Responsibility within the JCK Group
The companies within the JCK Group operate independently in terms of strategy, management and day-to-day business processes. This also applies to how they address social and environmental topics. JCK contributes specialist expertise and promotes the exchange of knowledge and experience across the Group.
The following sections present selected processes and measures of G. Güldenpfennig GmbH as practical examples. They should not be understood as Group-wide policies or processes.
Raw Materials, Yarn Production, Weaving/Knitting
Activities at Güldenpfennig:
Supply Chain Transparency
Güldenpfennig’s teams record the production facilities reported by suppliers for each order, covering the supply chain back to the spinning mill. This information provides a basis for better assessing potential risks and, where necessary, carrying out risk-based reviews of the recorded production facilities.
Testing Fabrics for Harmful Substances
As part of the testing for harmful substances, not only finished products are examined. For each order, a Risk Oriented Check (ROC) is carried out by an independent testing laboratory during fabric production. The fabrics are tested on a risk-based basis for chemical substances of concern using defined testing parameters.
Certification Standards
Selected products use certified materials or raw materials. Depending on the product and customer requirements, the certification standards shown below may be applied.
Dyeing, Washing, Coating
Activities at Güldenpfennig:
Chemical Management Audits (CMA)
Recorded wet-processing facilities, such as dyeing and washing facilities, are reviewed by Güldenpfennig’s local teams as part of Chemical Management Audits (CMA). The audits cover various aspects of environmental and chemical management. This includes checking whether the chemicals and auxiliaries used are registered and whether their use is documented.
The audit results highlight potential areas for improvement and are taken into account when assessing and approving production facilities.
Digital Chemical Inventories (CIL)
Digital chemical inventories, known as Chemical Inventory Lists (CIL), are maintained for the recorded wet-processing facilities. They provide an overview of the chemicals used at each facility and help manage their use. The aim is to avoid hazardous substances wherever possible from the outset. The local teams support the facilities in introducing, maintaining and updating their CIL.
Whitelist for Wet-Processing Facilities
To clearly identify which facilities meet the defined requirements for chemical and environmental management, Güldenpfennig maintains a whitelist of reviewed wet-processing facilities. Requirements for inclusion include relevant operational and safety documents, a digital chemical inventory and a successfully completed Chemical Management Audit (CMA).
The whitelist is reviewed regularly and provided to garment manufacturers as a basis for selecting suitable wet-processing facilities.
Cutting, Sewing, Quality Control, Packaging
Activities at Güldenpfennig:
Social Monitoring Audits
Based on the amfori BSCI audit protocol, the local Social Compliance teams regularly carry out their own audits at production facilities. The aim is to identify possible deviations from the applicable social standards and requirements and to highlight areas for improvement.
Support in Addressing Non-Conformities
The local teams support production facilities in addressing issues identified through internal Social Monitoring Audits or external amfori BSCI audits and in implementing appropriate corrective actions.
Supplier Training on Social Compliance
The teams regularly conduct training sessions in the production countries. These sessions cover requirements relating to working conditions and social standards, as well as current topics and their implementation at production facilities.
Additional external audits and testing by independent institutes:
- amfori BSCI audits
- Chemical material testing for harmful substances of the finished products
Industry Initiatives
Activities at Güldenpfennig:
Güldenpfennig participates in selected industry initiatives focusing on social standards and working conditions in the supply chain.
Güldenpfennig is a member of amfori and uses amfori BSCI, among other tools, to assess social requirements at production facilities.
Güldenpfennig is a signatory to the International Accord and, within this framework, participates in the Bangladesh Safety Agreement (BSA) for the textile and garment industry in Bangladesh.