This KPI focuses on our efforts to eliminate hazardous substances from wet-processing activities and ensure that chemical use is aligned to the highest available standards. It covers the dyes, finishes and processing chemicals used within MAS facilities, as well as the systems that govern their selection, handling and discharge, to protect employees, communities and the environment.

Wet processing is one of the most chemistry-intensive stages of textile manufacturing. Poor chemical management can create risks for workers, surrounding ecosystems and the safety of finished products. Aligning facilities with leading compliance standards helps prevent harmful substances from entering production and strengthens consistency across operations. It also enables our factories to support safer practices and deliver products that meet increasingly rigorous customer and industry expectations.

We are aligning our wet-processing facilities with globally recognised chemical-management and compliance schemes, supported by certification and regular validation. This includes stronger controls over chemical inputs, processes and finished articles, alongside clear operating standards, ongoing monitoring, training, and governance to ensure requirements are embedded consistently.

By validating 90% of our raw material purchases through leading chemical certifications, we aim to increase confidence that fabrics, trims and other inputs from our value chain meet recognised safety requirements. This helps reduce the risk of hazardous substances being introduced upstream and strengthens chemical responsibility across the products we manufacture.

The chemical integrity of a product depends not only on how it is manufactured, but also on the materials and components from which it is made. Without credible validation, harmful substances can enter the value chain before production even begins. Prioritising certified raw materials helps protect employees, consumers and ecosystems, while giving MAS and its customers greater assurance over product safety and responsible sourcing.

We will prioritise raw materials validated through globally accepted chemical-safety certifications and strengthen these requirements within sourcing and procurement processes. We will work with suppliers to improve certification coverage, verify compliance and address gaps where they exist. Consistent data capture, supplier engagement and performance monitoring will help increase the proportion of validated materials and maintain progress towards the 90% target.