The North Face

Supplier Policy: VF Corporation Global Wastewater Discharge Standards

VF Forest Derived Materials

Supplier contract

Group website

VF Traceability Maps

VF Corporation Sustainability Report 2018

VF Factory list 2019

VF Restricted Substance List 2019

VF Corporation
Animal Derived Materials (ADM) Policy

Brand website

Reduction of production waste

Recycled materials that repurpose waste

Reduction of unsold goods

Recovery of unsold goods

Limited collection frequency

Repair service

Warranty service

Reduction of CO2 emissions

Use of air transport prohibited

Recycled materials reducing carbon impact

Use of renewable energy

Suppliers managing their energy consumption

Suppliers managing their water consumption

Use of sandblasting prohibited

Natural materials that limit water pollution

Organic materials that limit water pollution

Suppliers managing their water pollution

Use of renewable resources

Recycled materials that limit depletion of resources

Second-hand service

Rental service

Study of risks of deforestation

Study of risks of depletion of water reserves

By knowing its suppliers, the brand is able to control their practices and thus takes its responsibilities towards them.

Knowledge of suppliers

By working directly with its suppliers, i.e. without intermediaries, the brand has a transparent view of the working conditions in these factories.

Direct working relationships with suppliers

By committing to a minimum two-year contract with its suppliers, the brand gives them financial visibility and the ability to project themselves.

Long-term contracts with suppliers

Publication of list of suppliers

At all stages of the production chain, the working conditions are often very difficult for the workers. This is why it is important to control factories in order to verify their working conditions: forced labor, minimum age, measures against discrimination, workers’ safety. These controls, also called audits, can be carried out by external organizations or firms. They are thus a good guarantee that the minimum rights of workers are respected.

Audits of suppliers on labor-related criteria

Publication of audit results

Thanks to an anonymous alert and reporting system, workers can anonymously report problems in the factories.

Alert system at suppliers' worksites

Compliance with legal minimum wage for workers

By owning factories along its supply chain, the brand has a transparent view of and responsibility for the working conditions of the workers in these factories.

Ownership of factories

Study of labor-related risks

Publication of the restricted substances list

Use of alkylphenols prohibited

Use of perfluorocarbons prohibited

Use of phthalates prohibited

Use of chromium VI prohibited

Use of halogenated flame retardants prohibited

Use of exotic leather requiring animal slaughter

Use of fur is prohibited

Use of leather requiring animal slaughter

Use of exotic leather

Use of down requiring animal slaughter

Use of feathers requiring animal slaughter

Use of cashmere respecting animal welfare

Use of leather respecting animal welfare

Use of exotic leather respecting animal welfare

Use of down respecting animal welfare

Use of wool respecting animal welfare

Use of feathers respecting animal welfare

Toxicity tests on components

Toxicity tests on finished products

Throughout the entire supply chain, workers may be exposed to numerous chemical substances or be required to manipulate them. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the conditions of use of these substances are respected and that they do not present risks to workers.

Audits of suppliers on toxicity criteria

Publication of toxicity audit results

Tshirt and top

Sweater

Shoes

Coat and jacket

Trousers

Shorts

Accessory

Sewing

Spinning

Raw material

Finishing

Weaving-Knitting

The raw material production stage is the stage during which the fibers are produced, either by growing plants: natural plant fibers and artificial fibres, or by breeding: natural animal fibres, or by chemical processes: synthetics.

The spinning stage is the stage during which the raw material is transformed into yarn.

The weaving-knitting stage is the stage during which the yarn is transformed into fabric. There are two types of fabrics: - the fabric which consists in assembling threads in a regular way, arranged in two series, by crossing them perpendicularly (ex: jeans) - the knitting which consists in making loops with the thread (ex: sweater)

The finishing step is the step during which the yarns are dyed. This step also allows to "print" patterns on the fabric.

The sewing stage is the stage during which the fabric is cut and then assembled to give birth to the final garment.

Waste

Climate change

Water

Fossil resources

In addition

Relationships with partners

Risk management

Consideration of workers' living conditions

Checks and controls on the garment

Substances used

Controversial market

No animal slaughter

Limitation of suffering

Frequent new releases of fashion collections promote over-consumption and over-production. This leads to more textile waste each year.

Frequency of collections

The brand distributes between 2 and 6 collections per year.

