G-Star RAW
Since its creation in 1989, G-Star RAW’s philosophy has always been, ‘Just the Product.’ This single-minded approach has led to many denim ‘firsts’: the introduction of ‘luxury denim for the streets,’ by fusing high-level craftsmanship with street level edge to create a new denim sector; the positioning of raw, untreated denim as a wearable and desirable material; and the evolution of their distinctive denim silhouette, through the adoption of architectural and 3-D thinking into denim construction.
G-Star RAW´s ambition is to improve the social and environmental impact of their products and give back to the communities in countries where they produce. The brand collaborates with expert partners to accelerate change and develop sustainable solutions for the future of fashion. All sustainability initiatives are part of the ongoing RAW Responsibility journey.
Their approach to sustainability has evolved and improved over the years. The long-term focus includes key sustainability priorities specified in goals for 2025 and long-term ambitions for 2030. These are commitments built on many foundations, such as risk assessments covering the different phases of the value chain and the use of sustainable materials in the collection. Working with different industry partners and tools such as the Higg Index of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and the programs of Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals with their suppliers, has ensured that G-Star RAW can measure and track impact, and scale across the value chain. The brand reports annually on its progress and achievement through the G-Star RAW Sustainability report.
People
When it comes to the people in the supply chain, the key focus is on achieving fair, safe and healthy working conditions, as well as protecting human rights. G-Star RAW engages in key industry partnerships and makes use of tools such as the Higg Index Facility Social & Labor Module (Higg FSLM) to monitor working conditions.
G-Star RAW has a clear understanding of the social risks within our supply chain and run programs on:
Workers´ rights. To improve fair, safe and healthy working conditions in our supply chain, we work closely with our suppliers. Latest highlights:
70% of the Tier 1 cut-make-trim factories completed the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (Higg FSLM) self-assessment.
70% of the direct suppliers have been trained in social dialogue, grievances and worker committees.
2025 GOAL: Improve current complaint systems towards global independency and confidentiality, to strengthen workers voices in G-Star RAW supply chain
Fair wages. A minimum wage is the lowest wage permitted by law in any given country, this doesn’t always suffice for a normal standard of living. That is why we joined ACT on Living Wages. Latest highlights:
Collaborated with Better Buying initiative to gain insight in how to improve G-Star’s purchasing practices.
Joined ACT (Action, Collaboration, Transformation) to support living wages through collective bargaining.
2025 GOAL: Work towards an industry wide agreement on regional living wages and support implementation in G-Star RAW production Countries.
Planet
G-Star RAW takes responsibility for any potential environmental impact across all stages of their value chain. The brand considers everything from the choice of raw materials and fibers to responsible fabric and garment production and logistics, from our own operations, all the way through to consumer care and end-of-life of the product. G-Star RAW has a clear understanding of the environmental risks and runs programs on:
Circularity. For longevity as a denim brand in the future, designs need to be made in “closed loops” today. This means using only sustainable materials, clean chemistry and ensuring that garments are designed for reuse. Latest highlights:
Increased the use of sustainable materials to 93% of the total collection (e.g. organic cotton, Better Cotton, TENCEL™ branded Lyocell fibers, recycled polyester.
Launched the world’s 1st black denim to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certification™.
GOAL 2025: 20% of the entire G-Star RAW collection will be made from Cradle to Cradle Certified™ fabrics.
Sustainable materials. The brand is committed to ensuring that all raw materials used in the products are grown and manufactured in a responsible way that preserves resources and respects human and animal rights. Latest highlights:
Right now 93% of all the materials used is sustainable sourced.
Today, 99% of the cotton used is sustainably sourced (organic and BCI sourced cotton).
GOAL 2025: 75% of the collection will be made from recycled, organic, bio-based or compostable materials.
GOAL 2030: 100% of the collection will be made from recycled and/or organic/bio-based/compostable materials.
Climate change. With a focus on climate impact, the brand also works on their supply chain and consumer engagement, while at the same time taking steps in the offices and stores. Latest highlights:
Deployed the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) tool to understand the carbon impact in the supply chain.
Signed up to the UN Fashion Charter for Climate Action.
Built an inventory of scope 1 and 2 emissions.
GOAL 2025: Reduce 15% of GHG emissions by 2025
GOAL 2030: Reduce 30% of GHG emissions by 2030
Pollution. Minimizing pollution and the environmental impact of hazardous chemicals have been a major priority for G- Star RAW since signing the DETOX Commitment with Greenpeace in 2013. Latest highlights:
a 95% average supplier compliance to the G-Star RAW DETOX program
These suppliers represent 85% of our production volume
GOAL 2030: Phase out all unsustainable chemical applications in G-Star RAW products.
Philanthropy
Through the GSRD Foundation the brand wants to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of people in countries where G-Star RAW produces. Together with their partners they provide education and stimulate entrepreneurship through philanthropic efforts, including training and coaching.
The GSRD Foundation´s mission is to positively impact people and communities in the countries where its products are made, by supporting young people, together with its partners, through education, training and coaching. Vocational training and education for young people, focusing on knowledge and skills that will help them improve their prospects of learning a trade or a profession and thus of having a better future. Life-skills training and coaching for young people, to help them to become independent, seize the initiative where they can, and leverage opportunities to become more self-sufficient, either as proactive employees or through self-employment.
Transparency
To deliver on its strategy, G-Star RAW enables external stakeholders to hold it accountable when it comes to assessing its data-backed sustainability performance. This includes transparent reporting. The first sustainability scorecard was developed with MADE-BY in 2013, and this progressed to a MODE tracker disclosure in 2015 until 2017. Since 2018 the brand reports using the Higg Brand and Retail ‘Beta’ Module (BRM). This is the most commonly used tool in the apparel sector to measure the environmental and social impacts, enabling meaningful improvements.
In 2020, G-Star RAW produced a 2019 Sustainability Report that meets the reporting requirements of the Dutch Agreement on a Sustainable Garments and Textiles, of which the brand is a signatory, and to follow the OECD Due diligence guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. It focused on the 2020 strategy and 2019 progress.
Providing oversight of the supply chain is part of its commitment to the apparel sector’s Transparency Pledge. For five years, G-Star RAW has made its Manufacturing Map public – so anyone can trace the origin of a G-Star RAW product, now covering approximately 95% of its production volume (this differs per season). In addition to the map, further details are published on the direct suppliers, processing facilities and nominated fabric mills in the Manufacturing List, which is available on the Open Apparel Registry, an open source tool, which maps garment factories worldwide.
Based: Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ships to: Worldwide.
Products: Denim-based clothing and shoes for men and women.
Mission: To inspire people to be game-changers by being one ourselves. G-Star RAW has three core values that capture our philosophy today: Real, honest and authentic.
Vision: Future-proofing denim by investing in sustainable innovation and incorporating it in everything we do.
