The Materials+ Sustainability Progamme was launched by APLF to recognise exhibitors at Materials+ who have implemented a policy in line with Corporate Social Responsibility.
A Council of international and independent experts is responsible for evaluating the sustainability compliance of exhibitors for their quality management, environmental management, energy management, health and safety management, working conditions, hazardous chemicals in products, prevention of corruption and global management.
The programme covers exhibitors of chemicals, materials (synthetic, recycled, bio-degradable, natural materials, etc.) and equipment. Exhibitors selected by the Council who have demonstrated sustainable policies and actions will receive a Materials+ Sustainable Programme logo. The logo will be appeared on the selected exhibitor’s physical booth stand, sampleroom online showroom, and they can also use it for their promotions to highlight their achievement.
Here are the exhibitors that have been evaluated as sustainable in their company management:
Year of 2019
Year of 2020
ISO 9001 – Quality management System Certification,
Several of our companies have obtained the ISO 9001 certification relating to quality management. This label indicates that the company has an approach in favor of the quality of its organization in order to better serve its customers.
It is one of the very first steps which demonstrates an awareness of leaders to act in favor of more responsibility in management.
Another label more sophisticated but in the same area is the Six Sigma Certification.
.ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System Certification,
Several of our companies have obtained the ISO 14001 label relating to management of environment in their manufacturing process. This label indicates that the company has an approach in favor of the revention in the environment area.
This a much more sophisticated label, hard to obtain and showing a serious maturity in term of CSR.
ISO 50001 – Energy Management System Certification,
This certificate is delivered to companies committed to addressing their impact, conserving resources and improving the bottom line through efficient energy management.
Other certificates or labels are delivered by international associations and are dedicated to the field of human resources management, such as:
SA 8000
This label is delivered by “Social Accountability International” (SAI) and demonstrates a very good level of responsibility in management of human resources. For example, by excluding any child labour or forced labour, by limiting overtime to the legal level of the country, or even by giving the guarantee of having a legal minimum wage.
BSCI
The Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) is another management system that supports companies to drive social compliance in their global supply chains. BSCI implements the principle international labour standards protecting workers’ rights such as International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions as well as the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Standard 100 by Oeko Tex
STANDARD 100 is proposed by OEKO-TEX® and is dedicated to chemical risk assessment.
This is one of the world’s best-known labels for textiles tested for harmful substances which might be used in fabric, in threads, in button or any component.
It stands for customer confidence and high product safety.
Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
Global Recycled Standard is promoted by Textile Exchange.
The goal of the GRS is to increase use of Recycled materials in products.
It is an international, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled Content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions.
Finally, some other certificates are delivered by international associations and are dedicated to the Global Management of CSR, such as:
UN Global Compact
UN Global Compact is a call from United Nations Organzation, to companies to align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance societal goals.
It is a fairly strong commitment that must come from the top management of the company.
Yves Morin, who will be Chairman of the Council of Experts of the “Materials+ Sustainability Programme”, is French.
He heads the international consulting firm: “Yves Morin Consulting”, dedicated exclusively to the establishment of the Corporate Social Responsibility in companies and organizations of professions in the leather, footwear, leather goods, gloves and fashion industries.
On behalf of the “Conseil National du Cuir – CNC” (French National Leather Council), he is in charge to organize the “Sustainable Leather Forum” in Paris, on September, and is Chairman of the Forum.
Since 2001, he delivers speeches during international conferences worldwide about Corporate Social Responsibility and about Sustainability in these industries.
As one of the very first expert on those topics, since 2004, he is also a visiting Professor at Lyon University – Jean Moulin (France) where he gives a course on “Social audits and Environmental audits” in an MBA curriculum about CSR.
William Wong established Goddess International Limited in 1994. Goddess now is one of the most important manufacturer for indoor slippers worldwide.
In 2002, William started to retail his own indoor slippers in China under the brand “Betta”. Over the years “Betta” has become the most known brand for indoor slippers in China.
In 2010, William also established IFG, Italian Fashion Galleria, which distributes and retails “Made in Italy”shoes and leather accessories in China. IFG now has four shops in Chengdu, China. And IFG was the winner of MICAM award in 2013 at MICAM Milano. IFG is also the strategic partner of the Italian Footwear Association for “Online to Offline” business in China.
William also holds the following positions:
– Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Brands
– Vice President of Hong Kong Footwear Association
– Board Member of the Hong Kong Textile and Training Board
– Advisory Board Member of the RETAILASIA Expo
– Consultant of Shenzhen Retailers Association
Anne Liberati, as a trend forecaster, studies the evolution of socio-cultural trends, identifying weak signals that announce major future trends in order to anticipate new consumer behaviors and help brands to create their future.
Anne specialises in advanced, sustainable materials and components, for the ready-to-wear, shoes and leathergoods markets.
Through the years, she has driven fashion trend information of the PremièreVision Accessories-Modamont fair in Paris. She is now consultant for CTC, the French technical leather centre, and for sustainable brands.
Her strategic and trend research papers help brands and key players in the leather industry for their product development, market research and sustainable innovation.
A sought-after speaker for her keen insights, Anne speaks at conferences and also leads workshops with experienced professionals.
As advanced and sustainable materials consultant she passionately makes APLF Material+ go for sustainability.
We bring leather, material and fashion businesses together: an opportunity to meet and greet face to face. We bring them from all parts of the world so that they can find fresh partners, discover new customers or suppliers and keep ahead of industry developments.
We organise a number of trade exhibitions which focus on fashion and lifestyle: sectors that are constantly in flux, so visitors and exhibitors alike need to be constantly aware both of the changes around them and those forecast for coming seasons.
