Responsible chemistry

Responsible chemical management starts long before a product reaches the customer. As a global manufacturer of sewing and embroidery threads, AMANN has a responsibility to manage the chemicals used throughout its value chain in a way that supports product safety, environmental protection and regulatory compliance.

From dyes and auxiliaries to finishing agents, AMANN evaluates the substances used in its products and production processes. Our approach combines regulatory requirements, internationally recognized industry standards, supplier collaboration and continuous improvement.

Chemical management means systematically identifying, assessing and controlling chemicals used in products and manufacturing processes to reduce risks to people and the environment and ensure compliance with applicable requirements. AMANN's approach combines regulatory requirements, industry standards, supplier collaboration and continuous improvement.

AMANN's chemical management focuses on:

• Reducing substances of concern and hazardous chemicals
• Continuously evaluating safer alternatives
• Ensuring responsible handling of chemicals throughout production
• Monitoring regulatory and customer requirements
• Increasing transparency across the value chain

Chemical management is supported by close collaboration with qualified suppliers and systematic evaluation of the substances used in our products and manufacturing processes.

Many brands and manufacturers define Restricted Substance Lists (RSLs) that specify substances that must be restricted or avoided in finished products. These requirements complement legal regulations and help companies manage product safety and supply chain risks.

AMANN continuously reviews applicable regulations and customer requirements to ensure that our products comply with relevant restricted substance requirements.

In addition to RSLs, manufacturing processes are subject to Manufacturing Restricted Substance Lists (MRSLs). While RSLs focus on substances restricted in finished products, MRSLs address substances that should not be intentionally used in manufacturing processes.

This distinction is particularly relevant for responsible chemical management across the textile value chain.

The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) initiative aims to reduce and eliminate hazardous chemicals from textile and footwear manufacturing.

AMANN aligns its chemical management approach with the principles of ZDHC, including the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).

Our Road to Zero strategy applies these principles across our global production network:

• Chemical management standards based on the ZDHC MRSL are implemented at our production sites worldwide.
• We work with qualified suppliers that meet our quality and sustainability requirements.
• Since 2020, we have continuously reduced ZDHC non-compliant substances in our production processes. Today, our compliance rate is 96%.
• Our plants in Vietnam, China and Bangladesh are certified according to ZDHC Level 1, with further locations planned.

AMANN complies with the requirements of the European REACH regulation, including the SVHC Candidate List (Substances of Very High Concern) published by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), as well as the restrictions defined in REACH Annex XVII.

To support responsible chemical use, colourants and additives used in our production are internally recorded and assessed.

In addition, AMANN products are tested for harmful substances by Hohenstein Laboratories according to the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 criteria and certified by OEKO-TEX®. Many of our products fulfil even stricter requirements based on Annex 6, which includes criteria inspired by the Greenpeace Detox campaign.

Responsible chemical management goes beyond meeting today's requirements. Regulations, customer expectations and scientific knowledge continue to evolve.

AMANN therefore continuously evaluates substances, processes and alternative solutions to reduce chemical risks and improve transparency across the value chain.

For customers, this provides greater confidence when selecting products and supports their own efforts to meet regulatory, sustainability and product safety requirements.

For customers, responsible chemical management helps provide confidence that products are manufactured and assessed against defined chemical safety and compliance requirements.

For customers with their own restricted substance requirements, transparent chemical management can also support their efforts to meet product safety, regulatory and sustainability expectations.

Responsible chemical management connects product safety, environmental protection and compliance. AMANN continuously works to reduce chemical risks, improve transparency and adapt to evolving requirements across its value chain.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used for their water-, oil- and stain-repellent properties, including in certain textile applications. At the same time, their high persistence has made them an increasing environmental and regulatory concern.

For AMANN, PFAS are therefore part of responsible chemical management. We assess relevant materials and technologies and explore suitable PFAS-free alternatives where possible.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals with properties such as water, oil and stain repellency. Because many PFAS are highly persistent and can remain in the environment for long periods, their use is subject to increasing regulatory attention and efforts to develop alternatives.

Many PFAS are highly persistent and do not readily break down in the environment. Their properties have made them useful for applications requiring water or stain resistance, but have also led to increasing regulatory scrutiny and efforts to reduce their use.

For textile manufacturers and brands, this makes the choice of materials and finishing technologies increasingly important.

AMANN evaluates materials and finishing technologies with the aim of reducing substances of concern and supporting safer product solutions.

Our approach includes:

• Evaluating raw materials and finishing technologies
• Monitoring relevant regulatory developments
• Considering customer-specific chemical requirements
• Exploring alternatives to substances of concern
• Continuously improving our product portfolio

For selected water-repellent sewing threads, AMANN offers PFAS-free solutions that use alternative technologies instead of fluorinated finishes.

These solutions can help customers reduce their reliance on PFAS in relevant applications and prepare for evolving regulatory and market requirements.

Explore AMANN's PFAS-free product portfolio in our Product Range Brochure or through our Product finder.

PFAS regulations and customer expectations continue to evolve. AMANN therefore continues to monitor developments and evaluate alternative technologies that can deliver the required product performance while reducing the use of substances of concern.

PFAS management is one part of AMANN's broader commitment to responsible chemistry and continuous improvement across the value chain.

PFAS are highly persistent chemicals used for properties such as water and stain repellency. AMANN therefore evaluates alternatives and offers PFAS-free solutions for selected water-repellent sewing thread applications.

Curious to learn more?

→ Which sustainability regulations exist?

→ How does AMANN ensure responsible sourcing?

→ Which certifications does AMANN have?

Technical terms

• Responsible chemical management
• Responsible chemistry
• Sustainable chemical management
• Textile chemical management
• Chemical safety in textiles
• Restricted substances management
• Hazardous chemical management
• Chemical compliance in textile manufacturing
• PFAS-free textile solutions

• Safer chemical alternatives

   

Common descriptions

People often search for:
 

• What is responsible chemical management?
• What is chemical management in the textile industry?
• How are chemicals managed in textile manufacturing?
• What are Restricted Substances Lists (RSLs)?
• What is the difference between RSL and MRSL?
• What is the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List?
• What are the REACH requirements for textile products?
• What is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100?
• What are PFAS and why are they a concern?
• Are PFAS used in textiles?
• What are PFAS-free textile materials?
• How can textile manufacturers reduce hazardous chemicals?
• How can brands ensure chemical compliance in their supply chains?

• What are alternatives to PFAS in water-repellent textiles?

   

Alternative terminology

Different industries and software providers may use slightly different terminology.

• Chemical risk assessment
• Chemical compliance
• Restricted substances
• Manufacturing chemical management
• Safer chemical alternatives
• Textile chemical safety
• Fluorine-free finishes
• PFAS-free finishes
• Sustainable textile processing
• Chemical transparency