With our Detox Program, we are dedicated to implement transparency in the textile supply chain, promote the use of non-hazardous chemicals in textiles production and significantly reduce the release of hazardous substances into the water.
With our Detox Program, we are dedicated to implement transparency in the textile supply chain, promote the use of non-hazardous chemicals in textiles production and significantly reduce the release of hazardous substances into the water.
Through training events and information material, we support our suppliers to more easily detect and monitor the chemicals used and subsequently substitute the hazardous chemicals. Continuous water and product tests ensure that the implemented measures are effective.
An introduction to our Detox Program you can find in our information brochure.
In our annual status reports you can find an overview of our Detox related activities and projects:
Chemical usage and its consequences
Why are chemicals used during textile production and what are the consequences? The use of harmful substances and chemicals in the production of textiles is attracting more attention from consumers. Although these chemicals cannot be detected in the final product, they often have a damaging impact on the environment in producing countries. At different points in the textile production chain, the use of chemicals is necessary. Chemicals are used to bleach raw cotton and in dyeing or printing processes. To make materials water resistant or more durable, they are treated with chemicals. Today, hazardous chemicals are often used in these processes. They are harmful to the workers who are exposed to these chemicals and often not provided with personal protective equipment. Chemicals leak into rivers and groundwater through mostly untreated wastewater. The consequences for the environment and also for the quality of the drinking water are dire.
Supplier support during the substitution process
Our suppliers and the wet process factories are our most important partners on the path toward the safer production of textiles. We developed a number of information documents to support our suppliers in the process of substitution.
Our suppliers and the wet process factories are our most important partners on the path toward the safer production of textiles. We developed a number of information documents to support our suppliers in the process of substitution, which you can find here.
Supplier Tool Kit
In order to explain our Detox Program to our suppliers we have developed a manual. The Detox Supplier Tool Kit includes a general overview of the Detox Program, describes the process to become a Detox compliant supplier and clarifies all corresponding requirements for our suppliers.
Waste Water and Sludge Test Guidance
Waste water and sludge testing play an important role for the continuous monitoring. That is why waste water and sludge tests have to be updated regularly. Information on how to read and interpret the results of water and sludge test can be found in our information brochure Detox Program Waste Water and Sludge Testing.
Case Studies on substitution of hazardous chemicals
REWE Group has set up pilot projects with wet process factories from different suppliers and with various service providers to learn more about ways to phase out unwanted substances from the textile supply chain. The case studies on pilot project can be found here:
Case Study: Pilot project with a garment manufacturer in Bangladesh
Case Study: STeP certification by OEKO-TEX
Case Study: Optimizing bleaching processes to achieve higher efficiency and Detox conformity
Case Study: Improving chemical management to ensure Detox compliance in a Chinese dyeing mill
Chemical Fact Sheets
To give our supply chain partners additional insights and background information on the different chemical groups, we are developing chemical fact sheets for each chemical group. The fact sheets will provide information on potential risks and their environmental impacts. They also offer advice on how to find compliant and safer substances.
Factsheet APEO
Factsheet PFC
Factsheet Flame Retardants
Factsheet Chlorophenols
Factsheet SCCPs
Factsheet Heavy Metals and Metalloids
Factsheet Phthalates
Factsheet Organotin Compounds
Factsheet Amines
Factsheet Chlorinated Solvents and VOC
Factsheet Chlorobenzenes
Discharge Data Reports
Our Discharge Data Reports are supposed to make our status quo more transparent, show what kinds of chemicals have been found in the production facilities of our products and document the progress we make with regard to the elimination of hazardous chemicals.
Discharge Data Report 2016
Discharge Data Report 2015
Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL)
In line with our Detox commitment, we are continously updating our MRSL and the process of phasing out non-compliant substances from the textile production processes. The respective method for the MRSL update is described here. Our MRSL can be found here.
The REWE Group supports responsible handling of resources and sustainable consumption. For us, that means keeping an eye on the complete life cycle of our textiles and supporting closed loop systems. A description of our closed loop approach and an overview on the realized and planned measures can be found here.
It is important for us that our customers know where our products are made. Thus, we decided to publish a list of production facilities, which you can find here. The list contains the main production facilities, in which REWE Group own-brand apparel, home textiles and shoes are produced, as well as the locations of the wet process facilities. The list will be updated regularly.