Unsold goods are a source of textile waste. Each year, between 10,000 and 20,000 tons of textile products are destroyed in France (the equivalent of one to two Eiffel Towers). Since January, 1st 2022, the french anti-waste bill obliges the textile companies to limit the disposal of textile products as much as possible.

Production off-cuts result from cutting different pattern pieces from fabric, which generates a large amount of textile waste. Indeed, 20 to 30% of fabric is lost during the cutting process. To limit the quantity of cutting waste, it is possible to optimize cutting techniques or to repurpose production off-cuts.

Use of recycled materials reduces waste and disposal of textile off-cuts. Recycled materials come from different sources of waste (fabric scraps, used garments, plastic bottles, residual fibers...) and enable recovery of discarded or unused materials.

An unknown percentage of the brand's garments is produced from recycled materials.

During the sewing process, fabric is cut and assembled into the final garment, a process that uses little water.

The brand only works with sewing suppliers who are committed to responsible water consumption.

During the finishing process, the fabric is treated chemically or mechanically to give it its characteristics: color, motifs, etc. This process consumes a lot of water; it is responsible for 27% of freshwater consumption in the textile industry. A large majority of finishing processes require the use of freshwater.

The brand works with finishing suppliers, some of whom have a policy of responsible water consumption.

During the weaving or knitting process, the yarn is processed into fabric, which requires little water.

Weaving/knitting

The brand works with weaving and knitting suppliers, some of whom have a policy of responsible water consumption.

During the spinning process, the raw material is transformed into yarn, a process that consumes a lot of water. It is responsible for 21% of freshwater consumption in the textile industry. Some spinning processes are called "wet", meaning that they require the use of large quantities of water.

The brand works with spinning suppliers, some of whom have a policy of responsible water consumption.

The production of raw materials consumes a lot of water. It is responsible for 31% of freshwater consumption in the textile industry, in particular in the cultivation of cotton, which is very water-intensive.

Raw materials

The technique of manual or mechanical sandblasting is very water-intensive. During the sandblasting process, sand is projected at high pressure using forced air guns.

The brand does not use denim. Consequently, it does not use the technique of manual or mechanical sandblasting.

With each wash, synthetic materials release microparticles of plastic that end up in the ocean. This represents 500,000 tons of microparticles released into the oceans each year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles.

An unknown percentage of the brand's garments is produced solely from natural materials.

Natural materials, especially cotton, require a lot of fertilizers and pesticides. When used in excess, these chemicals leach into the water table and waterways, causing algae blooms and harming other aquatic life. Organic agriculture is a production method employing cultivation and breeding practices that respect the balance of natural habitats. It prohibits use of synthetic chemicals and GMOs and limits the use of agricultural inputs.

An unknown percentage of the brand's garments is produced from organically grown materials.

During sewing, the fabric is cut and assembled to create the final garment, a process that causes little water pollution.

The brand only works with sewing suppliers who are committed to reducing water pollution generated by their activity.

During the finishing process, the fabric is treated chemically or mechanically to give it its characteristics: color, motifs, etc. This stage involves many processes and a large quantity of chemicals. These substances are found in factory wastewater. The substances used in the previous stages are also found in the wastewater and must be eliminated before any treatment.

The brand only works with finishing suppliers who are committed to reducing water pollution generated by their activity.

During this process, the yarn is transformed into fabric, and yarns are often coated with chemicals to facilitate the transition from yarn to fabric. These chemicals can then end up in the wastewater of finishing plants.

The brand only works with weaving and knitting suppliers who are committed to reducing water pollution generated by their activity.

During the spinning process, the raw material is transformed into yarn. Use of mineral oils is necessary for winding the yarn onto spools. These oils can contain traces of products that are very harmful to health and the environment. Residues of these oils can end up in the wastewater of finishing plants.

The brand only works with spinning suppliers who are committed to reducing water pollution generated by their activity.

The manufacturing processes of synthetic and artificial materials require a large amount of chemical solvents. The cultivation of natural fibers, especially cotton, also requires use of large quantities of fertilizers and pesticides, all of which contribute to the pollution of groundwater and waterways.

Every year the textile industry emits 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases, which is about 2% of global emissions. It is therefore important for brands to take action to reduce their emissions.

CO2 emissions

The brand has implemented a policy to reduce its carbon emissions.

