We expect the brands we choose in our collection to meet our sustainability criteria. Our criteria consist of actions that take the environment, social conditions and climate into consideration. Here’s how Veja meets our criteria:

Environment:

Brand uses environmentally preferred raw materials for more than 70% of its volume.

• Yes, Veja uses environmentally preferred raw materials for more than 70% of its volume. This includes organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, and recycled materials such as plastic bottles and polyester, reflecting their commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental impact.

Brand reports on the implementation of its environmental policy related to the ‘wet processes’ within the production cycle, like bleaching and dyeing of raw materials

• Veja ensure that dyeing and tanning processes comply with REACH regulations and have adopted vegetable-tanned leather to reduce chemical use, reflecting their commitment to environmentally responsible practices.

Brand has eliminated at least three suspect chemical group, such as Phthalates or Perfluorinated Chemicals from its entire production

• Veja have removed harmful chemicals like phthalates, azo dyes, and heavy metals from their processes to ensure safer products and reduce environmental impact.

Brand reports what percentage of its consumer packaging materials are renewable or made from recycled materials, and the brand implements concrete policies which have reduced the environmental impact of their packaging materials

• VEJA’s shoeboxes are on average 60% made of recycled cardboard, with the remaining 40% from FSC-certified virgin materials. The packaging used to ship sneakers to E-shop clients is made from 80% recycled plastic.

Brand encourages the longevity of products by offering a lifetime guarantee, repair services or supporting the return or re-use of garments

• Veja encourages the longevity of products by offering support for repair and re-use. They promote shoe care and maintenance through their website and provide detailed instructions on how to clean and maintain Veja sneakers to extend their lifespan.

Brand supports environmental NGO's or other organizations to promote environmental sustainability

• VEJA supports NGOs in Brazil that support the associations and cooperatives of organic cotton and Amazonian rubber. This NGOs engage producers about the importance of the Amazon forest, ecosystem services, increase the production of organic cotton and the importance of agroecology.

Social conditions:

Fair social conditions are audited by third parties (For operations outside EU)

• Fair social conditions at Veja are audited by third parties for operations outside the EU. VEJA's suppliers are regularly audited against SMETA Pillar 4 standards, ensuring ethical practices in labor, health and safety, environmental impact, and business ethics.

Origin of the materials, design and the manufacturing is shared openly

• Yes, Veja openly shares the origin of materials, design, and manufacturing processes. They provide a list of their suppliers, which can be accessed through a link on their transparency page.

Brand is following buying practices that enable living wages and good labour conditions, such as long-term relations with factories, and concentrating production at a limited number of factories

• Veja follows buying practices that enable living wages and good labor conditions. They maintain long-term relationships with their factories, working with only three factories to concentrate production. One of these factories has been a partner since 2013, and the other two started producing for VEJA in 2018 and 2020.

Open list of direct suppliers that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume

• Veja provides an open list of direct suppliers that collectively contribute to more than 90% of their purchase volume. This list can be accessed through a link on their transparency page.

Brand supports social NGO's or other organizations to promote social sustainability

• VEJA supports NGOs in Brazil that support the associations and cooperatives of organic cotton and Amazonian rubber.

Veja's manufacturing operations are exclusively based in Brazil, encompassing all of their production. While this doesn't align with the criterion of manufacturing more than 70% of product volumes in 'low-risk' countries, it underscores their commitment to their home country's economy and industry. Additionally, while Veja hasn't publicly committed to a living wage benchmark with defined wages per production region or factory, they continue to prioritize fair labor practices and are actively engaged in promoting better working conditions within their supply chain.

Climate:

Is at least 50% of the electricity used by the brand generated from renewable resources, such as wind or solar energy?

• At least 50% of the electricity used by Veja is generated from renewable resources, such as wind or solar energy. They have made strides in sustainability by utilizing renewable energy sources, reflecting their commitment to reducing their environmental footprint and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.

Veja does not meet the criterion of disclosing the annual absolute climate footprint of its 'own operations' or achieving an overall absolute climate footprint reduction compared to the result of the previous reporting year.

Veja's history, values and sustainability

Veja has an intriguing history rooted in a commitment to transparency, social responsibility, and sustainability. From their inception, the brand has aimed to challenge traditional footwear industry norms by prioritizing ethical practices and environmental stewardship. Their journey is reflected in their values, which are deeply ingrained in every aspect of their operations.

Veja's dedication to sustainability is evident in their transparent approach to manufacturing and sourcing. By openly sharing the origins of their materials, design processes, and manufacturing locations, Veja sets a new standard for transparency within the fashion industry. They actively promote fair labor practices, maintaining long-term relationships with their factories and ensuring that their suppliers adhere to ethical standards.

Furthermore, Veja's sustainability efforts extend beyond transparency to encompass innovative practices aimed at reducing their environmental impact. They utilize eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon rainforest, and recycled plastic bottles. Additionally, Veja invests in renewable energy sources to power their operations, with at least 50% of their electricity coming from wind or solar energy.

In summary, Veja's history, values, and sustainability efforts converge to form a brand that prioritizes social responsibility and environmental consciousness. Through their transparent practices, ethical values, and innovative solutions, Veja continues to lead the way toward a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.

Veja, it’s factories or fabrics have also met the criteria for these certifications:

• SMETA Pillar 4: Ensures fair labor practices, health and safety standards, environmental impact, and business ethics are upheld.
• FSC Certification: Indicates the use of responsibly sourced virgin materials for packaging, contributing to forest conservation efforts.
• REACH Regulations Compliance: Ensures that dyeing and tanning processes meet strict environmental and safety standards.
• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Certifies organic fibers used in production, promoting environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing.
• BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative): Demonstrates adherence to ethical labor practices, including fair wages and safe working conditions.
• WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production): Certifies compliance with ethical manufacturing standards across labor, environmental, and legal domains.
• OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: Ensures that textiles are free from harmful substances, promoting consumer safety.
• BLUESIGN® Certification: Guarantees that fabrics and materials meet stringent environmental and consumer safety standards throughout the production process.