SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is at the heart of Norm. But what does it mean exactly? According to the Brundtland Commission (United Nations, 1987) sustainability is meeting “the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

To be more sustainable, three interconnected core elements must be considered: environmental protection, social inclusion and economic prosperity. Norm is built around those 3 concepts and every single decision is taken based on the impact it has on the planet and on the people.

PLANET

Environment is our main stakeholder. If we want to preserve the economy and the humankind, we need to think about the planet where we live first. To reduce Norm’s impact on natural resources and on emissions, the focus is set on:

  • Eco-Design

    products are designed to minimize the use of raw material, to use as much recycled material as possible, to minimize the number of suppliers and keep their location close from each other. Packaging is reduced to the minimum necessary to ensure a good product preservation.

  • Renewable Energy

    we use the maximum of renewable energy through the supply chain, from the raw material producers to our offices, and the transporter.

  • Reduce Energy consumption

    we give ourselves the challenge to reduce the energy consumption through the entire supply chain by selecting suppliers with better energetic performances and energy management systems.

  • Water Efficiency

    we prefer materials with low water consumption and suppliers with water management systems.

  • Chemical usage

    We avoid the use of chemical components and prevent by any means their release in the environment. Our aim is to have all our suppliers qualified for one or all those labels: REACH, ÖKO-TEX 100, GRS or ISO 14001

  • Environmentally friendly offices and warehouse

    We use efficient equipment, lighting and water saving fixtures, implement energy management systems to reduce heating and electricity consumption and select eco-label products and recycled paper for printing

  • Waste Management

    We ensure waste sorting and recycling through the entire supply chain and act to prevent pollution of soil and water in manufacturing.

  • Efficient Transport

    We choose partners and solution that will reduce the impact on the environment, prefer boat transportation for goods and trains, bicycles or public transportation for people.

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People

The Social impact is too often neglected in sustainability analysis, but it has a very important weight in the balance. The way companies treat their workers is essential for us and we want to work in environments where trust, integrity and honesty are guaranteed. To enhance happiness around us, we put our effort on:

  • Fair distribution of income

    We ensure fair pay of workers and rational distribution of income amongst all our companies’ stakeholders.

  • Quality at work

    We prone a rewarding lifestyle trough the ability to work from home, freedom in the schedule, decent pay, decent number of working hours and a good work-life balance.

  • Ethical financial management

    we select first sustainable financing sources.

  • Ethical purchasing

    We select suppliers that respect their workers, improve their lives and provide good work conditions. We also make sure to select suppliers where employment is freely chosen and that do not use any child labour. We also select Fairtrade raw materials and products.

  • No discrimination

    We ensure equal pay, equal chances and conditions for all workers, independently from their gender, sexual orientation, religion or ethnicity.

  • Transparency toward customers, suppliers and employees

    we share honest and pertinent information and we are open about production locations, name of suppliers, costs, profits and impacts toward all stakeholders.

  • Ethical Selling

    our products are made by human beings and mistakes can be made. As we always want to improve our products we’re always happy to receive feedback from our customers.

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PROFIT

Profit is an imperative aspect of sustainability. We need it to ensure the future of the company, create gratifying job and build a better fashion industry. But we do not create shoes in order to get the largest piece of the cake and take away as much as possible from our competitors.

NORM IS A MEMBER OF:

  • As an official member of 1% for the Planet, we commit to give 1% of our sales revenues to environmental nonprofits to help protect our home planet. 

  • At Norm, we also believe in animal respect and welbeing. This is the reason why all our products are Vegan and Peta approved.

  • Norm commits to plant two trees for each pair produced. We work with the Begian Nonprofit Graine de vie who manage reforestation in Madagascar. 

  • As a Textile Exchange member Norm collaborates with other brands and manufacturers to

NORM'S DEVELOPMENT IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE HELP OF:

  • BeCircular: Lauréat 2020 & 2021

    Acteur d'une économie de transition

  • Fondation Roi Baudouin:

    Fond ING pour une économie plus circulaire