Our CSR approach
At Brands of Scandinavia, we work seriously and ambitiously with CSR being fully aware of our responsibility as an actor in the fashion arena.
We set the bar high as we proceed to follow the difficult yet right path. At times, we are met with challenges that are greater than first expected. However, we are always ready to adapt through the testing of new, innovative solutions, technologies and materials to keep us in the right direction.
Responsibility
From early Spring 2020, we deliver a line of responsible clothes.
With this collection, FREEQUENT takes a step towards a more sustainable future. It is our ambition to continuously expand our selection of responsible fabrics. Please be aware that every garment in this responsible collection is marked with a special hangtag.
We want to steadily increase the share of responsible materials in our collections. Our goal is to reach a share of 30% in 2025 and 50% in 2028.
It is important to us that you know what we mean when we categorize some of our materials and products ‘responsible’.
Learn more about the responsible materials below.
Code of Conduct
At Brands of Scandinavia, we have a Code of Conduct containing a set of rules and principles based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and key UN and International Labour Organisation conventions.
All suppliers must sign the Code of Conduct to do business with Brands of Scandinavia. By signing the Code of Conduct suppliers pledge to uphold it content and adhere to standards within animal welfare, anti-corruption, chemicals, environmental protection, health, and safety as well as human rights and labour rights.
Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
We are proud to officially announce that we are certified to the Global Recycled Standard. The GRS certification supports the verification and tracking of recycled materials in final products. The certification covers the entire supply chain and defines requirements of traceability, environmental principles, social requirements, reduction of chemical content and requirements for labeling.
Upon receiving the GRS certification as a company, our next important step is to focus on producing GRS-certified products. To reach that goal, 50% of the composition must come from recycled materials.
What is the Global Recycled Standard?
The GRS certification supports the verification and tracking of recycled materials in final products. The certification covers the entire supply chain and defines requirements of traceability, environmental principles, social requirements, reduction of chemical content and requirements for labeling.
The main objectives of the GRS
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Align definitions of “recycled” across different applications.
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Verify recycled content in products.
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Give brands and consumers a means to make informed buying decisions.
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Reduce the harmful impact of production on people and the environment.
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Provide assurance that products are processed in a more climate-friendly way.
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Encourage higher proportions of recycled content in products.
Key guarantees of the GRS certificate
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Reduction of the harmful impact of production on people and the environment.
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Durably treated products.
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Minimum 50% percentages of recycled material in products.
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Responsible production.
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Traceability of the products and materials.
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Transparent communication.
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Stakeholder engagement.
What does it take to keep the GRS-certification and produce GRS-certified garments?
Our company must undergo a yearly audit with an independent audit agency. To produce GRS-certified products every link in the supply chain must have its own Scope Certificate (SC) and a Transaction Certificate (TC) that follows the products on their journey from manufacturing to retail. With our GRS-certificate we also commit to producing a higher number of products containing recycled fibers.
Better Cotton
We, Brands of Scandinavia are a proud member of Better Cotton.
Better cotton is sourced via a chain of custody model called mass balance.
This means that Better Cotton is not physically traceable to end products,
however, Better Cotton Farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton
in equivalent volumes to those we ´source´.
We Brands of Scandinavia are committed to source 25% of our Cotton as Better Cotton by 2025.
Better Cotton’s mission is to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.
By buying cotton products from Brands of Scandinavia, you are supporting the Better Cotton Farmers who use water efficiently, care for soil health and natural habitats, reduce use of the most harmful chemicals and respect workers’ rights and wellbeing.
LENZING™ ECOVERO™, LENZING™ TENCEL™ & Lyocell
Since 2020, we have incorporated LENZING™ ECOVERO™, Lyocell, and LENZING™ TENCEL™ into our collections. These are all viscose-based materials but have a lower impact on the environment than conventional viscose. They are made from dissolved wood pulp sourced from FSC or PEFC certified, sustainably managed forests.
Compared to conventional viscose production, they reduce water and energy consumption by up to 50%. Production takes place in a closed system that recycles more than 99% of the water and solvents used in the process. Ensuring that harmful substances are not released into the environment.
Careful Environment Consideration
Environmental issues are crucial for any company and therefore Brands of Scandinavia makes a virtue of maintaining high consumer safety.
We do our utmost to prevent both people and the environment from being exposed to any harmful chemicals. A close dialogue, our long-term relations with our suppliers and ongoing inspection of our goods helps us ensure a high level of safety.
We proudly support various local activities
Aabenraa Crisis Center for Abused Women
Brands of Scandinavia a/s has chosen to support to Aabenraa Crisis Center for abused women. The Center’s purpose is to help women and their children, who have suffered mental and physical violence or threats, and find themselves in an acute crisis situation.
“A big thank you for all the lovely clothes we received. Wow, we have had a party! Especially one resident who had nothing at all and who was never allowed to buy anything.
She looks so beautiful in her new clothes - she has never felt so nice looking as now. I hope by sharing this with you, I give you just a little bit of the joyful feeling that we experience every time we receive clothes from you.”
Tove Lagoni, Tidligere Leder, Aabenraa Krisecenter
“We would also like to thank you very much for the financial support and the nice Christmas presents that you are so kind to send in our direction. This means that both women and children are having a more joyful Christmas and that we can take them on excursions during the year, and it is worth its weight in gold for everyone. ”
Hanne Frederiksen, Leder, Aabenraa Krisecenter
Koldinghus
We support Koldinghus through its Business Club.
The purpose of the Koldinghus Foundation is to develop it into a local, regional and national cultural center with an international aim of supporting and promoting the activities at the Museum at Koldinghus, for example through
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Increasing and improving the museum’s permanent collections
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Establishment of a center for local history
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Building adaptations and redecorations of the museum’s premises
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Support for the museum’s development in general, first and foremost the museum’s dissemination and exhibition activities.