Air transport is the most polluting mode of transport in terms of CO2 emissions per weight transported. According to the French Ministry of the Environment, a cargo ship emits between 10 and 32.5g of CO2/ton/kilometer vs. 2200g for an airplane.

The brand does not prohibit air transportation of its products.

The carbon impact of recycled materials is lower than that of virgin materials. Recycled materials come from different sources of waste (fabric scraps, used clothing, plastic bottles, residual fibers...) and therefore limit the production of virgin materials with a high carbon impact. This high carbon impact is the result of agricultural and breeding methods that use large surfaces of land and significant quantities of water, as well as massive use of chemical products and/or petroleum oil for the production of artificial and synthetic fibers.

Renewable energies are inexhaustible energies. They contribute to the fight against the greenhouse effect and CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

%% of renewable energy is used by the brand to power its offices, warehouses and stores.

During the sewing process, fabric is cut and assembled to create the final garment, which requires little energy compared to the other stages.

The brand only works with sewing suppliers who are committed to reducing their energy consumption.

During the finishing process, fabric is treated chemically or mechanically to give it its characteristics: color, motif, etc. This process requires significant electricity and especially heat. Most of the energy required is produced by non-renewable sources (coal, gas...).

The brand works with finishing suppliers, some of whom have a policy of reducing their energy consumption.

Transformation of yarn into fabric requires significant energy. This energy is mostly produced by non-renewable sources (coal, gas...).

The brand works with weaving and knitting suppliers, some of whom have a policy of reducing their energy consumption.

During the spinning process, the raw material is transformed into yarn, which requires significant energy. Most of the energy required is produced by non-renewable sources (coal, gas...).

The production of raw materials usually requires a large amount of energy and heat, especially for synthetic fibers.

70% of fibers produced in the world are synthetic, so derived from petroleum oil, a limited fossil resource. By opting for natural materials, the brand limits use of this resource.

An unknown percentage of the brand's garments is produced solely from natural materials; the rest of the garments contain at least one synthetic material.

The use of recycled materials reduces the production of virgin materials. Recycled materials come from different sources of waste such as fabric scraps, used clothing, plastic bottles, residual fibers, etc. These materials, already produced and repurposed, limit use of the Earth's fossil resources like petroleum oil.

A garment guarantee proves that a brand has confidence in the quality of its products. This is a key factor in increasing the life span of products and thus reducing textile waste.

The brand offers a warranty service on all its products.

Repairing garments enables consumers to wear them longer and thus limits production of textile waste.

As part of a sustainable approach to consumption, the second-hand market promotes the circular economy and reduces textile waste.

Renting garments extends their life span and reduces textile waste.

The production of raw materials presents risks of deforestation. Agriculture and animal breeding require large areas of land. This is why it is important for brands to be aware of where materials are sourced and to implement measures to avoid these risks.

Study of deforestation risk

The brand has conducted a study of the risks of deforestation related to the supply of its raw materials.

The production of raw materials presents risks of depletion of water reserves. Agriculture and animal breeding require large quantities of water. This is why it is important for brands to be aware of where materials are sourced and to implement measures to avoid these risks.

Study of water reserve depletion risk

The brand has conducted a study of the risks of depletion of water reserves linked to the supply of its raw materials.

The sewing process requires the work of many people. Machines do not replace human precision and experienced craftsmanship.

Brand audit:
     %% of the brand's sewing suppliers are audited on labor-related criteria by an internal brand team.

During the finishing process, workers may be exposed to large quantities of chemicals.

Brand audit:
     An unknown percentage of the brand's finishing suppliers is  audited on labor-related criteria by an internal brand team.

External audit:
     An unknown percentage of the brand's weaving and knitting suppliers is audited on labor-related criteria by an external organization.

External audit:
     An unknown percentage of the brand's spinning suppliers is audited on labor-related criteria by an external organization.

The cultivation of cotton poses many labor-related problems, such as forced labor and low wages.

Brand audit:
     %% of the brand's raw material suppliers are audited on labor-related criteria by an internal team.

At the end of the audits, the team responsible for conducting them completes a report to present the results and its observations. Publication of these results is a guarantee of transparency for the brand.

The brand publishes some of the results of labor-related audits conducted at its suppliers.

The brand has implemented an alert system with some of its sewing suppliers.

%% of sewing suppliers are known to the brand.

An unknown percentage of finishing suppliers is known to the brand.

An unknown percentage of weaving and knitting suppliers is known to the brand.

