Environmental and Sustainability Policy

Environmental & Sustainability Policy

Our Commitment

At Yumi International, we are committed to operating in a way that respects and protects the environment while supporting the well-being of the people within our supply chain. Our mission is to create beautiful fashion with responsibility, minimizing our environmental footprint and fostering sustainable practices throughout our operations.

We recognize that fashion has an impact on the environment, and we are determined to work collaboratively with our suppliers, partners, and stakeholders to drive positive change.

Our Environmental Principles

  1. Responsibility: Yumi International is dedicated to reducing our environmental impact and conducting our business in an environmentally responsible and efficient manner.

  2. Collaboration: We expect all our suppliers, manufacturers, and partners to share our commitment to protecting the environment.

  3. Ownership: Our suppliers are responsible for managing their own environmental impacts. We support them in meeting and exceeding these responsibilities.

  4. Continuous Improvement: We expect ongoing improvements in environmental practices beyond compliance with local laws and aim to meet or exceed international standards.

  5. Legal and Ethical Compliance: Where discrepancies arise between our policy and local laws, we expect suppliers to adopt the higher standard that provides the greatest environmental benefit.

  6. Transparency: We believe in open communication and accountability in reporting environmental performance across our supply chain.

Environmental Standards and Requirements

1. Environmental Management Systems

  • Suppliers must have a written environmental management plan with clear goals and measurable targets.

  • Assign responsibility within the organization for monitoring and managing environmental performance.

  • Regularly measure, track, and report environmental impacts.

2. Water Stewardship

  • Measure, monitor, and reduce water usage from all sources (municipal, groundwater, surface water).

  • Maintain valid permits for water usage and ensure legal compliance.

  • Implement water-saving initiatives and set targets for reduction.

  • Ensure wastewater is treated appropriately before discharge in accordance with local laws or better.

3. Hazardous Chemicals Management

  • Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all chemicals used onsite.

  • Provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in the local language for all hazardous materials.

  • Store chemicals safely with proper labelling, secondary containment, and emergency response procedures.

  • Train workers in safe chemical handling.

  • Work towards eliminating hazardous substances by substituting safer alternatives wherever possible.

  • Comply with Yumi International's Restricted Substances List (RSL).

4. Wastewater Management

  • All wastewater must be treated via a functioning effluent treatment plant (ETP) either on-site or via authorized off-site facilities.

  • Regular testing and documentation of wastewater quality, including parameters like COD, BOD, pH, and heavy metals, must be maintained.

  • Ensure all permits are valid and records are kept for a minimum of 12 months.

5. Sustainable Raw Materials

  • Cotton used in Yumi products must not originate from Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan and must be traceable to the country of origin.

  • Wood-based fibres (such as viscose, modal, lyocell) must be sourced responsibly and must not originate from ancient or endangered forests.

  • Mica and other minerals must be traceable to avoid contributing to child labour and unsafe working conditions.

  • Maintain transparency and traceability for all raw materials to the country level for natural fibres and to the production facility level for synthetics.

6. Air Emissions

  • Identify all sources of air emissions and ensure appropriate controls are in place.

  • Operate within valid air emissions permits and maintain test records.

  • Install and maintain air filtration or extraction systems where needed.

  • Develop and implement plans to progressively reduce emissions.

7. Solid Waste Management

  • Implement waste management systems focused on reducing, reusing, and recycling wherever possible.

  • Ensure hazardous waste is handled by licensed contractors and disposed of in compliance with local and international laws.

  • Maintain documentation of all waste movements and disposal.

Our Approach Moving Forward

  • We are committed to working closely with our suppliers, partners, NGOs, and industry bodies to improve sustainability within the fashion supply chain.

  • Yumi International will continue to invest in research, innovation, and training to reduce environmental impacts and offer more sustainable products to our customers.

  • We strive for transparency in our journey toward a more sustainable future and will regularly review and update our policies to reflect evolving best practices.

Conclusion

At Yumi International, sustainability is not an option—it’s our responsibility. We are dedicated to fostering ethical, environmentally responsible practices not just within our own operations but throughout our global supply chain.