SUSTAINABILITY
SUSTAINABILITY
Avainlippu
AVAINLIPPU on rekisteröity yhteisömerkki. Merkki kertoo, että tuote on valmistettu ja työllistää Suomessa. Avainlippu-merkki on myönnetty North Outdoorille Ouluun valmistuneen, yrityksen oman neulomon myötä 14.12.2021. Oulun neulomossa valmistetaan North Outdoorin Nature-malliston merinovillapaidat ja -asusteet.
Design from Finland
The DESIGN FROM FINLAND label signifies the origin and commitment to professional Finnish design. The usage of the label is overseen by the Association for Finnish Work. North Outdoor was awarded this label on April 19, 2018.
The appreciation for Finnish work, lifestyle, and nature is at the core of North Outdoor's activities. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for us to design and test all our products amidst the Finnish coniferous trees. Additionally, all knitwear in the Nature collection is produced in Finland. Our main office is located in Oulu, where we have constructed our own knitting mill alongside a warehouse and logistics center—an exceptional investment in the clothing industry. Our modern machinery and top textile experts ensure that the world's best merino clothing is designed and manufactured in Finland.
Mulesing-Free Merino Wool
The merino wool used by North Outdoor is MULESING-FREE. Mulesing is a surgical procedure used by Australian sheep farmers, involving the removal of a piece of loose skin from around the sheep's buttocks. The formation of a scar prevents blowflies from infesting and laying eggs on the sheep's skin. The procedure, when done without anesthesia, is painful for the sheep. For this reason, our merino wool comes from farms that do not practice mulesing.
Oeko-Tex ® Standard 100
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is an international, consistent testing and certification system for textiles. The certificate, issued by an independent research institute, ensures that North Outdoor's products do not contain substances harmful to health in direct contact with the skin.
Woolmark ®
WOOLMARK® is a global expert company that guarantees the high quality of merino wool. The company's logo is one of the world's most well-known and respected trademarks. In North Outdoor products, the merino wool content is indicated by the Woolmark labels Pure New Wool (100% merino wool) and Wool Rich Blend (49.9%–99.9% merino wool). The merino wool sweaters and accessories from Oulu knitting mill bear the label Merino Extra Fine. The products from our own knitting mill are 100% merino wool.
Amfori BSCI in a nutshell
AMFORI BSCI supports its member companies in promoting ethics and social responsibility within their international supply chains. The initiative relies on BSCI's ethical principles, and its implementation system is based on well-known international agreements such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, and OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. BSCI enhances its and its members' operations through audits, training, communication, and advocacy.
Responsibility and amfori BSCI
North Outdoor has been a member of amfori BSCI since 2019. Formerly known as the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), amfori BSCI is a global initiative aimed at improving working conditions in international supply chains. In our case, we aim to influence our merino wool and packaging factories in China positively. Through this initiative, North Outdoor is better positioned to ensure responsible practices concerning working conditions.
As a member company, we commit to adhering to amfori BSCI's ethical rules, which are integrated into our supply chain operations and continually improved. The principles address issues such as the prohibition of child labor and forced labor, occupational health, safe working conditions, non-discrimination, environmental protection, special protection for young workers, and workers' rights to organize and bargain.
North Outdoor's operations in China
Although North Outdoor's orders from China are relatively small, amfori BSCI's principles are the most effective way to positively impact local business practices and work culture. These principles serve as the foundation for collaboration even when our Chinese factory produces items for other companies. We systematically collaborate with our supply chain producers, guiding them toward practices aligned with BSCI's principles to improve working conditions.
North Outdoor and factory monitoring
The products in North Outdoor's Nature collection are manufactured in a Finnish factory, while other products are made in China. We regularly visit all the factories we use, and we have hired a local employee who maintains continuous communication with the Chinese factories. This aims to strengthen collaboration and communication with the factories.
North Outdoor and factory monitoring
The Chinese factories undergo audits conducted by a third party approved by Social Accountability International (SAI). Before the audit, the factory conducts a self-assessment following the BSCI model. Subsequently, an audit is carried out by an impartial entity approved by SAI in China. Professional third-party audits enhance transparency and reliability. Based on the audit findings, a plan for corrective actions can be developed.
We closely monitor the audit reports of the factories we use. The average score for the factories North Outdoor employs is C (acceptable), with many areas receiving scores of A (very good) and B (good). The only reason for the C grade is the seasonal overtime worked by the factory's employees, resulting in a score of D (insufficient).
North Outdoor and factory monitoring
Our factories provide employees with ample opportunities for input, and the extended working hours are also a preference of the workers themselves. Seasonal production demands lead to overtime availability, which is compensated appropriately. Overtime in the factories we use is voluntary, paid work rather than forced labor.
Yarns and the origin countries of merino wool
In the Intense pro, All day, Active, Sensitive, and Arctic collections, North Outdoor uses yarns produced by Südwolle Group. Südwolle Group manufactures 100% wool yarns as well as wool blend yarns. The origin of the wool used by North Outdoor is Australia, and it is sourced exclusively from MULESING-FREE practices. Südwolle Group emphasizes environmental conservation and social responsibility in all its operations. The company is renowned for high quality, environmental friendliness, and excellent personnel management. The company's organic products are produced transparently and responsibly. Established in 1966, Südwolle's headquarters are in Nuremberg, Germany. Employing 3200 people globally, the company's factories are located in Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and China. The premium Südwolle Group yarns used by North Outdoor are Woolmark and Oeko-Tex certified.
Yarns and the origin countries of merino wool
The yarns for the Nature collection's merino wool sweaters and accessories are manufactured at the Lanerossi Filati spinning mill in Italy. The wool's origin is South America and South Africa, where the mulesing method is not practiced. The wool used by North Outdoor is always sourced from MULESING-FREE practices. Lanerossi Filati emphasizes responsibility and sustainable development in all its operations. The entire production value chain from wool to yarn takes place in the EU area. The high-quality Lanerossi Filati yarns used by North Outdoor are Woolmark and Oeko-Tex certified.
