Sustainability
Xandres is investing in a better future, where quality and reduced impact on people and the environment go hand in hand. We are developing a six-pillar plan to make our entire production process with sustainability in mind, from yarns and fabrics to the garment in your wardrobe, now and for a long time after your purchase.
Sustainability
Xandres is investing in a better future, where quality and reduced impact on people and the environment go hand in hand. We are developing a six-pillar plan to make our entire production process with sustainability in mind, from yarns and fabrics to the garment in your wardrobe, now and for a long time after your purchase.
1
MATERIALS
1
MATERIALS
GOAL
We aim to use materials that have a lower impact on people and the environment as much as possible
GOAL
We aim to use materials that have a lower impact on people and the environment as much as possible
What we do now
WE SOURCE FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS
When it comes to directly sourced materials, we consciously buy our fabrics and materials from a limited number of suppliers in a limited number of countries, such as Italy, Bulgaria, China, Portugal and Japan. In this way, we try to retain control of the chain.
OUR PARTNERS SIGN OUR CODE OF CONDUCT
All our partners signed our Code of Conduct to guarantee good working conditions. The full Code of Conduct is available via this link and takes into account specific principles for socially responsible supply chains like ‘no forced labour’, ‘no child labour’, ‘no discrimination’, ‘wages are paid’ and ‘safe and hygienic working conditions’.
WE INVEST IN LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS
In our aim to work with reliable partners, we not only want to focus on auditing and certification, but we also believe in strong long-term relationships. Those relationships enable us to work together respectfully, start conversations and look for a more sustainable way of working together. In volume (meters of fabric bought), our > 5-year fabric suppliers represent more than 90%:
WE CHOOSE QUALITY
We choose quality and follow the European directives (REACH) that stipulate that substances must not contain harmful chemicals. We also go a step further in avoiding harmful chemicals by requesting Oeko-Tex certificates from our suppliers. Currently, 41% of our suppliers have the Oeko-Tex certificate.
WE HAVE AN ANIMAL WELFARE POLICY IN PLACE
As defined in our Supplier Framework, we have an animal welfare policy in place which forbids the use of fur, Angora or hides/leathers from exotic animals.
What we do now
WE SOURCE FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS
When it comes to directly sourced materials, we consciously buy our fabrics and materials from a limited number of suppliers in a limited number of countries, such as Italy, Bulgaria, China, Portugal and Japan. In this way, we try to retain control of the chain.
OUR PARTNERS SIGN OUR CODE OF CONDUCT
All our partners signed our Code of Conduct to guarantee good working conditions. The full Code of Conduct is available via this link and takes into account specific principles for socially responsible supply chains like ‘no forced labour’, ‘no child labour’, ‘no discrimination’, ‘wages are paid’ and ‘safe and hygienic working conditions’.
WE INVEST IN LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS
In our aim to work with reliable partners, we not only want to focus on auditing and certification, but we also believe in strong long-term relationships. Those relationships enable us to work together respectfully, start conversations and look for a more sustainable way of working together. In volume (meters of fabric bought), our > 5-year fabric suppliers represent more than 90%:
WE CHOOSE QUALITY
We choose quality and follow the European directives (REACH) that stipulate that substances must not contain harmful chemicals. We also go a step further in avoiding harmful chemicals by requesting Oeko-Tex certificates from our suppliers. Currently, 41% of our suppliers have the Oeko-Tex certificate.
WE HAVE AN ANIMAL WELFARE POLICY IN PLACE
As defined in our Supplier Framework, we have an animal welfare policy in place which forbids the use of fur, Angora or hides/leathers from exotic animals.
QUALITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEY TO US. IT IS AT THE HEART OF OUR COMPANY AND PROCUREMENT PROCESS. EACH FABRIC WE SELECT HAS TO LIVE UP TO OUR STANDARDS. WE HAVE AN EXPERIENCED TEAM TO MAKE SURE THE RIGHT QUALITY LEVELS ARE MET. IN THE FUTURE, WE WANT TO MAKE THIS MORE MEASURABLE, ENABLING US TO REPORT ON IT CLEARLY AS WELL.
- Katrien Kennis, Sourcing, Buying and Production Director
QUALITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEY TO US. IT IS AT THE HEART OF OUR COMPANY AND PROCUREMENT PROCESS. EACH FABRIC WE SELECT HAS TO LIVE UP TO OUR STANDARDS. WE HAVE AN EXPERIENCED TEAM TO MAKE SURE THE RIGHT QUALITY LEVELS ARE MET. IN THE FUTURE, WE WANT TO MAKE THIS MORE MEASURABLE, ENABLING US TO REPORT ON IT CLEARLY AS WELL.
- Katrien Kennis, Sourcing, Buying and Production Director
What we'll do
in the future
WWe aim to increase the number of ‘audited factories’ and will simultaneously continue investing in long-term relationships and define clear targets to rise our > 5 years suppliers.
We want to increase the number of partners with Oeko-Tex certification.
By 2023, 100% of our suppliers must have signed our Code of Conduct.
We want to use more recycled and certified materials every year. Our materials can be found in our "Material Matrix." and include recycled materials (GRS certified) and organic fabrics (e.g., GOTS, Organic 100 standard, or Fairtrade certified). The list includes fabrics such as Tencel, Refibra, Ecovero, Econyl or wool with the Responsible Wool or Responsible Mohair certificate.
What we'll do
in the future
We aim to increase the number of ‘audited factories’ and will simultaneously continue investing in long-term relationships and define clear targets to rise our > 5 years suppliers.
We want to increase the number of partners with Oeko-Tex certification.
By 2023, 100% of our suppliers must have signed our Code of Conduct.
We want to use more recycled and certified materials every year. Our materials can be found in our "Material Matrix." and include recycled materials (GRS certified) and organic fabrics (e.g., GOTS, Organic 100 standard, or Fairtrade certified). The list includes fabrics such as Tencel, Refibra, Ecovero, Econyl or wool with the Responsible Wool or Responsible Mohair certificate.
DISCOVER OUR FRAMEWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
We developed a “framework for lower-impact procurement” in 2021. The framework is aimed at increasing the use of lower-impact materials. These materials still impact humans, animals or the environment but have a lower impact than standard materials. The framework clearly defines these materials and considers social and environmental aspects at the product and supplier levels.
We also want to increase the number of ‘audited factories’. We track the number of factories audited by a certification body, and we track audits on social compliance and eco-friendliness of the production sites. Our preferred suppliers are either long term relationships located in Europe which we visit regularly, or new suppliers or suppliers in the Far East, for which we prefer to work with certification systems instead.
DISCOVER OUR FRAMEWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
We developed a “framework for lower-impact procurement” in 2021. The framework is aimed at increasing the use of lower-impact materials. These materials still impact humans, animals or the environment but have a lower impact than standard materials. The framework clearly defines these materials and considers social and environmental aspects at the product and supplier levels.
We also want to increase the number of ‘audited factories’. We track the number of factories audited by a certification body, and we track audits on social compliance and eco-friendliness of the production sites. Our preferred suppliers are either long term relationships located in Europe which we visit regularly, or new suppliers or suppliers in the Far East, for which we prefer to work with certification systems instead.
Want more numbers and details?
Read the full Xandres Sustainability Report
Want more numbers and details?
Read the full Xandres Sustainability Report