bluesign is an independent international accreditation system that aims to ensure that all fabrics bearing the bluesign label meet the highest standards of environmental impact, sustainability and health and safety. The sign has now been adopted by a number of manufacturers who produce ski wear.
An Integrated Approach
The bluesign standard is administered by bluesign Technologies AG of Switzerland and they pride themselves on taking a systematic approach. The whole supply chain, from raw materials, to manufacturing, through to distribution and retail is carefully checked before accreditation is awarded.
What Does the bluesign Label Mean?
The fabrics used in ski wear bearing the bluesign label will have been sourced from sustainable materials and the whole manufacturing process used will have demonstrated that any negative environmental impact is minimised. From the consumer’s point of view, the bluesign label assures him or her that any product with that label will have been manufactured by a clean, safe process and that any manufacturing process emissions affecting air or water will have been well-controlled.
The bluesign standard also ensures the highest possible standards of health and safety have been applied. This includes both the safety of the consumer and that of all people involved in the production and distribution process.
How Are Standards Maintained?
A product carrying the bluesign label provides the customer with the assurance that the textile mill which produced the fabric that went into it has been rigorously examined by independent auditors. The audit process involves checking the environmental and safety standards of all raw materials used, examining the manufacturing process, checking the sources of power used and also the arrangements for waste management.
Should anything in the process fall short of the standards expected, the auditors will make recommendations for improvement which the manufacturer must then follow.
The Future
bluesign certification has come about because of two major pressures: consumer eco-awareness and governmental pressure to enforce better environmental standards. These are both global trends and are likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Not all outdoor activity wear labels have yet adopted the bluesign standard, and some of those that have taken it up have not yet gone one hundred percent bluesign. However, given the twin drivers of consumer expectations and statutory regulation, it is likely that more and more manufacturers will come to realize bluesign certification is not only a good, responsible way to conduct business, but one which gives them a competitive edge too.
