The basic idea behind the bluesign® standard is to combine aspects of consumer safety, water and air emissions as well as occupational health in a single standard under the general objective of resource productivity. With its practical and solution-orientated approach, the bluesign® standard creates transparency along the whole textile production chain without compromising functionality, quality or design.

Due to the fact that this unique standard covers all relevant Restricted Substance Lists (RSLs of leading companies) as well as REACH requirements, EHS queries and conformity work can be drastically reduced. As a result of the bluesign® standard's high EHS levels and its high acceptance among retailers, the bluesign® standard allows suppliers to set themselves apart from the competition.

The bluesign® standard considers all inputs, processes and technologies at their source. Through this so-called input stream management, chemical components containing critical substances can be handled in a safe way. In order to determine compliance of chemical components for the textile production with the bluesign® standard, the homologation process was developed. The homologation process allows to divide each chemical component based on its ecological and toxicological impact into three categories: "blue", "grey" and "black". "black" chemical components are excluded from the production process. "blue" chemical components can be used for all applications. All other ("grey") chemical components can only be used under the conditions of "Best Available Technology" (BAT) and only if there is no alternative "blue" chemical component with the same performance.

The bluesign® standard is globally valid. The integrative nature of the bluesign® standard guarantees compliance with the most stringent international regulations and legislations at all times.

In order to be able to ascertain, simply and reliably, the degree to which chemical components comply with the bluesign® standard, a special web-based software tool – the bluetool™ – is available. The bluetool™ guides suppliers effortlessly through the homologation process and contains all the information needed for the assessment of chemical components and processes. After this, the final review and approval is given by bluesign technologies ag.

The bluesign® standard is more of a system than a set of defined rules. The system in place allows to constantly assess and add new chemical components. Due to its dynamic, chemical components may move from "blue" to "grey" or "grey" to "black" if new alternatives are available or regulations have tightened. Therefore, the bluesign® standard is constantly further developed.

No samples are needed. Suppliers of chemical components have the possibility to personally enter and online homologate chemical components using the bluetool™. For the homologation process, detailed chemical and toxicological data of the supplier's chemical components is required.