CSR

Corporate

Social Responsibility

The term sustainability cannot be ignored in the fashion industry these days. We are aware of the fashion industry's negative impact on people and the planet. As a brand, we feel the need to take responsibility. We do not identify as a sustainable brand; by definition, the fashion industry is not sustainable. However, we are committed to making better choices every day.

Our "Let's Act" programme takes you through the steps we have taken thus far, as well as future steps we will take to reduce our impact on the environment. We focus on three key areas: the product, the production chain, and the head office.

PRODUCT

The Product

Our product is central to our business, and whenever possible, we use more sustainable fibers, as outlined below. We also pay close attention to our packaging choices.

You can recognize our Let's Act products by the additional orange hangtag. Click on the link below to see all the products that follow our Let's Act program.

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Material

Material

 

The use of sustainable materials is constantly evolving. We strive to grow the use of sustainable materials in each collection and we aim to continue this in an upward trend. See below some examples of the materials we use as a more sustainable option.

 

- LENZING™

A part of our collection is produced with LENZING ECOVERO™, TENCEL™ Modal, or TENCEL™ Lyocell. You can recognize these products by the additional hangtag.

• LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers are certified with the widely recognized EU Ecolabel for textile products (license no. AT/016/001). This label is awarded to products that meet high environmental standards. Key criteria for evaluation include production processes limiting the usage of substances harmful to human health or the environment, and minimizing key environmental impacts. The wood used as raw material for all LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers is sourced from controlled or certified origins meeting FSC® or PEFC standards.*

• TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fiber production processes are continuously refined to maximize resource efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Consequently, carbon emissions and water consumption of TENCEL™ fibers are at least 50% lower compared to generic lyocell and modal fibers, according to Higg MSI.**

 

LENZING™ ECOVERO™ and TENCEL™ are trademarks of Lenzing AG.

*FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC (PEFC/06-33-92) certification.

**Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.8).

 

- Recycled polyester

Recycled polyester is made from recycled plastic, most commonly sourced from plastic bottles. Producing recycled polyester requires fewer resources compared to regular polyester. The synthetic padding used in our coats and jackets is always made from recycled polyester.

We recognize that using recycled polyester is not without challenges. We are aware that microplastics may be released during production, use, and washing processes. Additionally, recycling polyester back to clothing comes with difficulty. We are continuously searching for alternatives to polyester, but for some products, its unique characteristics still remain essential to the product for the moment.

  

- Animal welfare

We only use certified down and mohair, ensuring better practices for the treatment of animals. Additionally, we never use real fur, we only use artificial fur.

Packaging Material

Packaging materials

 

60% of our suppliers use solely recycled polyester as plastic packaging for our products. By the end of 2025 we aim it to be 80% of our suppliers. We try to use as little packaging material as possible. However, the safety of our product is key, therefore in some cases it isn't possible to reduce the amount of packaging material used. In our warehouse we separate all plastic packaging waste, which is collected by Renewi for recycling.

Restricted substance list

Restricted Substances List

 

A Restricted Substances List (RSL) was formulated towards the end of 2023 to prevent chemical pollutants from entering our clothing collections. All our current and future suppliers are obligated to comply in order to start a partnership with us. We check our bulk production via random chemical testing.

 

Click on the link below to see our RSL list.

RSL

SUPPLIERS

Suppliers &

Production Chain

To better understand where we need improvement in our supply chain, it is crucial to increase its transparency. Our suppliers play a vital role in our success and we strive to build long-term partnerships. Learn more about the steps we have taken so far to enhance our supply chain.

Retraced

Retraced

 

At the end of 2023, we partnered with Retraced. This is an online platform that, among other things, is going to help us make our production chain more transparent. In 2024 for instance, we started inventorying our main suppliers. Via the platform, we can request and track certificates. For our Spring/Summer 2025 collection, we tracked our largest orders to gain a clearer understanding of which sub-suppliers are involved in producing our products. In 2025, we will start creating a product passport for 250 items. This largely involves tracing the entire production process from raw material to garment. We strive for transparency to gain insight into our product and production chain and to be able to apply targeted improvements.

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

 

We formulated our Code of Conduct at the end of 2023. This is a contract that stipulates rules of conduct and conditions that our suppliers must meet in order to start a partnership with us.

 

Click on the link below to see our Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct

Working conditions

Working Conditions

 

As part of the rules of conduct and conditions mentioned in our Code of Conduct, we require our suppliers to have a valid social research report. This could be a report from amfori BSCI, SMETA or WRAP. We have been a member of the amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) since 2018. This involves an audit by an independent organisation at the factory every year or every 2 years. During this audit social conditions at the factory are assessed (e.g. no discrimination, no child labour, fair wages, working hours, health, hygiene & safety).

RINO & PELLE

HEADOFFICE

Read here to learn more about how we are consciously working on reducing our environmental impact at our head office.

Head office

Head office

 

Read here to learn more about how we are consciously working on reducing our environmental impact at our head office.

 

- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Since 1 July 2023, all producers of textiles (clothing and household textiles) in the Netherlands are responsible for the waste phase of their products. EPR means that producers (importers included) are financially (and often organisationally) responsible for the waste management of the products they place on the market. By 2025, at least 50% of all textiles marketed in the Netherlands must be recycled or sold on as a second-hand item. The target increases to 75% by 2030.

 

To meet this obligation, Rino&Pelle joined Stichting UPV Textile in June 2023.

 

- Made to order

Made-to-order means that we produce around 80% of our entire production based on only the volume of orders we receive from our retailers. This prevents wasting materials and energy unnecessarily. The remaining 20% is carefully sourced for our webshop and acts as stock for repeat orders from our retailers. The small amount of items that is left unsold during the season, is procured by stock buyers.

 

- In-house head office atelier

This allows us to repair clothing with a defect for subsequent wear.

 

- Sales Office Lijnden

Since 2023 we have our own sales office in Lijnden. We have particularly chosen this office as it is located in a building that has an A++++ energy rating. Which means it has a geothermal heating/cooling, a heat pump, solar panels and charging stations.