Chemicals

Being responsible about chemicals

In the textile industry, chemicals are used to process raw materials and added to finished products to give garments specific functional properties and to give properties for certain certification requirements. We work in several ways to ensure that we have the necessary insights regarding chemicals.​​​​​​​

The Fristads Restricted Substance List (RSL)

We need to have extensive knowledge about the kinds of chemicals our finished products contain and at which levels. These levels must of course comply with EU regulations. However, our requirements are often more stringent than the legal requirements. This is a result of our own ambition to reduce potentially harmful chemical substances in our garments, as well as an increased market demand for smart chemical management. We actively manage the use of chemical substances through our social and environmental compliance programme, as well as through a specific chemical compliance programme. As part of the programme all suppliers and factories involved in making our products must sign our  Restricted Substance List, RSL.

Our Restricted Substance List is updated twice a year based on the chemical guidance of our partner RISE, Sweden’s governmental research institute. Our RSL reflects the latest EU harmonised legislation which includes ​​​​​​​ REACH, POPs regulation, Biocide Regulation and Product Safety Regulation. We also ensure compliance with the SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) Candidate List.

92% of our garments are OEKO-TEX certified

Of our catalogue products, 92% are  OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified at garment level. That means every component in the garment is free from harmful chemicals and safe for human use in close contact with the skin. We strive to have all our products certified at garment level and work continuously to reach this goal. OEKO-TEX® standard 100 is a world-leading label for textile products tested for harmful substances. When our products are OEKO-TEX certified at garment level, every component in the garment, big or small, is guaranteed to meet the requirements of OEKO-TEX® standard 100 Product Class II.

92% of our garments are OEKO-TEX certified

Of our catalogue products, 92% are  OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified at garment level. That means every component in the garment is free from harmful chemicals and safe for human use in close contact with the skin. We strive to have all our products certified at garment level and work continuously to reach this goal. OEKO-TEX® standard 100 is a world-leading label for textile products tested for harmful substances. When our products are OEKO-TEX certified at garment level, every component in the garment, big or small, is guaranteed to meet the requirements of OEKO-TEX® standard 100 Product Class II.

Reducing the use of PFAS

We aim to minimise the use of PFAS-based pollutants in our garments. In 2021 we signed on to environmental organisation ChemSec's initiative the PFAS Movement. The movement aims to emphasise and educate about the harmful effects of PFAS substances, and fights to phase them out of production. ChemSec is an international non-profit organisation that works to phase out harmful chemicals in favor of safe alternatives. In their work, ChemSec wants to create a strong link between researchers, decision makers and companies in the fight against harmful chemicals. Through ChemSec's PFAS movement, companies commit to working to get hazardous fluorides phased out from the manufacturing chain and support that the harmful chemicals are banned from use.​​​​​​​

Reducing the use of PFAS

We aim to minimise the use of PFAS-based pollutants in our garments. In 2021 we signed on to environmental organisation ChemSec's initiative the PFAS Movement. The movement aims to emphasise and educate about the harmful effects of PFAS substances, and fights to phase them out of production. ChemSec is an international non-profit organisation that works to phase out harmful chemicals in favor of safe alternatives. In their work, ChemSec wants to create a strong link between researchers, decision makers and companies in the fight against harmful chemicals. Through ChemSec's PFAS movement, companies commit to working to get hazardous fluorides phased out from the manufacturing chain and support that the harmful chemicals are banned from use.​​​​​​​

Chemical compliance programme

Together with our partner SGS, we run a Chemical Compliance programme that educates our suppliers about chemical management practices. We also continuously test the materials and products at our partner factories.

The programme, launched in 2016, is our way of taking responsibility for creating awareness among our suppliers and helping to educate them in the area of chemical management practices, so as to increase transparency in their own supply chain. The testing of core range raw materials and finished goods is conducted continuously, and test results are reviewed.

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Materials

We carefully choose the materials and fabrics for our workwear based on the performance, durability and environmental impact of the finished garment.

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Company certificates

At Fristads we are proud of our certificates and invite you to see the proof that our range of workwear is certified as safe and meets the strict demands in the industry.​​​​​​​

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Environmental Declaration

The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a tool that guides customers, buyers and those responsible for public procurement to making more insightful decisions.

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