suppliers who manufacture e.g. yarns, dyes and

additives, to textile manufacturers, to retailer and brand companies, to

consumers.

Production processes that are designed around maximum resource productivity

with a view to environmental protection, health and safety, represent an

assurance for manufacturers and retailers that today’s quality criteria are fulfilled

in the best possible way and that applicable regulations and limits are complied

with. The basic idea, right from the beginning, was to tackle the problem at its

roots and to exclude substances, which are potentially hazardous to the human

health or the environment, from processes at the outset via an intelligent Input

Stream Management system. An independent standard was created that can be

applied to the entire production chain and that delivers certainty at all levels, from

raw material to final product, from chemical supplier to consumer. This in turn

means measurable economic success for industry and trade while at the same

time offering maximum consumer und environmental protection. The bluesign®

standard is leading the way to a successful and healthy textile future. Worldwide.

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, Mahlo and Benninger. Several well-known brands of the sporting

goods and fashion industry such as Patagonia, MEC, The North Face, Vaude, Helly

Hansen, Haglöfs, Eileen Fisher, REI, Deuter or Edelrid benefit as bluesign®

members and finally Zimtstern, Boardroom/Ecoapparel, Gloriette or ComforTrust

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.

Christine Waeber

Public Relations

Phone: +41 (0)71 272 29 90

Fax: +41 (0)71 272 29 99

info@bluesign.com

www.bluesign.com