2025 marks a pivotal milestone for bluesign®, the global authority in sustainable chemical and environmental management for the textile and fashion industry, as it celebrates 25 years of advancing cleaner, safer, and more responsible manufacturing practices across the global supply chain.
Founded in Switzerland in 2000, bluesign® has pioneered a science-based input stream management system to eliminate harmful substances at the earliest stage of production. Today, with a network of over 900 system partners globally, bluesign® continues to significantly reduce environmental impact while setting the standard for responsible manufacturing. The organization is a trusted resource for navigating evolving ESG demands and legislation (including CSDDD, CSR, ESPR, and DPP), embedding verified sustainability throughout the production process.
Then & Now: A Mission That Endures
Since its founding, bluesign’s mission has remained consistent: eliminate harmful chemicals at the source of textile production, improve worker safety, reduce environmental damage, and deliver safer products to consumers. This mission has only strengthened over time, as the organization addresses new global priorities such as PFAS elimination, decarbonization, and circularity, while continually driving industry-wide improvement.
Measurable Impact at Scale
bluesign enables partners to make tangible progress toward sustainability targets through:
- Safer Chemistry & Materials: Over 28,000 chemical products and 70,000 textile materials now carry the bluesign® APPROVED label, ensuring exclusion of CMRs, PFAS, and other harmful substances.
- Environmental Performance: Since 2019, bluesign® System Partners have collectively improved their environmental footprints across operations.
- Global Reach: Over 900 partners including chemical suppliers, textile mills, manufacturers, and brands are part of the bluesign® network.
- Worker & Consumer Safety: The system prioritizes safe working conditions and non-toxic consumer goods, upheld by strict transparency and accountability.
Why It Matters: A Holistic, Verified Approach
bluesign’s system tracks sustainability performance at every stage — from chemical inputs to final product — with third-party, science-based verification that exceeds conventional certifications. This builds industry trust and drives continuous improvement.
Looking Ahead: The Next 25 Years
As the industry tackles circularity, EU Green Deal compliance, extended producer responsibility, and digital product passports, bluesign® stays committed to innovation, accountability, and global leadership in responsible textile production.
“bluesign® was born out of a bold idea, that sustainability could be embedded into the DNA of product creation,” said Daniel Rüfenacht, CEO of bluesign technologies. “Twenty-five years later, we’re proud to be a beacon of trust, innovation, and responsibility, and to partner with industry leaders worldwide in building a more sustainable future together.”
To mark its 25th anniversary, bluesign will host global events, expert panels, and initiatives to celebrate partner achievements and shape the future of sustainable textiles.