Introduction – our mission in relation to sustainbility

In order for Ajour to be the trusted and transparent knitwear supplier of choice, we consider sustainability a cornerstone of how we work – it is key to our success. We want to direct all our efforts towards this mission.

The industry we operate in is complex and involves many relevant stakeholders. In this document we describe how our way of working relates to our products, our company and our partners.

How we bring our values into practice

We are an authentic knitwear provider, focused on long-term value creation through innovation. We will assess everything that we do by applying the below principles, including a non-exhaustive list of applicable certifications:

Our products

Fair pricing 

We believe that through pricing our products fairly, we build long-term relationships and we respect authenticity. The price should always reflect the true value of the product or service and never exploit workers or clients.

Materials used 

The materials we use, are key to bringing our sustainability mission into practice. In order to use ethically produced, organic and safe materials, we will require on reliable industry-standard certifications, including:

Some common organic material standards

Organic Content Standard (OCS) - The Organic Content Standard (OCS) applies to any non-food product containing 95-100 percent organic material.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) - GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.

Some common environmental standards

The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS) - The Good Cashmere Standard® (GCS) is an independent standard for sustainable cashmere, developed by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), that aims to improve the welfare of cashmere goats, the working conditions of farmers and to protect the environment.

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) - The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world. By ensuring the exchange of good practices, and encouraging the scaling up of collective action, the BCI aims to transform cotton production worldwide and establish Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity. 

Bluesign - BLUESIGN is an independent authority that provides solutions in sustainable processing and manufacturing to industries and brands. 

Cradle to Cradle (C2C) - The Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Products Program sets the global standard for products that are safe, circular and made responsibly. Cradle to Cradle Certified is used by future-focused designers, brands, retailers and manufacturers across the value chain to innovate and optimize materials and products. 

OEKO-TEX - OEKO TEX and its portfolio of independent certifications supports fashion companies in acting responsibly and making sustainable purchasing decisions.

Logistics and packaging 

Logistics are an important part of our sustainability mission, we will limit the distance travelled by each of our products and will seek for modes of transportation that have the least impact on the environment.

We use materials for our packaging with the least possible environmental impact, such as compostable or recyclable options.

Recycling

Global Recycle Standard (GRS) - The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) are international, voluntary standards that set requirements for third-party certification of recycled input and chain of custody.

Animal rights

Animal rights are crucial for our planet's future. We do not use animal products obtained through harsh or cruel methods and will consider the following certifications if applicable:

Use of animal materials (Fur)

Fur Free Retailer - Fur Free Retailer is the world’s leading program to connect fur-free companies to consumers seeking ethical goods.

Our company

Culture and creativity 

We believe that it is critical to the industry’s success to value creativity. Through creativity we create history and culture every day. We will therefore be protective of our and others’ intellectual property (including design), not just from a legal perspective but beyond. Additionally, we will endeavor to give opportunities to young talent, so that they can gain the experience needed and kick start their careers. We believe that we can reach our goals by helping others reach theirs.

Our partners

Our factories hold certifications that ensure they follow labor standards and environmental regulations. We will provide you with details on the standards the factory follows for your production.

Healthy and inclusive workplace

We ensure that our workplace is inclusive, we embrace different perspectives as we believe that this is the only way to be truly innovative. 

We believe that we are only successful when our employees are able to maintain a healthy work-life balance. We will reflect on our way of working regularly, beyond ‘hard’ productivity to prioritize well-being, open communication and be aware.