Supply Chain Sustainability - Case Studies

Green Leaf Mark

Environmental product claims are coming under scrutiny by regulators and are a growing source of distrust by consumers. Recent studies show that consumers continue to support companies and brands that demonstrate social and environmental responsibility and are increasingly looking for certification marks or labels on products to validate environmental credentials. What's more, manufacturers and retail brands are under greater pressure to ensure products meet standards and have accurate test and analysis data to back up their claims.

Intertek's Green Leaf Mark is proof that a product has been independently tested and found to conform to multiple existing environmental regulations, such as RoHS laws, REACH and Eco Design requirements through one mark rather than multiple marks. The Green Leaf Mark is used on product packaging, in point of purchase displays, product advertising and literature to explain a product’s environmental credentials. Since 2011, Intertek has partnered with a leading Chinese Steel manufacturer to measure the environmental footprint of its carbon steels used in the automotive and packaging industry, and certify the products to the Green Leaf standard. To date, 30 products from 10 categories have been verified and awarded with the Intertek Green Leaf Mark. By receiving these certifications, the company is able to effectively demonstrate its efforts to reduce the adverse environmental impact of its production processes and final products.

Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals

In 2017, Intertek joined the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme, a major body which is leading the textile, leather and footwear industries to advance towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals. As a contributor, Intertek is supporting the programme’s vision of achieving the widespread implementation of sustainable chemistry and best practices in the textile, leather and footwear industries to protect consumers, workers and the environment. Intertek delivers comprehensive solutions to enable fashion retailers and brands to fulfil their ZDHC Programme commitments. The solutions include:

• Waste water and sludge testing and sampling services at various key textiles and footwear manufacturing sites;
• Chemical Management System auditing services;
• Training for ZDHC Academy; and
• Manufacturing Restricted Substances Lists management and testing.

ZDHC has approved Intertek to provide waste water and sludge testing services for its members through the ZDHC Provisional Laboratory Acceptance Programme.

Zero Waste to Landfill Certification

Intertek provides companies with the Zero Waste to Landfill certification, which showcases an organisation's contribution towards improving their sustainability initiatives through their pledge to minimise the amount of waste that enters landfills from their operations.

Zero Waste to Landfill certification provides improved credibility and visibility to an organisation’s sustainability efforts. Implementing a Zero Waste to Landfill programme will not only improve the efficiency in manufacturing processes but can also save physical and financial resources through energy conservation and reuse of raw materials.

During 2017, Intertek awarded the Zero Waste to Landfill to Mahindra Group, a leader in the tractor and utility vehicles space, employing more than 200,000 people across the globe. Mahindra was among the first to receive this certification in India which truly demonstrates their commitment to improving the environmental effects their manufacturing process has on the communities in which they operate.

Workplace Conditions Assessment

The Intertek-developed Workplace Conditions Assessment (WCA) program provides a powerful, cost-effective solution for companies and facilities seeking to improve workplace conditions efficiently and in accordance with widely accepted industry standards and best practices.

Anchored in Intertek’s extensive social compliance expertise, WCA has emerged as an industry-leading tool for evaluating, benchmarking and continuously improving supplier workplace conditions. The program is supported by a web-based platform that automates and streamlines the audit process, increasing efficiencies for all supply chain partners.

WCA addresses the following and more:

• Labour (Child/Forced Labour, Discrimination, Discipline, Harassment/Abuse, Freedom of Association, Labour Contracts)
• Wages and Hours (Wages and Benefits; Working Hours)
• Health and Safety (General Work Facility, Emergency Preparedness, Occupational Injury, Machine Safety, Safety Hazards, Chemical and Hazardous Material, Dormitory and Canteen)
• Management Systems (Documentation and Records, Worker Feedback and Participation, Audits and Corrective Action Process)
• Environment (Legal Compliance, Environmental Management Systems, Waste and Air Emissions)

During 2017, we carried out our WCA programme for Siemens suppliers globally in a number of countries including China, India, Germany, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, USA, Brazil and more.

Mill Qualification Programme

In the competitive apparel sector, retailers and brands are increasingly concerned about the quality of the textiles that mills supply. They know it is fundamental to overall garment quality. Today, however, they also appreciate the extent to which social and environmental performance figures into the value equation – especially now that it’s apparent that the most socially and environmentally responsible mills deliver more consistently on quality excellence. The key challenge becomes one of accessing reliable data on mill social and environmental performance, including measures related to improved efficiency and overall quality.

The Mill Qualification Program (MQP), developed by Intertek, provides leading suppliers and brands with a new operating environment that integrates sustainability considerations with continuous improvement in the quality performance of fabric mills. The program employs a unified and standardised approach for mill performance measurement in key areas, including social considerations, quality assurance, lab certification and environmental sustainability. The MQP has emerged as an industry-leading tool for evaluating, benchmarking and monitoring mills’ performance and ensuring continuous improvement. Its focus on collaboration encourages a partnership between buyers and suppliers in order to create a better understanding of and alignment with sourcing strategies and expectations. During 2017 we carried out Supplier In-house Lab Certification Programmes for a number of customers, including Arcadia and C&A.

