SUBJECT PRODUCT

Halfar System specialises in bags, backpacks, straps and textile carriers for the commercial market. At our Bielefeld headquarters, we handle the design, full development, pattern creation, prototyping, production and finishing of our bags. When developing our products, we take into account the needs of our customers as well as all relevant innovations and trends. Complying with legal regulations in production is just as important to us as considering the impact on people and the environment. Our aim is to deliver products that are not only durable and highly functional, but also entirely fit for purpose and appealing to our customers in terms of both look and feel. After all, HALFAR® products are designed to stand the test of time! To this end, we draw on our own expertise, collaborative discussions with colleagues, stakeholders and partners, as well as insights from scientific research. Wherever new materials, methods and processes allow, we use these to develop our products further and increase their added value. We design them with a clear focus on minimum material consumption, try to avoid waste, and design products that are timeless, durable and as repairable as possible. As early as the development phase, we try to factor in how the raw materials can be recycled at the end of the life cycle. In addition to our direct product range, we also offer and design services that make our solutions even more sustainable and durable. Going forward, we remain committed to our understanding that ‘people hold on to attractive, well-crafted products for longer’. We consistently strive to take something good and make it even better!

Resource-efficient product design is the foundation of a sustainable product. It focuses on effectively leveraging durable, high-quality materials, minimising material consumption, and making the production process as smooth and resource-efficient as possible. In addition to focusing on the product’s appearance, the design also optimises the cutting and layering patterns.

The story is the same for all of our products: the longer they are in use, the better their overall footprint. We take this into account throughout the entire development process. Design, function, correct material selection, quality assurance and logistics are all based on the Halfar durability principle. In the interest of sustainability, durable products cut down on resource consumption and the generation of waste. Also, if products are designed to be repairable, this extends their potential lifespan, reduces environmental impact and promotes a culture of reuse and repurposing.

In times of scarce resources and environmental pressures, the use of recycled materials offers a compelling alternative to producing new ones. Fabrics made from or with recycled plastic waste help reduce resource consumption by avoiding the use of new fossil fuels like petroleum and by cutting down on the water consumption associated with growing new cotton. This ideally helps to save emissions and resources while keeping them in circulation for the long term. One of the best known recycling materials is rPET (recycled polythene terephthalate), which is obtained from used plastics. As part of the recycling process, the collected, sorted, cleaned and subsequently granulated plastic base materials are processed into new synthetic fibres, among other uses. These in turn produce new and robust flat fabrics that are also suitable for technical applications and heavier loads. In the context of using recycled synthetic fibre fabrics, we use the GRS label, which looks at the entire production chain of recycled materials. Halfar System has been GRS certified since 2021.

Tested material is more than a symbol for the quality of our bags. It is backed by an intelligent, comprehensive quality assurance system. The renowned Bureau Veritas provides confirmation of this. This independent laboratory tests our bags and backpacks before, during and after production at control sites in Germany and China. Special attention is paid to the safety and legal conformity of the materials used. Chemical components, in particular, must conform to the appropriate EU guidelines (amongst other LFGB and REACH). This includes testing the physical-mechanical properties as well as the durability of materials and finishing processes (e.g. fade resistance or mechanical robustness). Equally important: social dealings with staff at the production sites in Asia, which is founded upon our amfori BSCI social standards.

Generally speaking, external labels can enhance the sustainability of the entire supply chain. They are awarded by independent organisations that specialise in reviewing environmental and social standards of supply chains and have the necessary infrastructure to do so. External labels make it more feasible to ensure safety even in upstream parts of the supply chain and to minimise risks related to environmental violations, labour law breaches and other ethical issues. External labels provide uniform standards for environmental and social responsibility that must be met by certified companies. This facilitates the assessment and selection of suppliers for products where differentiation based on other parameters is limited and the potential for exploitation in long supply chains is high. The use of such labels also signals to customers and stakeholders that the products or services meet certain criteria that are open to all stakeholders and are verified through regular and independent auditing. This increases credibility and trust, which is why we use a selection of recognised standards at Halfar System that are particularly suitable for our company and product portfolio. We also label our stock with the ‘HALFAR tested material’ seal, which confirms the suitability of our goods for market. The following pages provide an overview of the most relevant labels we use:  HALFAR Sustainability report

We ensure that our products and services are ready for market, which means they not only comply with legal requirements, but also often exceed them. Our products are tested for harmful substances by means of an extensive testing system. This means, for instance, we contractually require our suppliers to ensure that none of their supplied goods and products, including packaging materials, contain substances of very high concern (SVHCs) in accordance with Article 33 of the REACH Regulation. We check compliance with this obligation with the involvement of independent accredited laboratories. On the basis of our Halfar testing system, we can also ensure compliance with special industry-specific standards and specifications for our customers on request. Additional tests include the ones we run on the physical and mechanical properties of our products, as well as the durability of the material and workmanship. While we already have our own infrastructure in place for this, we also draw on the expertise of accredited testing laboratories as required.

