adidas Group, C&A, H&M, Li Ning, Nike and Puma Partner to Reach Zero Discharge by 2020

It is an ambitious plan, one that sets a new standard of environmental performance for the global apparel and footwear industry. The roadmap includes specific commitments and timelines to realize this shared goal. These commitments include:

• Jointly communicating the mission of zero discharge of hazardous chemicals to all suppliers beginning immediately
• Conducting pilot projects at major, vertically integrated and materials suppliers between 2011 and 2013 to better understand scope of use and discharge of hazardous chemicals
• Verifying that nine classes of hazardous or persistent chemicals are not currently used
• Initiating an inventory of all chemicals used in apparel manufacturing by the end of 2012
• Disclosing the results of all pilots and studies undertaken as part of this commitment
• Reporting regularly and publicly on our progress against this commitment (quarterly in 2012, annually from 2013 to 2020)

The joint roadmap is a living document: it will continue to be refined as we gain additional intelligence and insights through our initial pilots and research, as well as our collaboration with other brands and stakeholders. We commit to reviewing and updating the roadmap at least annually and making the results public.

In releasing the roadmap, we have asked SustainAbility to solicit feedback from a key group of stakeholders over the next six weeks. In addition, we are also accepting comments from the public through December 31, 2011. All comments can be directed to ztdi@sustainability.com. Based on the feedback, we will consider refining the roadmap in 2012.

Tackling and achieving the goal of zero discharge is a complex challenge – one that our brand collaboration cannot solve alone. Our vision is that the roadmap serves as a benchmark and that many more brands join us in our efforts. Ultimately, we want and need a broad array of participants to partner with us in this endeavor – chemical suppliers, academics, NGOs, textile experts, entrepreneurs, policy makers and others. We understand that we are setting out to change the way apparel and footwear is manufactured, globally, and are thus casting our net wide for the best ideas and solutions.

We have achieved our first milestone. On September 26 to 28, 2011 we met with over 30 brands, chemical companies and other experts in a workshop which forged this roadmap. Such engagements will continue as we develop and deliver against an industry standard for zero discharge of hazardous chemicals in the supply chain.

In publishing this roadmap, adidas Group, C&A, H&M, Nike, Li Ning and Puma call on others in the global apparel and footwear industry to join us in this vital undertaking, which has one aim: to safeguard the environment for future generations.

For media enquiries please contact:

adidas Group
Katja Schreiber
Katja.Schreiber@adidas-group.com
+49-9132-84-3810

C&A
Thorsten Rolfes
Thorsten.Rolfes@retail-sc.com

Hendrik Alpen
Hendrik.Alpen@hm.com
+46-8-5780-7230

LiNing
Christina Li
Wei3.Li@li-ning.com.cn
+86-10-8080-0738

NIKE, Inc.
Erin Dobson
Erin.Dobson@nike.com
+1-503-671-2682

Puma
Kerstin Neuber
Kerstin.Neuber@puma.com
+49-9132-81-2984