We use animal materials. As such, we are responsible to consider the welfare of animals and to maintain their diversity. In the textile industry, animal welfare is at particular risk in the farming of animals and the way in which animal fibers and materials are obtained.
We have defined exclusion criteria for certain animal-derived materials. These include angora, mohair, real fur, as well as exotic furs and materials from threatened or endangered species. Since 2013, we have been part of the international Fur Free Retailer program, which is represented in Germany by Vier Pfoten. The animal-derived materials we use are subject to defined animal welfare requirements and recognised standards.
Furthermore, we do not use any exotic leather or materials that come from endangered animal species. In addition, we have defined general guidelines that apply for all animal materials.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines for Animal Welfare: Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare
Our animal welfare policy sets down clear principles and standards for all our products in which animal materials are used. The policy is a fixed part of our supplier contracts, making it legally binding. For instance, the policy guidelines prohibit the use of feathers and down from live plucking and from geese raised for force-fattening. Down and leather may only be used when obtained as a by-product from meat production. Similarly, no wool is to be used from sheep that have undergone mulesing, whereby a strip of skin is removed from the sheep to prevent fly infestation.
The cornerstone of our efforts and policies is formed by the “Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare.”
We believe that transparency and verifiable controls are key success factors for making animal welfare in our supply chain and the entire industry as effective as possible and for further improving it. We want to actively initiate progress and are in dialogue with other companies, industry associations, trade associations, standard organizations and animal welfare experts. We see promising approaches, for example, in raising awareness of this issue among procurement actors - from producers to retailers - and increasing the availability of animal welfare-certified materials.
