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FALKE We Care





WE CARE -
SUSTAINABILITY AT FALKE


Sustainability has always played a central role for FALKE. As a family business in its 4th generation, it goes without saying that FALKE always considers the consequences for future generations in its decisions.
Our high-quality, durable products are designed to give long-lasting pleasure and thus make the world a little better. But that is only one part of our sustainability strategy, because we approach this issue in the same way as we do our products: holistically, with great enthusiasm and full of passion.
Here we want to give you an insight into where we are on our path to a sustainable future, what measures we have already implemented and what steps we want to take next.

  





 

FALKE - WE CARE

WE CARE -
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
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WE CARE -
FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
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WE CARE -
FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
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The entire production process, from the manufacture of raw materials to the sale of the finished product, is influenced by our aim of minimising energy consumption, waste, and rejects. The high quality of FALKE products ensures a long life-span. Packaging, which - nowadays - is often made using plastic, is gradually being replaced by alternatives made using organic materials.		  


The wool processed by FALKE is subject to strict quality criteria, also in terms of animal welfare. For example, all of our sheep's wool suppliers must demonstrate that the practice of mulesing, a painful treatment used to prevent sheep from becoming infested with certain fly maggots, is not used. The angora wool we use is certified with the CaregoraTM hallmark, which guarantees compliance with strict guidelines to protect animal welfare.		  


Unlike many other fashion companies, FALKE has not outsourced production but continues to operate its own production facilities in Germany and Europe, where around 90% of our leg-wear garments are manufactured. These production locations are regularly visited and audited by our own specially-trained employees as well as external and independent institutes. Particular attention is given to working conditions, the payment of fair wages, and compliance with safety regulations.

OUR COMMITMENT



SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

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Step by step, the FALKE range is being converted to sustainable materials. We started with our customers' favourites such as FALKE Family and FALKE Pure Matt 50. This ensures the change achieves the greatest possible effect right from the start. We are already planning to transition the next products, so the proportion of sustainable products under the "WE CARE" label is constantly growing.

ENVORIMENTALLY FRIENDLY PACKAGING

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Wherever possible, we reduce the amount of packaging materials we use or substitute alternatives made from organic materials. The packaging for FALKE Ergonomic Sport System sports underwear has already been completely converted to recycled paper. We have successfully reduced the use of plastic film in the packaging of our fine goods by 20%. The polypropylene film currently still in use can be fully recycled.

RESOURCE-FRIENDLY PRODUCTION

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Since 2021, we have been continuously recording our carbon footprint in order to identify suitable measures to avoid and reduce emissions. In this context, we have taken a major step in the area of energy supply: since 2022, all FALKE locations in Germany have been procuring electricity from renewable sources.

WOOL

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Wool is one of the most important raw materials for our product range. To avoid unnecessary animal suffering, we only use mulesing-free wool from sheep that are kept in accordance with the IWTO Guidelines for Wool Sheep Welfare. The angora wool we use is Caregora™ certified.

SPECIES PROTECTION

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One project that gives us all great pleasure is the bee colonies that have been established in open spaces on company property. These not only contribute to the preservation of flora and fauna, but also provide variety in our daily work and promote teamwork.

OUR OWN PRODUCTION FACILITIES

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Our production facilities are regularly visited and audited by our own specially trained employees and by independent external institutes. Particular attention is given to working conditions, the payment of fair wages, and compliance with safety regulations.

SUPPLIERS

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Direct suppliers in BSCI risk countries are regularly audited with regard to working conditions, environmental protection and chemicals management. Based on the audit results, we support our suppliers in implementing our high quality and safety standards.

INNOVATION

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In addition to quality, FALKE is known for its constant innovation. For example, we use yarns with innovative Beta Spun technology, where a core of merino wool and TENCEL™ Lyocell is wrapped in fine polyamide filaments to protect it from abrasion and prevent pilling. This makes ClimaWool an extremely durable premium product. In addition, TENCEL™ is a biodegradable fibre obtained from sustainably grown, FSC-certified eucalyptus. The result is a fine, elegant knit that offers exceptional comfort without pilling.  Discover the products from the ClimaWool series and see for yourself.

