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.

The bluesign® standard offers the possibility, to easily meet EHS-requirements ("Restricted Substance Lists" (RSL) of the brands/retailers, RSLs of leading companies) as well as REACH requirements. At the same time, the principle of maximum resource efficiency means cost efficiency from the perspective of manufacturers.

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 principle, the bluesign® standard divides chemical components for the textile production into three categories: "blue", "grey" und "black". "black" chemical components contain substances that are generally banned and 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 no alternative "blue" chemical component with the same performance is available.

The independent bluesign® standard does not eliminate existing RSLs - it heads one step further and embraces these standards. It fulfils all commercially significant requirements all around the world. It represents the route of best practice at every turn and in the future will lead the way.

For manufacturers, a special tool called bluesign® screening is available. It includes an on-site evaluation of the environment-, resource- and workplace situation of textile manufacturing sites according to the five principles of the bluesign® standard (resource productivity, consumer safety, air emission, water emission and occupational health and safety).

Phase 1: preparation and screening

• Agreement: sign screening agreement including secrecy clause
• Data collection: collect EHS- and general production data covering 1 year of operation (Duration: about 2-3 weeks depending on data availability)
• Screening: screening preparation by bluesign technologies ag, detailed on-site evaluation of EHS situation (Duration: 10-15 days for our preparation, 1-3 days on-site)
• Report: bluesign technologies ag compiles a detailed report with recommendations regarding the components and processes used (Duration: 6-7 weeks)

Phase 2: implementation

• Agreement: sign system partner agreement
• Implementation: independent implementation of the report's recommendations, bluesign technologies ag takes the consulting part
• Certification: final verification of the different product lines and certification with the "bluesign® approved fabric" label by bluesign technologies ag
• Re-screening: on-site reevaluation of EHS situation within 2 years depending on the EHS situation
• Periodic updating: consulting for the introduction of new chemical components to ensure the bluesign® standard is still met

The bluefinder™ is a growing online database containing "bluesign® approved" raw materials and components that are allowed under the bluesign® standard, i.e. homologated components of the categories "blue" and "grey". The bluefinder™ is always up-to-date and provides you with the newest easy-to-use textile-relevant EHS information.

No. Manufacturers don't need to switch their chemical suppliers. However, chemical components that do not meet the bluesign® standard must be replaced. During the screening process all used chemical components are evaluated according to the classification "blue", "grey" or "black". In the subsequent implementation phase, all "black" chemical components must be replaced because they don't meet the bluesign® standard.