Sustainability in practice – at Arbetsskydd Express
For us at Arbetsskydd Express, sustainability means taking responsibility at every level. From how we choose materials and set requirements in production, to how we work with logistics, lifespan, and what happens when the garment has served its purpose.
As a supplier of workwear and protective equipment, we want to make it easier to choose the right products. That’s why we develop and offer products that combine safety, quality, and documented transparency – without compromising on functionality or delivery reliability. At the same time, we drive our sustainability efforts forward through clearer partnerships, smarter material choices, and more circular working methods.
Our work is based on the UN's global goals for sustainable development. We have selected four goals that are most relevant to our operations and that guide our priorities, requirements, and development: goals 8, 9, 12, and 13.
Our sustainability work
Sustainability affects our choices every day – from product development and supplier collaborations to work environment and how we use resources. We work step by step to reduce our impact, take social responsibility, and at the same time develop the business in the long term.
If you want to know more about how we work in practice, we have gathered our sustainability work in an open summary.
Our focus areas for sustainability
To make our work clear and concrete, we base our efforts on four of the UN's global goals. They help us prioritize correctly, follow up on our initiatives, and drive development forward – in our operations and throughout the value chain. Below you can read more about how we work related to goals 8, 9, 12, and 13.
Sustainable Industry and Innovation
Quality, innovation, and responsible production are central parts of our work. We continuously develop our products and processes to meet high demands for functionality, sustainability, and safety. To ensure a systematic approach to quality and environmental work, we operate according to international standards and certifications.
Certifications and Standards
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management
- ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
- GRS (Global Recycled Standard) – Standard for Recycled Material
These certifications mean that our processes follow established systems for quality assurance, environmental work, and traceability.
Safe materials and certified textiles
A large part of the NordWear range is made with OEKO-TEX®-certified textiles. OEKO-TEX means that the materials have been tested for harmful substances and meet high standards for safety and health. For the user, this means workwear that is safe to use even in demanding work environments. By working with certified materials, we can ensure both quality and safety in our products.
Decent Working Conditions
Respect for human rights and good working conditions is a fundamental part of our sustainability work. This applies both within our own organization and throughout our supply chain.
All suppliers who collaborate with us must adhere to our Code of Conduct, which includes clear requirements for, among other things:
- safe and healthy working conditions
- fair working conditions and respect for workers' rights
- prohibition of child labor and forced labor
- respect for freedom of association
To ensure that these principles are upheld, independent third-party audits are conducted by the international entity SGS.
Internally, we actively work to create a safe and developing workplace where our employees are offered good working conditions, opportunities for skills development, and an inclusive work environment.
Climate Responsibility
We continuously work to reduce our climate impact and develop more sustainable working methods in our operations.
This involves both streamlining our processes and identifying concrete measures that can contribute to reduced emissions.
An example is our vehicle fleet, where over 50% of our company cars today are powered by 100% electricity, which is a step in the effort to reduce emissions from transportation.
We continue to evaluate how we can reduce climate impact through, for example, more efficient logistics, better resource use, and increased transparency regarding climate data.
Circular initiatives
As part of our sustainability efforts, we are developing new solutions to reduce textile waste and extend the lifespan of workwear.
An example is a model for the return of used workwear, where products can be collected when they are no longer in use.
The goal is to create a more resource-efficient and circular system around workwear.
Sustainable Consumption and Production
An important part of our sustainability work is to develop products that can be used for a long time and contribute to more responsible resource use.
By offering high-quality workwear with a long lifespan, we can help reduce the need for frequent new purchases and thereby decrease resource consumption.
We are also working on developing new initiatives to strengthen the sustainability of our products and supply chains, for example:
- development of reuse flows for workwear
- improved traceability in the supply chain
- development of product-based CO2 data
The goal is to make it easier for our customers to make more conscious and sustainable choices.
Do you want to know more about our sustainability work?
Contact Nick who is responsible for communication of sustainability issues with us.
Dir:+46 (0)42 295554
Email: nick@arbetsskyddab.se