An unknown percentage of spinning suppliers is known to the brand.

An unknown percentage of the raw material suppliers is known to the brand.

Accessories

An unknown percentage of accessory suppliers is known to the brand. Accessories are all non-textile objects used in the production of garments. For example: zippers, buttons, rivets, snaps, fly closures...

By publishing the list of its suppliers, the brand demonstrates transparency to its consumers. This is also proof of its knowledge of its production chain.

The brand publishes the list of some of its suppliers.

During the sandblasting process, sand is blasted at high pressure with forced-air guns. Workers who perform this process are exposed to silica dust that enters their bodies through their ears, noses and mouths. They can develop a disease called silicosis (an incurable lung disease) that can develop into cancer.

The brand owns an unknown percentage of sewing factories.

The production of raw materials presents many labor-related risks, especially in the cultivation of cotton, where forced or child labor is common. This is why it is important for brands to know where their products are sourced and to implement measures to prevent these risks.

The brand has conducted a study of the labor-related risks associated with the sourcing of its raw materials.

Substance testing checks the quantity of chemical substances present on the textile. This can be conducted during production; during the individual stages of production; after production; on the finished product; or during the transport and storage stages.

The brand conducts substance tests on its garments during production.

By publishing the restricted substances list, the brand informs the consumer about substances that can be found in their garments. This is a guarantee of transparency.

Publication of list of restricted substances

The brand publishes the list of restricted substances in its production chain.

Alkylphenols are chemicals used in the textile industry for cleaning and dyeing. Studies have shown the toxicological potential of alkylphenols mainly as endocrine disruptors in animals as well as humans.

The brand prohibits the use of alkylphenols in its production line.

Perfluorinated compounds are used to make a textile stain- or water-repellent. Studies have shown that they affect the liver and act as endocrine disruptors, altering growth levels and sex hormones.

The brand does not prohibit the use of perfluorinated compounds in its production line.

Phthalates are chemical substances used in the textile industry to produced a relief effect. Studies have shown that the toxicity of phthalates is of great concern because they can interfere with the development of the testicles at an early age. The phthalates DEHP and DBP are classified as “toxic for reproduction” in Europe.

The brand prohibits the use of phthalates in its production line.

Non-participating brand

Environment

Waste

Reduction of production waste

Recycled materials that repurpose waste

Reduction of unsold goods

Recovery of unsold goods

Limited collection frequency

Repair service

Warranty service

Climate change

Reduction of CO2 emissions

Use of air transport prohibited

Recycled materials reducing carbon impact

Use of renewable energy

Suppliers managing their energy consumption

Water

Suppliers managing their water consumption

Use of sandblasting prohibited

Natural materials that limit water pollution

Organic materials that limit water pollution

Suppliers managing their water pollution

Fossil resources

Use of renewable resources

Recycled materials that limit depletion of resources

In addition

Second-hand service

Rental service

Study of risks of deforestation

Study of risks of depletion of water reserves

Human

Relationships with partners

Knowledge of suppliers

Direct working relationships with suppliers

Long-term contracts with suppliers

Publication of list of suppliers

Risk management

Audits of suppliers on labor-related criteria

Publication of audit results

Alert system at suppliers' worksites

Consideration of workers' living conditions

Compliance with legal minimum wage for workers

Use of sandblasting prohibited

In addition

Ownership of factories

Study of labor-related risks

Health

Checks and controls on the garment

Toxicity tests on components

Toxicity tests on finished products

Audits of suppliers on toxicity criteria

Publication of toxicity audit results

Substances used

Publication of the restricted substances list

Use of alkylphenols prohibited

Use of perfluorocarbons prohibited

Use of phthalates prohibited

Use of chromium VI prohibited

Use of halogenated flame retardants prohibited

Animal

Controversial market

Use of exotic leather requiring animal slaughter

Use of fur is prohibited

No animal slaughter

Use of leather requiring animal slaughter

Use of exotic leather

Use of down requiring animal slaughter

Use of feathers requiring animal slaughter

Limitation of suffering

Use of cashmere respecting animal welfare

Use of leather respecting animal welfare

Use of exotic leather respecting animal welfare

Use of down respecting animal welfare

Use of wool respecting animal welfare

Use of feathers respecting animal welfare

Production sites

Raw material

Spinning

Weaving-Knitting

Finishing