Safe Hydrogen Refuelling Stations in the US, 2016

Intertek has worked with Powertech, Sandia National Laboratories and The National Renewable Energy Laboratory to launch a new method of safety and performance testing and certification of hydrogen fuelling stations in the US. The Hydrogen Station equipment performance ('HyStEP') device which is in a mobile unit attached to the back of a vehicle was so innovative that no standards adequately addressed the safety hazards it potentially created. This new method of testing is more efficient than previous methods where individual automotive manufacturers conducted their own testing to certify the safety and performance of hydrogen fuelling stations. To bring the new testing and certifying method to the market, Intertek facilitated a process known as a Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis ('FMECA') on each HyStEP device. The purpose of the FMECA is to analyse and assess potential failures within a process or device for safety hazards and performance, and the causes and effects of those failures and levels of performance. After which, it identifies what actions could be taken to eliminate or reduce the chance of each failure occurring and performance being improved. Initially, the HyStEP device has been used for certifying fuelling stations in California, which currently has the most hydrogen fuelling stations of any state in the US. Construction is expected to begin on additional stations in 2017. Intertek is uniquely placed to harness the opportunities for safety and performance testing and certification in the alternative fuels industry in the US market.

Business Environmental Performance Initiative, 2015

In 2015, Intertek was approved as an assessor by the Business Environmental Performance Initiative. Under the BEPI, Intertek certifies that an organisation’s standards and principles show commitment to improving environmental impact, while reducing business risks and costs associated with enhanced environmental processes. Intertek’s onsite environmental assessments are conducted for brands and retailers aiming to improve supply chain environmental performance as a result of applying more efficient processes and best in class environmental systems at the production level. BEPI is a voluntary environmental initiative by the Foreign Trade Association (‘FTA’), which focuses on trade policy and global supply chain compliance to an existing social compliance programme, Business Social Compliance Initiative, which has been in place for 12 years. The FTA has more than 1,000 members including retailers, importers and brands committed to improving supply chain corporate social responsibility performance.

Joining Forces with Sustainability Apparel Coalition (SAC), 2015

Intertek has joined the SAC (Sustainable Apparel Coalition) and will use their sustainability measurement tool, the Higg Index, to drive environmental responsibility. Membership to SAC means that Intertek joins more than 160 global brands, retailers and manufacturers, as well as government, non-profit environmental organisations and academic institutions that are collectively committed to improving supply chain sustainability in the apparel and footwear industries. Intertek will contribute both data and resources to support the Higg Index, which gauges environmental sustainability and drives supply chain decision-making to improve efficiency and sustainability impacts. The Higg Index is an open source, indicator-based tool that allows suppliers, manufacturers, brands and retailers to evaluate materials, products, facilities and processes based on environmental and product design choices.

Clean Technology Product Testing, 2014

In 2014 Intertek was awarded a contract with the Portland Development Commission (‘PDC’), in Oregon, USA, to perform testing and certification for clean technology products. The PDC and the City of Portland were awarded federal funding to assist in the integration of clean technology as part of an initiative to accelerate innovation and production, and thereby stimulate job growth in the region. Intertek will be the sole testing provider for local manufacturers of products relating to clean technologies such as batteries, electric vehicles, lighting, green buildings, energy efficiency and solar power.

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Chemicals, 2014

Intertek works with a number of organisations to analyse the environmental impact of their products and services. In 2014, we completed a project for a German chemical company which supplies glycerin (an ingredient used in many personal care products) in bulk containers. These containers are usually thrown away after one use but the company introduced a return and refill system. Intertek’s analysis revealed that this reduces their packaging by 86% and achieves a 68% reduction in their carbon footprint. This independent verification of the benefits encouraged the company’s customers and others in its supply chain to accept this innovation.

Supporting Ethical Supply Chains, 2013

In recent years, consumers have become increasingly interested in the social and environmental aspects involved in the development of what they purchase and demand products that have been sustainably and ethically sourced and manufactured. We support our clients in monitoring their suppliers with Social Responsibility Audits and Workplace Conditions Assessment to prohibit the use of forced or child labour, discrimination or harassment, as well as assessing physical facilities of the unit, such as health and safety, chemical products, systems management and environment. Intertek’s Ethical Sourcing Forum is a unique industry event that brings together members of the global sustainability community to address emerging supply chain challenges. Utilising Intertek’s industry experts and thousands of reports collected over many years of Corporate Responsibility and ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) supplier audits, the event provides companies with the business intelligence and data they need to make informed decisions on their increasingly offshore, outsourced supply chains.