PUMA's SAFE Environmental Concept

PUMA's S.A.F.E. Concept creates a symbiotic relationship between the environment, employees, business partners and other stakeholders and highlights PUMA's long-standing commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen.

To implement ethical and environmental values into their business strategy, PUMA developed the Social Accountability and Fundamental Environmental Standards (S.A.F.E) Concept. The concept is based on the pillars of transparency, dialogue, sustainability, social accountability and evaluation, and all suppliers are legally bound to follow the strict social and environmental standards detailed in the S.A.F.E Manual.

In 2003 PUMA issued its first Sustainability Report: "Perspective". Perspective lists a number of environmental initiatives that the company has undertaken within itself and among suppliers to assess its environmental impact in the product and in production and to strive towards a sustainable business operation. The report states that:
·PUMA is maintaining production-related environmental standards, which include restrictions on substances such as Heavy Metals, Azo-Dyes, Disperse Dyes, Chlorophenols, Formaldehydes and Organotin compounds.
·PUMA has elected to apply the 'precautionary principle' as defined by the United Nations Rio Declaration in 1992, which states that a "precautionary approach shall be allied" where there are "threats of serious or irreversible damage" and "lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation." Hence, although there are no legal restrictions for Organotin compounds, PUMA is working towards limiting its use over suspicions that it has a negative influence on the hormone system of certain animals.
·PUMA is working on phasing out PVC from their entire product range as softeners contained in PVC products can harm human health and incinerated PVC releases toxins. PUMA products are already 98-99% PVC free.
·PUMA has introduced a waste management and recycling section within the S.A.F.E concept making supplier accountable for the storage, sorting and disposal of their waste as well as promoting the 'reduction, recycling and reuse' of garbage. Currently about 70% of suppliers sort their waste for reuse or recycling.
·PUMA's recycling activities include reuse of fabric waste for other purposes such as filling material for cushions, the recycling of plastic cones used to hold the yarn at embroidery machines or the recycling of paper and cardboard.
·Other production related sections of the S.A.F.E manual cover (a) ozone depleting substances, which are generally excluded from PUMA products, (b) the necessary treatment of wastewater before any discharge into the aquatic environment; and (c) regulations for the storage of liquid substances that may harm the environment.
·In footwear production PUMA concentrates on the minimal use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) found in glues and cleaning solvents that can harm human health and the environment.
·Regular audits are carried out at PUMA's suppliers and licensees that ensure that the requirements of their Code of Conduct and S.A.F.E manual are being met.

To read the complete "Perspective" report, see the PUMA website at:
http://about.puma.com/puma.jsp?type=company&parent=12&id=12&lang=eng

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