Tricorp believes it is important that workwear is safe and comfortable. Safety already starts during the production of the clothing. Tricorp ensures that no harmful chemicals are used in the garments. European legislation also sets requirements for the chemicals that may be used through REACH. REACH stands for: Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Chemical Restriction. In order to comply with this regulation, Tricorp checks the MRSL and RSL list with its suppliers. These lists are drawn up by the textile trade association Modint.

There is a small difference between the MRSL and the RSL list, namely:

- the Tricorp Restricted Substances List (RSL) is a list of chemicals and the maximum concentrations that may be present in an end product;

- the Tricorp Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) is a comparable list for the production process.

The Tricorp RSL and MRSL were drawn up by the textile industry association Modint. The MRSL is based on the ZDHC list. ZDHC stands for Zero Discharge Hazardous Chemicals and is a list prepared by more than 170 textile organizations worldwide.

Tricorp works with the suppliers to ensure that they and their suppliers respect the RSL and MRSL list. So that the textile process and product is the most environmentally friendly. Tricorp carries out additional tests for verification.

In addition, Tricorp checks whether all materials have an Ökotex 100 certificate. This label confirms that the materials have been tested for harmful chemicals and substances that are not skin-friendly. With the Ökotex 100 certificate, the product also meets the requirements of the European REACH regulation.

Tricorp is working on a 100% circular textile economy by 2050. This means that worn workwear is reused or recycled into new textiles or for other applications. Tricorp actively participates in initiatives to improve reuse or recycling.

Developments in the field of circular textiles are moving very fast. In order to speak the same language with regard to the input for circular textiles, the NEN Working Group on Circular Textiles is working on the Dutch Textile Agreement (NTA) 8195. Tricorp is an active participant in this NEN working group. Tricorp consults with other Dutch textile producers and experts in this regard.

Tricorp is also an active participant in the European CEN consultation to draw up a standard and requirements for circular textiles. Misunderstandings and differences in the understanding of circular textiles will be resolved with a European standard.

NTA 8195 codes: if worn garments or cutting waste is used to make yarn, cloth and garments again, this is called a closed loop process. The raw materials remain in the same chain. The use of recycled PET bottles to make yarns is circular textile according to the open loop process: code D1. Here you get a raw material from another chain. Tricorp's REWEAR & RE2050 clothing has code D1.

According to the Dutch Circular Textile Policy Programme, the Dutch economy must be 100% circular by 2050. The government is therefore introducing legislation to improve the climate.

There is a bill to introduce the Extended Producer Responsibility Act for textiles in 2023. As a clothing producer, Tricorp must already show by 2025 that 50% (in kg) of the clothing produced is taken back and reused or recycled with the aim of preserving raw materials. In order to achieve this objective, the main thing in the development phase is that the clothing can easily be reused or recycled after being worn. The clothing design and the type of raw material used are of great importance for this to be successful.

Worn garments should be easy to take apart and loose parts should be easy to remove. Recycling works best when the raw materials are the same. More pollution means a slower and more expensive recycling process. Cloth from one composition, for example 100% cotton, is easier to recycle than a multi-fiber cloth. Raw materials that are renewable are more sustainable than fossil raw materials. Yarns from renewable raw materials are cellulose-based yarns such as cotton, lyocel and wool. Yarns made from fossil raw materials (oil) are synthetic yarns such as polyester and polyamide.

Synthetic yarns also have many advantages for workwear compared to cellulose-based yarns. A challenge for Tricorp as a workwear producer.

In order to prepare the worn Tricorp workwear for reuse or recycling, Tricorp works together with partners who collect, sort and clean clothing from customers. GAIA Circular is Tricorp's partner in this. Dealers and end users can approach GAIA to collect the worn workwear. By doing this, Tricorp and its partners make an important contribution to the circular textile target for 2050.

Questions? Our CSR specialist will be happy to help you!