Chemical Management

Since 2015, Pattern has been engaged in a collaborative effort with its customers and suppliers to gradually eliminate chemicals deemed harmful to humans and the environment from its production processes, in accordance with leading international standards. To this end, Pattern, together with its customers, suppliers, and subcontractors, follows the protocol established by the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) Foundation, founded in 2011. The foundation aims to provide brands and all stakeholders in the textile, apparel, and footwear industries with a unified global standard for the responsible management of chemicals.
 

CHEMICAL DUE DILIGENCE

To minimize risks for end consumers regarding potential exposure to hazardous chemicals through the use of finished products, Pattern’s clients have organized systems to test the quality and chemical compliance of supplied materials in line with specific standards, such as PRSL (Product Restricted Substances List) and MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substances List). These standards are considered essential prerequisites for the sale of apparel.

In addition, Pattern conducts regular due diligence checks on selected items following a chemical risk assessment to ensure the compliance of purchased raw materials. This process involves specific pre-assessment criteria, including the volume or value of a supplier's activity, the supplier's rating, the type of material, and the processing undergone by the item. Based on these criteria, the appropriately trained Purchasing Office determines the number of tests to conduct and the substances to analyze. The fabrics are then sent to accredited laboratories for testing.

Pattern performs these due diligence evaluations each season, focusing primarily on raw materials, fabrics, and linings, which represent the highest chemical risks, particularly in wet processing activities carried out upstream in the supply chain. The supply chain due diligence process also aims to identify the causes of any product or process non-conformities and to develop corrective action plans to improve the chemical management system both internally and in collaboration with suppliers and subcontractors.

WATER RISK

In 2023, Pattern Group began disclosing data related to water risk, achieving a “D” score in the CDP Water Security report. This "Disclosure" level rating reflects the company's commitment to transparency regarding its water-related challenges, marking an essential first step toward robust water management practices.

Although this score is below the European regional average of “C” and the industry average of “C,” it highlights Pattern Group’s proactive approach to addressing water-related challenges. As one of the 10% of companies in its activity group to reach this level, Pattern Group is poised to build on this transparency, enhance its water governance, and strive for higher performance in future assessments.