UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH CENTRES

MIT-MISTI (INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES)

Under the framework of our Closing the Loop, we have partnered with MIT-MISTI (International Science and Technology Initiatives) in order to conduct research to improve recycling of textile fibres from used garments.

University of Santiago de Compostela

Since 2004, the University of Santiago de Compostela has maintained close collaboration with Inditex as advisors in science technology. Among the collaborations are the development of the product safety standard Clear to Wear, the application of Big Data in order to optimize control procedures (Manufacturing epidemiology) or protocols to measure the sustainability of chemical substances of the textile and leather industry.

University of A Coruña

In collaboration with this university, we are developing the technical documents that analyse different systems and the existing technologies for each of the different stages in the purification process in order to improve their operation and reduce the discharge of chemical substances.

Escola Técnica d'Igualada (CETI – UPC)

The collaboration with CETI through the A3 In Leather and Fashion & Textile Innovation chair includes the development of good manufacturing practices focused on improving the processes of tanning leather, as well as the development of more sensitive analysis methods (Chromium (VI).

European Committee for Standardisation - EU

Inditex actively participates in the European Committee for Standardisation for the development of standards and regulations related to the safety of children’s clothing, as a representative within the work group CEN/TC 248/WG 20.

Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB)

BBRP (Barcelona Biomedical Research Park) is a joint initiative with the Regional Government of Catalonia (Generalitat), Barcelona City Council and the Pompeu Fabra University. The Park is a centre for biomedicine and health sciences that collaborates with Inditex in the studying of the potential hazards of chemical substances in the textile and leather industry.

SECTORAL ORGANIZATIONS

European Union. PEF Pilot (Product Environmental Footprint)

This European Commission programme seeks to increase transparency in the environmental characteristics of products, to explore new routes of information and promote sustainable consumption. Together with other brands and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, we took part in the footwear pilot to analyse how to facilitate understanding of the products’ environmental impacts. In 2016 we conducted a communication pilot in Zara and Oysho.

Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC)

We participate in the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) in order to progress the sustainable transformation of the sector. The main initiative is the Higg Index, a tool to understand and minimize the environmental and social impacts of the manufacturing and sale of the products. Our effort has focused on updating the suppliers module of the index in order to adapt it to small and medium enterprises and for it to represent the industry as a whole.

COTTON CAMPAIGN

We collaborate with this coalition of organisations for Human Rights, labour rights, investors and businesses in the eradication of child labour and labour exploitation in cotton production, especially in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA)

Conscious of the environmental and social advantages of organically cultivated cotton, Inditex supports the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) as a founding member and part of the investor committee. This multi-sector initiative joins the principal agents in the sector of organically cultivated cotton in order to create a robust market that benefits us all, from the farmer to the consumer.

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), of which Inditex is a member, aims to improve global production and to contribute to the future of the cotton sector, both in the social and environmental scope. For this, it supports farmers through technical training programmes, seeking to encourage environmental sustainability through more respectful cultivation practices and including a custody system that facilitates cotton’s traceability from the field to its distribution.

Canopy Planet

With this organization, we founded the CanopyStyle initiative, the aim of which is to promote sustainability of man-made cellulosic fibers in the value chain.

Textile Exchange

Yet again this year, we continue to collaborate with Textile Exchange, a global non-profit organization that works towards a more sustainable textile industry, boosting the positive impacts and helping to establish better practices and sustainable business models in the entire value chain.

Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)

As well as our commitment to reach Zero Discharge in 2020, in 2016 we also jointly led, as members of this initiative, a working group to improve wastewater management resulting in the publication of the Wastewater Guidelines.

Partnership for Cleaner Textile in Bangladesh (PaCT)

At Inditex we support this programme by promoting better practices and developing specific technical material for more sustainable production in Bangladesh’s textile sector.

Clean by Design (CBD) Programme of the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC)

We support this initiative which aim to promote the sustainability of textile production in China.

Chinese Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE)

The Chinese Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) promotes the disclosure of wastewater analyses from suppliers related to wet processes. The IPE has recognised Inditex’s work towards improving the environmental performance of the supply chain, positioning us in seventh place on their ranking for the textile sector and eleventh place globally, 10 places higher than the previous year.

EUREKA (Turkey)

In association with the highest-level laboratory in Turkey, the EKOTEKS Laboratory, Inditex is developing new techniques for the analysis of cosmetics, which are already being applied to ensure the maximum quality of the brand’s line of cosmetic products. This R&D project is being developed under the auspices of the European Union EUREKA network.

CIQ (China)

Inditex participates in the Pre-Testing programme with the CIQ Shanghai organization of the Department of Customs Inspection and Quarantine of China, reserved for companies with a very high level of compliance with health regulations for imported items.

Ceo Water Mandate

At Inditex we support this initiative included in the United Nations Global Compact to promote adequate and sustainable water management.