CEO STATEMENT MOVING FORWARD Between alarming scientific reports and student strikes our newsfeeds have been filled with climate and sustainability-related updates. Sustainability seems to resonate more than ever and in the world of fashion it’s slowly becoming fashionable to be sustainable. Still times are surreal. The corona virus pandemic took us by surprise and changed our world, lives and not least how we do business. HOPE IN THE DARK But hope can be found, even in the darkest of times. Crisis is a catalyst for change, and it forces all of us to take a step back and reflect. As a result, new business models are disrupting the industry and challenging traditional ways of producing - faster than we could ever imagine or hope for. Improvements in products and operations are flourishing and innovation within measurement of impact and reporting tools creates new opportunities for brands to articulate their progress and build trust through transparency. It all indicates that the fashion industry is moving forward, and at COZE AARHUS, we are both dedicated and proud to be a part of that change. sustainable consumption and production patterns by producing long-lasting products using more sustainable materials and production processes. ONE STEP AT A TIME Through our achievements during the fiscal year (May 2019 - April 2020), we have defined our own policies, expanded our Nordic Swan Ecolabel product range, achieved an almost 100% OEKOTEX® STANDARD 100 certification ratio and got our first EIM score to measure water, energy and chemical use in production. Also, we performed academy training both live and digital to coach our salespeople and customers in sustainable methods and decisions. We have set ambitious goals and within the next two years we continue to focus on the following achievements: 1. In every new collection we want to transition from using conventionally produced cotton to cotton fibres that are grown, processed and certified according to organic standards. NOTHING IS 100% SUSTAINABLE But there is no such thing as 100% sustainable fashion. Everything produced has an environmental and social price and we still have a long journey ahead of us. That’s why COZE AARHUS has been supporting the UN Global Compact since 2014 and continues to promote initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to the 10 principles. We also continue to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and are still devoted to achieving the SDG goal 8, which involves the promotion of decent work and economic growth through long-term partnerships with our suppliers. We also reaffirm our contribution to the SDG goal 12 of ensuring 2. In every new collection we want to transition from using conventionally obtained wood pulp used for viscose to viscose made of wood pulp derived from certified renewed (FSC or PEFC) wood sources. 3. We want to find and incorporate an alternative, safe solution to plastic in terms of all packaging. Last year we were looking ahead, this year we are moving forward. Risskov, June 2020 Cecilia Winther CEO, COZE AARHUS
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