Our approach to strategic procurement and manufacturing in Asia involves careful consideration of spatial and timing factors. The aim here is to streamline and manage the flow of goods to ensure a smooth and continuous supply. We mitigate any logistical risks by carefully planning ahead and strive to make optimum use of freight capacities. This not only prevents costs, but also ensures that emissions are reduced to a minimum. In the same way, we optimise transport to and from our European manufacturing facilities. Our logistics focus on maximising load efficiency, avoiding empty runs, and preserving resources as key metrics. The availability of storage facilities is also essential for efficient planning of production and procurement. In line with our corporate focus on sustainability, we have invested in a large logistics warehouse. With 7,102 m² of floor space and 11,300 available pallet spaces, not to mention its ideal location in the heart of the largest market in Germany, it has offered optimal conditions that also benefit the environment ever since it opened in 2019. The warehouse was built with sustainability in mind, resulting in significant carbon reductions from the outset. By consolidating warehouses, we have been able to achieve a considerable reduction in travel distances. Read more about our warehouse here.

We are continuously developing our warehouse programme in line with our sustainability strategy. We continue to pursue the approaches outlined in the previous chapter in a considered and purposeful manner, and are not distracted by short-lived, fashionable trends. We do not factor in developments that appear to be sustainable but are not, or at least not yet, ecologically sound. However, we do monitor their development. Examples of this include composites of renewable, natural raw materials with plastics or adhesives, which are currently not recyclable. Should a technology or material emerge that is more sustainable than the current standard and is also scalable, we will incorporate this innovation into our product range development and make it available to our customers. Furthermore, the new solution must provide our customers with an economically viable alternative to the existing market offering, ensuring that the innovation has a tangible impact and positive effects. To identify such solutions, we collaborate with a diverse range of partners, including material suppliers, laboratories, and universities. We engage in regular dialogue with our partner companies and numerous other stakeholders on sustainability and product development topics, enabling us to develop innovative and award-winning approaches and models.

How does greenhouse gas offsetting work? 

Before the offsetting process begins, the greenhouse gases first have to be measured and calculated. This involves defining system limits and determining the level of emissions within these limits. In this way, a carbon footprint is obtained, measured in CO2-equivalents. The calculated emissions are then offset in certified climate protection projects. To this end, we select projects that are implemented in the countries where our bags are produced. Our aim is to support initiatives in areas where the production of our bags generates some emissions and where, as a company of our size, we have limited other means of influence. We work together with ClimatePartner for carbon accounting, project selection and offsetting. We use the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard as the accounting basis for our Halfar products. This is an internationally recognised standard that sets out clear criteria for the creation of a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF). A PCF determined in accordance with this standard refers to the life cycle of a product. The scope of the evaluation specified which life cycle phases and processes were taken into account in the accounting. According to the cradle-to-customer plus waste approach adopted by Halfar System, all emissions from the extraction of raw materials, transport, production processes and packaging through to delivery to customers plus product disposal are considered. The only emissions not taken into account are those generated during use by the end customer, as these cannot be clearly defined or recorded. The ClimatePartner home page provides transparent information about the projects funded by our climate contributions. Apart from prioritising projects based in the countries where our bags are manufactured, we also strive to select those expected to have a lasting positive impact on the environment.

Regardless of the certification status, our suppliers confirm their compliance with the principles and values of the amfori BSCI by signing the code of conduct (CoC). Our partners are committed to ensuring that all stakeholders in the supply chain, including raw material suppliers and subcontractors, confirm, implement and respect the content of the code of conduct. In the course of visits and audits, we check compliance either ourselves or through third-party service providers to support factories in high-risk countries with amfori BSCI business audits. This ensures that our suppliers comply with the applicable laws and do not create precarious employmenst relationships. It also allows us to determine whether the quality assurance measures and social standards are implemented in line with requirements. To achieve this, our direct suppliers must contractually commit to allowing Halfar System or an independent auditor appointed by us to carry out audits at their facility and, if necessary, at any subcontractors’ sites. The results of the audits as well as other key figures are taken into account in a supplier evaluation. In addition to evaluating the facilities, we also conduct a risk assessment for the respective production countries in line with the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). Our management system (DIN ISO 9001:2015) allows us to assess the risks that can potentially disrupt or otherwise affect our supply chain. This proactive approach allows us as a company to take appropriate measures to mitigate or avoid risk. We achieve this by strategically managing our supplier base, implementing safety standards and developing contingency plans.

In everyday business life, an employee may get into a conflict that mixes business and private interests, making it difficult to make decisions in the company’s best interests. Halfar employees are committed to avoiding any undue influence on their business decisions through gifts or other benefits. This means that any gifts and other benefits that go beyond the usual scope should not be accepted. If Halfar employees are affected by a conflict of interest or aware of infringements of agreed rules, the appropriate line manager or supervisor must be informed immediately in order to find a swift solution. Any conflicts or concerns regarding operations within the company may (and should) also be addressed openly and without reservation. Various channels are available for Halfar employees to do this, either directly or anonymously.