Respect for Everyone and Everything
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.
In order to live up to our responsibility, we have set ourselves goals regarding the use of certain animal materials. In this regard, we ensure animal welfare through robust certifications and standards. We no longer use any materials for which we cannot ensure any animal welfare criteria. These include angora, mohair, and real fur. Since 2013, we have officially been part of the international Fur Free Retailer program, which is represented in Germany by the animal welfare organization “Four Paws.”
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 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.”
Freedom from hunger, thirst, and malnutrition
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
Freedom from fear and suffering
Freedom to express normal and natural behavior
Since 2013, we have also been part of the international Fur Free Retailer program, which is represented in Germany by the animal welfare organization “Four Paws.”
Together for More 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.
