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RSLs – Why? Compliance Expectations. Sridhar Thiagarajan Levi Strauss & Co. RSLs – Why?. Regulatory burden growing Green consumerism rising Brands with RSL increasing Leverage resources through partnerships Ownership of chemical product safety at all levels is a must
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RSLs – Why? Compliance Expectations Sridhar Thiagarajan Levi Strauss & Co.
RSLs – Why? • Regulatory burden growing • Green consumerism rising • Brands with RSL increasing • Leverage resources through partnerships • Ownership of chemical product safety at all levels is a must • Factory self-governance of chemical product safety is required
Chemical Use • From cotton plantation to finished garment, 14,000 potential chemicals • Chemicals used on garments may have direct skin contact • Chemicals may pollute air, land, or water • Managing Risk is Important!
What is an RSL? Why? • Chemical substances either: • Prohibited from use • Limited in the product • Restricted in manufacturing • Legislation • NGO • Consumer / worker protection
Public Magazine Story Poisonous Cord • Found: 408 ppm benzidine • Law: 30 ppm In the blue cord of a child’s sweater, the quantities of aromatic amines were so high that it could not be sold.
Consumer Protection • Types of consumer reactions: • Skin irritation • Sensitization • Cancer • Respiratory irritation • Dyes, Resins, Solvents
To Act Responsibly… • You must know: • Why failures occur? • How failures occur? • What is inside the chemical? • Who has the information?
End of Life What you put in is coming out!
At Factory, We Expect… • Communication • Record of chemicals used • Production control • Necessary information regarding chemicals used • Responsible person (chemist)
Chemical Companies The must know what their products contain… But, you need to ask! If they don’t know, don’t use them!
Chemical Information Know what you are using: Pre-treatment Dyeing / Printing Finishing Wetting agents Every chemical must be reviewed
Chemical Information • Require for ALL Chemicals: • MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) RSL Compliance Declaration • If Chemical Supplier: • Has no MSDS Won’t sign RSL declaration Needs to test chemical They don’t know You can’t be responsible Don’t use it!
To Fulfill RSL Expectations • Understand RSL requirements • Communicate and ask questions • Obtain information from chemical suppliers • Know and control your chemicals • Test products when required by brand or when in doubt
Summary • RSLs Help To: • Comply with the law • Protect the consumer • Protect the environment • Meet NGO concerns • Protect business
Thank You! Sridhar Thiagarajan Asia Product Safety Manager Levi Strauss & Co. +91 (44) 5218.1301 sthiagarajan@levi.com