General Guidelines
Following the guidelines will help increase brand trust and avoid scrutiny:
The brand must use the correct measurement units when presenting results, as per the appendix “Impact declarations”.
The brand must clearly mention what is the functional unit, what is measured, such as an item, a fabric etc.
A definition of each chosen environmental indicator must be clearly accessed by consumers, as per the appendix “Impact declarations”.
All calculations should link to clear explanations regarding the environmental impact assessment methodology. The attached is to be used as guidelines for such explanations. A client may use their own language, but has to receive a written permission to use their version before publishing the results.
A time stamp for each calculation has to be clearly shown along with the results. The results are valid for 12 months only.
Batches – a new order of the same product may result in different indicators due to changes in external factors (such as energy grid factors) and product factors (different shipping mode, changes in the supply chain, etc). By ordering a new batch a new calculation must be initiated and previous calculations are voided.
Conditions
Batches – a new order of the same product may result in different indicators due to changes in external factors (such as energy grid factors) and product factors (different shipping mode, changes in the supply chain, etc). By ordering a new batch a new calculation must be initiated and previous calculations are voided.
Requested disclaimer
Primary Data Disclaimer
We thrive to map our supply chain and understand the way it operates. Our goal is to calculate scope 3 environmental impact of our products based on a high level of personalized data. For this specific product, we deemed the level of primary data to be below our expectation, therefore we had to rely on similar verified supply chain data to complete data gaps.
Note
Personalized data should be linked to the below FAQ:
Q: What constitutes a high level of personalized data?
A: Made2Flow aims to base impact calculations on data collected from tiers 1-4 (final assembly – raw material production). High level of personalized data includes the disclosure of the following suppliers: final assembly, fabric mills and dyeing partners and for each, understanding their energy & water consumption, waste management and machinery in use for producing the specific product.
frequently asked questions
The purpose of this document is to ensure the organization has the information they need to respond to customer and prospect questions
Made2Flow offers validated scope 3 environmental impact measurement solutions for the fashion industry. Made2Flow was founded in Germany by industry veterans and environmental experts. To learn more about Made2Flow and their scalable solutions for the fashion and textile industry, please visit https://www.made2flow.com/solutions
The only way to understand the effect different products have on our environment is by measuring theirenvironmental impact and comparing their environmental indicators (Greenhouse gas emissions, water use, land use and more). Without measuring products’ impact it is impossible to draw conclusions nor to work
towards a positive change.
Impact measurement is based on the Life cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology in conformity with ISO
14040:2016, ISO 14044:2016 and following the latest PEF-CR guidelines. LCA is a scientific methodology for assessing environmental impacts of goods, processes or services. It tracks the condition of the environment by using environmental indicators, a methodical tool that uses measurable variables to describe a complex
environmental issue. There are multiple different midpoints which serve as calculated environmental indicators, – the main ones are greenhouse gas emissions, water use, land use and more.
Made2Flow aims to base impact calculations on data collected from tiers 1-4 (final assembly – raw material production). High level of personalized data includes the disclosure of the following suppliers: final assembly, fabric mills and dyeing partners and for each, understanding their energy & water consumption, waste management and machinery in use for producing the specific product.
Primary data is data directly from the supply chain, whereas secondary data is data from other sources such as previous LCA studies, previously collected primary data, etc. Primary data enables the personalization of Life Cycle assessment.
Made2Flow gathers data related to machine use, energy mix, water use, waste management, chemistry, and more. Made2Flow tracks the different processes that took place across the supply chain with the goal to determine the inputs and outputs of each process.
Made2Flow uses validated secondary data based on previously collected primary data and published LCAs. Made2Flow’s algorithm completes missing data according to its relevance such as time, geography and technology. Continuous data gathering permits to use recent and relevant data both in geography and representative to the specific process and sub processes.
Different electricity grids, even within different provinces, are important factors that influence the final product’s environmental results.
A practical system to track the condition of the environment. An environmental indicator is a methodical tool that uses measurable variables to describe a complex environmental issue. The main and most indicators are GHG (greenhouse gasses), water use and land use, but there are many
more.
Greenhouse gases are those that absorb and emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range emitted by Earth. Measured in Kilogram CO2 equivalent (Kg CO2-eq), they include gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane.
The sum of water used in the direct-process or sub-processes (such as energy generation). Measured in cubic meters (m3).
The environmental impacts of occupying, reshaping and managing land for human purposes. Measured in square meters (m2).
Brands often declare they have reduced or will reduce emissions. When talking about sustainable targets, it is important to understand in which scope the change refers to.
Scope 1 – All direct emissions from the activities of an organization or under their control. Including fleet vehicles, air-conditioning, leaks & fuel combustion on site such as gas boilers.
Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from electricity purchased and used by the organization. Emissions are created during the production of the energy and eventually used by the organization.
Scope 3 – All other indirect emissions from activities of the organization, occurring from sources that they do not own or control. In simple words; the supply chain, the emissions from making the clothes. 70-95% of the
emissions of the fashion industry are in scope 3. Lack of traceability and inability to perform data gathering prevent fashion brands from calculating their scope 3 emissions.
The value chain is divided into 4 main tiers, as follows:
Tier 0 – Direct operations of the brand such as stores, warehouses and offices.
Tier 1 – Final assembly of the items, often referred to as cut & sew facility.
Tier 2 – Preparation and production of subcomponents such as fabrics and trims.
Tier 3 – Process of raw material such as yarn production
Tier 4 – Cultivation, production and extraction of raw materials from earth, plants and animals, such as cotton cultivation, sheep farming or extraction of fossil fuels.