Protecting customers, workers, and the environment is a core value of Simons. That is why we have established a chemical substance management policy to provide our customers with safe products. It is based on existing laws and regulations in Canada and the United States, and incorporates several of the recommendations of the Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management Group (AFIRM). Our policy is subject to an annual assessment since the regulations, recommendations, and research surrounding chemical substances are constantly evolving. It applies to all our partners involved in developing our exclusive products. This includes, among others, factories, spinning mills, dyeing plants, laundries, and tanneries.
Simons has also coordinated initiatives that promote the use of chemical-reducing treatments and processes in the development of its exclusive products. We strive to provide high-quality products while minimizing their impact on the environment and the health of both our workers and customers.
POLICY APPLICATION AND MANAGEMENT
All exclusive line suppliers must comply with our chemical substance management policy. This agreement establishes flammability performance requirements and limits regulated substances to levels restricted by Canadian and U.S. law or recommended by AFIRM.
Simons also applies a risk management system that complies with the best practices and annually selects a set of items tested by an external laboratory.
Simons has implemented programs to reduce the use of chemicals and prioritize the use of treatments that are safe for people's health and the environment. These initiatives are made possible thanks to the fashion industry's technological innovations. Our exclusive programs are constantly evolving and offer our customers products that reflect the industry's best practices.
TEFLON ECOELITE™ TREATMENT1
The Teflon EcoElite™ finish is a non-fluorinated and renewable plant-based water-repellent treatment. It is also bluesign® certified for its chemical composition, a standard that ensures high product safety in the textile industry.
It replaces the use of water-repellent treatments traditionally composed of polyfluoroalkyl substances, often referred to by their acronyms: PFC, PFOA, or PFAS. They are banned for use in accordance with our chemical substance management policy.
The Teflon EcoElite™ finish is applied to all water-repellent jackets developed by Simons and provides the same level of quality as conventional water-repellent treatments while reducing the environmental impact.
EIM© SCORES BY JEANOLOGIA®
Jeanologia® offers a range of innovative technologies to treat denim that help reduce the energy consumed, the use of wash water, and the use of several chemical substances in its production. Each product also has a score measuring the environmental impact of its clothing finishing processes.
The chemical impact rating of the garment is based on its compliance with the restricted substances list developed by ZDHC2 and on its level of hazard. The score is represented by a colour and number ranging from 0 to 100. A score between 0 and 33 indicates that the chemical substances used in the making of the item are preferable. A score between 34 and 66 indicates that the chemical substances used are acceptable, while a score between 67 and 100 shows that the products used should be phased out.
The score is printed inside the clothing and allows customers to immediately access the chemical impact of the item so they can make an informed choice.
To date, 73% of our exclusive denim products are processed by Jeanologia® technologies and have achieved an EIM score of “Low Impact.”
Explanatory visual printed on the inside of garments
Note
1 Teflon EcoElite™ is a trademark of The Chemours Company FC, LLC used under license by La Maison Simons, Inc.
2 ZDHC promotes the phase-out of hazardous chemicals in the textile production chain and supports sustainable practices. It identifies chemicals of concern and provides clear guidance on which ones to avoid or limit.
