Products. “Developing ideas for tomorrow”
As a leading international company in the premium and luxury segment of the apparel industry, it is a matter of course for HUGO BOSS to live up to its responsibility to consumers. For its collections, the Group uses only materials that meet high quality standards and makes every effort to ensure that its products do not pose a health risk.
Accordingly, HUGO BOSS obliges its suppliers to sign a guarantee of compliance with the Restricted Substances List (RSL). The RSL contains guidelines on adherence to relevant national legislation governing the use of chemicals and other harmful substances in products, as well as the Group’s internal guidelines, which are often more stringent than legal minimum standards. These requirements apply to all materials used and substances relevant to the production process. HUGO BOSS supports such preventive measures with active tests for hazardous products performed in accredited laboratories that ensure the safety and quality of the products. In addition, the Group launched a project in 2014 to make production processes even safer with new technologies and more environmentally friendly chemicals.
Likewise, HUGO BOSS attaches great importance to avoiding health hazards at the production companies. In this respect, the Group abstains from a procedure known as sandblasting. This procedure refers to the use of sand jets as a method of refining denim products to achieve a “used” look. Using quartz sand for this method without sufficient protective measures can lead to serious damage to employees’ health. The Group does not use any other sandblasting technology, nor does it employ any other blasting agents.
Animal welfare and protection of biodiversity are additional central principles of HUGO BOSS’ product responsibility. The Group respects this biodiversity and thereby supports nature conservation. Any animal testing, inhumane treatment of animals and inappropriate animal breeding and rearing methods are rejected. Fur products, which only account for a very small share of the overall collection, is mostly used for appliqués and trimmings on collars, hoods and sleeves.
As a result, the Group has decided, for example, to switch the sourcing of merino wool to give preference to sources which are able to prove that mulesing, which is a painful treatment for sheep, is not being applied. In 2014 it was decided no longer to use angora wool, which is in most cases obtained by procedures which are painful to the animals. The Group likewise strictly rejects the use of live-plucked down and is already using alternative materials.
In addition, HUGO BOSS has been in dialogue with several animal and consumer protection organizations for many years, to continuously improve in the area of animal welfare.