TRANSPARENCY

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We strive for maximum transparency in the traceability of the materials we use. With this in mind, we work with long-standing, trustworthy business partners when procuring materials, we obtain precise information about the origin of each material and seek suitable certification to guarantee this. You can find out more about our certifications here.
Maximum transparency is also important to us when it comes to you, our customers. That is why we provide open and honest information here about the measures we have implemented and our set objectives. In our online shop, the new sustainability filter offers you a quick and easy way to find the products in the FALKE WE CARE range.   

NEXT STEPS


EXPANSION OF THE FALKE WE CARE RANGE
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Steps are already underway to convert the next products to sustainable materials. Over the coming year, we want to add more series to our sustainable quality range, including FALKE Cool Kick and some of our Seasonal Basic and Seasonal items.

REDESIGN OF PACKAGING
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We aim to replace the plastic hooks used to hang our products in stores and are currently testing new organic-based materials. Some of these plastic hooks are already made using fully recycled material.

REDUCTION OF EMISSIONS
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The existing heating system at our logistics centre in Schmallenberg will be converted to a sustainable wood chip system. Previous CO2 emissions — corresponding to the annual consumption of 65 family homes — will be reduced by 75% thanks to this conversion.

TRADITION & FUTURE READINESS


“Sustainable corporate management has always been part of our company philosophy, and this is reflected in our corporate culture, processes and not least in our product design.”



Paul Falke

 Franz-Peter Falke



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FAQ

Sustainability means to us to take over social and environmental responsibility along the whole product creation process and supply chain. We fixed this claim in the FALKE Code of Conduct. Our Buying Conditions and our Quality Guideline define the according criteria for our suppliers of yarn and finished goods. We use different global standards to make sure all our own facilities as well as those of our suppliers can follow our guidelines reasonably. Focus of our activities is on Product Quality, Social Responsibility and Environment Protection.

All our products are designed and developed to fulfil the requirements of OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and of the FALKE Quality Guideline. These standards regulate physical characteristics, using characteristics and the limits for harmful substances allowed in our products. The basis to meet these standards is already set by the choice of material we use. We preferably purchase material holding a valid OEKO-TEX®-Standard-100-certificate.

FALKE operates an own laboratory to test physical and using characteristics as well as colour and perspiration fastness. Additionally, we partner with external institutes to analyse the content of harmful substances. All tests apply for material as well as for finished product made in our own production sites and external factories. Non-compliances will be declared and followed by corrective actions.

All finished products as well as preliminary products from our suppliers must comply with the FALKE Quality Guideline. This includes our Restricted Substances List (RSL), which regulates the content of harmful substances in the product. Our Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) additionally regulates the use of certain substances in the manufacturing process of yarn, fabrics and finished goods. Effluent tests ensure compliance with this restriction.

FALKE has own factories and strategic partners in countries classified as risk countries according to Amfori BSCI. We expect that all manufacturers of yarn, fabrics and finished goods involved in the creation of our products follow the requirements of the BSCI Code of Conduct independent of where they are located. Please find further information about BSCI on https://www.amfori.org.

Our benchmark for social responsibility is the Code of Conduct of the Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI). This Code of Conduct covers important aspects of acceptable working conditions and treatment of employees. Furthermore, it considers certain aspects of chemical management. The complex BSCI audits are standardized and identify weak points within the individual factories. We use the audit results to support our own factories as well as those of our suppliers to develop towards better standards.

The BSCI Code of Conduct and the respective national law of the supplying countries define the minimum standard for chemical management each supplier has to fulfil. Our strict MRSL defines the targeted limits of substances used in the manufacturing process.

To have control over discharge of hazardous chemicals within the internal and external process steps all factories with wet processes have to provide a valid wastewater analysis on a regular basis. These analyses base on ZDHC criteria, a global initiative of fashion brands targeting to bring harmful substances within the manufacturing process to zero.

Yes, FALKE already uses organic and recycled material. Our aim is to increase the number of sustainable products with every season. We are certified according to the Organic Content Standard (OCS) and the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) to ensure appropriate traceability of organic and recycled materials. Please contact us to get further information about our product portfolio.

Yes, we partially still use plastic for packaging. Certain distributors insist on having products packed in plastic for protection of the product. We strive to abandon plastic packaging entirely and will keep you updated about the progress on our website. The product packaging of the underwear of our FALKE Ergonomic Sports System is already free of plastic and made of recycled paper. Hooks made of plastic have already been converted to recyclable material in the ESS division.


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