A transparent view
Vision
ALL ABOUT NEXT
Our maxim all about next gives our sustainability actions a name. We would like to focus on what lies ahead. Making our actions visible to drive change. The next steps are crucial to sustainably reduce our carbon footprint and help alleviate global warming.
When doing business, Création Gross is committed to sustainability with regards to conserving resources, raw materials and the environment. We are aware of our responsibility towards our staff, customers and partners and are committed to sustainable, considerate business practices in the interest of protecting the environment.
We are also conscious of our responsibility and the urgency in times of the climate crisis, and we are facing up to these challenges with a high level of transparency.
We are currently working to further develop our sustainability strategy, which is based on the materiality assessment and focuses on the climate crisis and human rights. The company‘s relevant sustainability topics are then derived from this.
In developing our sustainability strategy, we are guided by the dialogue with our stakeholders and the Sustainable Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
In this context, Création Gross makes a special contribution in the points.
Product
We do not use real fur of any kind and exotic leathers and skins.
The production of materials has the greatest negative impact on the carbon footprint balance of a garment. That’s why we are increasingly turning to more sustainable alternatives. We pay attention to water & energy consumption, land use, chemicals and the working conditions of the people who make them.
We are buying more and more fibres that correspond to industry- recognised standards. These include organically grown and recycled fibres, fibres that are produced with animal welfare and sustainable farming in mind and regenerated cellulose fibres from branded manufacturers that are more environmentally friendly than conventional regenerated fibres.
At the corporate level, there is a fiber and material policy that defines the future use of materials over the next few years.
Additional priorities are set within the brands.
Production & Suppliers
The quality of our products is very important to us. Although the materials and the processing techniques used are essential for making a good product, humane working conditions and environmental aspects play just as important a role.
Our requirements for working conditions, health and safety standards have to be met. The basis for this are our purchasing regulations and the Code of Conduct.
Chemicals
We aim to develop products that are socially and ecologically harmless and non-hazardous in terms of health. This includes responsible use of chemicals during production and the final product. We have defined strict guidelines for the use of chemicals and do not use any that are harmful to the enviroment. This information is summarised in the corporate Restricted Substances List (RSL).
Environment
Emissions
The first step is made
In 2022, Creation Gross created the first Corporate Carbon Footprint Balance based on figures from 2019. We created the Balance with Climate Partner and it is based on the requirements of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The Corporate Carbon Footprint for 2019 was 1,751.5 t CO₂.
Realistically, the production of clothing generates resource consumption and emissions. To reduce the negative impact of our actions, we have established various reduction measures.
E-COM Tours
Over the last three years, we have made efforts to reduce the number of returns from the online shop. These include adjusting the size guide regarding fit or the additional hint to check, with the help of the size guide, if it is necessary to order all sizes selected in the shopping basket. The returns rate for both online stores was reduced by 4.5% last year.
Since April 2023, the end customer can choose between a repurposed box and a new box as one of the shipping options. By now, 23% of all online shop orders are sent in repurposed boxes.
CIRCULAR PRODUCTS AND BUSINESS MODELS
Introduction of a Repair & Care system
Most products on the market are made for a linear life cycle. That means they are produced, used and finally thrown away. This means that they are produced, used and thrown away at the end. In order to reduce the use of new resources, extending usage cycles and using recycled and recyclable materials is key. This reduces waste as much as possible and can even prevent it from being produced in the first place.
A workshop day was held in 2023 to create a genuine circular economy for our products and implement new business models. We highlighted relevant topics, defined projects and set priorities. These included circular design approaches, recyclable materials and manufacturing methods that invest in the durability of our products. New business models such as hire and repair services are set to be trialled.
Julia Metz
Head of Human Resources
“It is important for our employees to be able to identify fully with our company. Through our almost 100-year history, sustainability has always played a major role. It’s about consistency, security and at the same time future orientation in order to be able to exist as a modern employer. In some cases, several generations of the same family work for us. Consequently, the orientation of our company goes far beyond the ecological aspect of sustainability.”
Carl Gross
Sustainable action/trade
Sustainability Report
For more transparency and in-depth information, here is the entire Sustainability Report.
Sustainability Report
Certificates & Partner
Since 2021 Création Gross is GOTS certified. Products that comply with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) must contain a high percentage of organically cultivated natural fibres. Furthermore, GOTS has strict requirements regarding production processes and used ingredients. It is also insist that social and enviromental criteria are adhered to during further processing. Création Gross products that are GOTS certificates bear the logo od their hang tag.
Since 2023 Création Gross is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified. The Global Recycled Standard is a Textile Exchange standard. It aims to promote a higher proportion of recycled content in products.
By verifying the recycled content, brands and consumers are given the opportunity to make informed purchasing decisions. Création Gross products that are GRS certificates bear the logo od their hang tag.
Social
Sustainable action
Création Gross complies its values, principles, standards and code of conduct in its own guidelines, which are intended for staff and/or suppliers. These include the Company Regulations, the Guidelines for Sustainable Action or the Code of Conduct.
In order to comply with the Whistleblower Directive, Création Gross has established the Improvement program. Through it, the company provides a platform via which tips on optimization opportunities can be given and non-compliance with legal or Company Regulations or any other Création Gross guidelines can be reported.