The EMAS regulation (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is an initiative of the European Union to improve corporate environmental protection. In 2008, VAUDE was the first company in the outdoor industry to successfully pass EMAS certification. Vaude must prove that the company's environmental management is responsible, credible, innovative and transparent. The same applies to the globally valid ISO14001 standard.

The assessor specifically examined whether Vaude fulfills its commitment to an ambitious and continuous improvement process for more sustainable management. As part of its environmental program, for example, Vaude is committed to converting all of its products and production facilities to Bluesign in the long term. Bluesign is currently the world's most stringent production standard for textiles in terms of pollutants, emissions and resource consumption in the areas of environmental protection, consumer protection and occupational health and safety.

In addition to focusing on more sustainable products and production methods, Vaude has, for example, launched the "Vaude rides a bike - less CO2, more fun" campaign for commuting to work, releases employees for the "Schutzwald" campaign of the German Alpine Association (DAV) and equips the DAV nature and environmental protection teaching team. In addition, nature conservation projects were supported by the Association for Conservation, which provides VAUDE with significant personnel and financial support. The German mountain sports outfitter operates one of the largest photovoltaic systems in Upper Swabia (158 kilowatts peak) on the company roofs, thus generating a good third of its own electricity consumption from renewable, regional and emission-free solar energy. VAUDE offsets part of its CO2 emissions through the "BaumInvest" rainforest reforestation project in Costa Rica.

Assessor Dr. Udo Ammon commented on the successful re-audit: "VAUDE has recognized the opportunity and is driving forward its environmental issues systematically and with commitment with the help of EMAS. The further development of product ecology is particularly noteworthy. EMAS is not only effective at the site, but also wherever these ecological products are used". The company has thus once again demonstrated its sense of responsibility towards people and nature.

Source: Vaude press release

Further information at:
www.emas.de
www.vaude.com
www.eogconservation.org
www.bluesign.com
www.euronatur.org