Xinxiang Chemical Fiber (Bailu) has completed its first CanopyStyle audit which has found that the company has made efforts to increase its use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified fibre. The company is one of China’s leading producers of filament yarn, and the fifth company with headquarters in China to complete the CanopyStyle Audit.
The audit has been carried out by environmental not-for-profit organisations Canopy, and third-party non-profit certification body NEPCon.Xinxiang Chemical Fiber (Bailu) has completed its first CanopyStyle audit which has found that the company has made efforts to increase its use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified fibre. The company is one of China's leading producers of filament yarn, and the fifth company with headquarters in China to complete the CanopyStyle Audit. #
The audit report verifies that Xinxiang Chemical Fiber (Bailu) has taken immediate action to remove known high risks in their supply chain, and to engage suppliers that have potential risk. The audit was unable to fully determine an overall result of low risk of sourcing wood from ancient and endangered Forests due to lack of information from some if its dissolving pulp suppliers.
The audit also reveals that the company has made efforts to increase its use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified fibre, and has made significant investment in research and development of alternative fibres, which will reduce pressure on the world’s forests. Xinxiang Chemical Fiber (Bailu) sources from a wide variety of regions including Europe and North America, and is working to engage its suppliers in these regions to lower their footprint and help protect ancient and endangered Forests.
“Canopy congratulates Bailu on its determination to address risk in its supply chain, and its work on research and development of next generation fibre solutions,” said Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s executive director. “The growing momentum in China to eliminate the use of ancient and endangered forests is changing the game in the global viscose supply chain.”
“NEPCon is pleased to be the independent auditing body for the CanopyStyle initiative and in particular making it possible to meet the growing demand for CanopyStyle audits throughout Asia,” stated Jon Jickling, director, NEPCon Solutions. “Xinxiang Chemical Fiber (Bailu) was committed to this third-party assessment of its raw material sourcing.”
“We are proud of our first audit results, and committed to continuing to improve our practices by working collaboratively through the CanopyStyle initiative,” said Jizhang Chen, director of Import and Export Department at Xinxiang Chemical Fiber. “The audit provides a good opportunity to identify both areas of excellence and areas where improvement is needed over time. We are pleased to have completed this key milestone, as expected by the 200 fashion brands engaged in CanopyStyle.”
The audit reveals evidence confirming that Xinxiang Chemical Fiber (Bailu) is investing resources to implement the commitments of its policy, consistent with the solutions and targets of the CanopyStyle initiative.
Some of the suppliers listed are sourcing from geographic areas that are in proximity to ancient and endangered forests, and more information on their sourcing is needed to confirm low risk, the audit report says.
Xinxiang Chemical Fiber (Bailu) has invested considerable resources in the development of alternative fibres, aimed to reduce the pressure of the global viscose industry on the world’s forests, it adds.
Moving forward, the report suggests the company could improve its annual audit results by updating its risk assessment to include information on plantation dates for all suppliers that use plantation fibre, as well as procedures for ensuring human rights are respected, continuing to engage suppliers where risk of sourcing from ancient and endangered forests remains unclear due to lack of sourcing information, and continuing to increase the amount of fibre sourced that is certified to FSC and carrying FSC claims.
Participation in ongoing regular audits, and/or random site visits will be essential to ensure that Xinxiang Chemical Fiber (Bailu) continues to implement their policy, and meet the expectations of the CanopyStyle initiative, the audit report says.
The audit uses a risk-based approach and requires verifiable evidence that wood and pulp used by Xinxiang Chemical Fiber (Bailu) to produce viscose fibre fulfils a robust verification framework and audit process developed by Canopy in partnership with NEPCon.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)
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