The rise of green energy

Chemical Management

◉ Chemical Management Mechanism in 2024

Chemical Source Management 

Everest is a sustainable and conscientious enterprise in the textile industry. It is committed to developing eco-friendly textiles that are harmless to humans. Therefore, it attaches great importance to chemical management and the safety of its use. In order to prevent the impact of chemicals on the human body and the natural environment, Everest has established a cross-departmental team to carry out a chemical management mechanism, establishing a complete control framework of "pre-process introduction", "in-process management" and "end-of-process waste treatment". 

【Before process introduction】

 All new chemicals must be tested by their respective responsible units to confirm their effects and precautions for use. Then, they must submit a new raw material number application, fill out the "New Raw Material Pre-Review Form" and attach the SDS (Safety Data Sheet), TDS (Technical Data Sheet) and test report of the chemical. These documents must be submitted to the Environmental Safety team for safety, health and environmental hazard review, followed by the Advanced Institute [A1] for chemical compliance review, and finally to the Materials Department for material number registration. In the compliance part, new chemicals must comply with bluesign®, ZDHC MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substance List) or OEKO-TEX and other specifications. If relevant supporting information is incomplete, the supplier must provide relevant test reports or declarations to confirm that the chemical complies with the specifications before it can be imported for use.  [A1]"Advanced Institute" is unclear and may be a mistranslation Suggestion: R&D department   Advanced Institute　R&D department

【In-process management】

In the in-process management part, a designated safe storage place is provided. Solid and liquid chemicals are stored separately, with clear labeling of the chemical name and number. In order to prevent harm caused by accidental leakage, liquid storage tanks are equipped with a secondary container, and wood chips are available near the storage area. Each storage area is equipped with SDS, personal protective equipment, and emergency shower protection measures for all chemicals stored in the area. The dyeing and finishing factory regularly conducts chemical safety training for employees. Waste chemicals at the end of the pipeline must follow the company's standard scrapping procedures before disposal.

【Chemical Management Flowchart】

◉ Everest GRIQC System (EQS)

In order to better manage the purchase and inventory of chemicals, Everest Digital Center has developed the Everest Incoming Material Inspection System EQS. Taking the dyeing and finishing department as an example, when chemicals enter the factory, the warehouse staff must perform the receiving operation in EQS based on the truck's weighing list and incoming material details, confirm the purchase record and check the received weight to avoid receiving too much or too little of the chemicals, and store the new chemicals in a waiting warehouse for inspection. The laboratory can be notified via EQS that new chemicals are available. After the laboratory test is completed and EQS confirms that the new chemicals have passed the test, the warehouse staff will move the approved chemicals to the chemical warehouse. Subsequent warehouse staff or relevant management personnel can query the receipt details of that time or that day through the receipt number and date. At the same time, Everest also inputs the information required for the 14 chemical lists into EQS in accordance with the content of the chemical module of FEM, so the inventory quantity and entry date of different batch numbers of chemicals can be directly queried on EQS.

◉ Chemical waste liquid recycling

Based on the source management and reduction of chemicals, Everest invested in a dimethylformamide (DMF) distillation recovery system with a total investment of 1.1 million USD, and the expected DMF recovery efficiency is 90%. After the waste gas from the coating and lamination process is concentrated in the water washing tower for treatment, the low-concentration DMF waste liquid is collected for recycling and regeneration and returned to the original process for use, which not only reduces the cost of DMF waste liquid treatment and the need to purchase new raw materials, but also reduces the health risk of DMF in the process to operating personnel. This equipment cooperates with the Environmental Protection Bureau for inspection and regular testing. The test report shows that the DMF concentration measured at the PF01 discharge port is lower than the standard, indicating that the recovery system effectively recycles the low-concentration DMF waste liquid.

DMF waste liquid treatment volume of Taiwan factories in the past three years

◉ Toxic Substance Control

Restricted Substance Management

In recent years, in order to achieve people's pursuit of fashion, functionality and comfort, more and more chemicals have been developed and used in clothing. However, some chemicals contain harmful ingredients such as environmental hormones, reproductive toxins, environmental pollutants, heavy metals, and allergens. If these harmful substances are not treated, they will be discharged into the environment or remain on clothing, causing environmental damage, poisoning, or allergic reactions to humans. Everest uploads the list of chemicals used in the factory to the bluesign® Cube system, and the bluesign® internal chemical management team reviews it according to the new version of BSBL and BSSL. If there are non-compliant chemicals on the list, they will be required to be removed from the list or replaced. After obtaining the list requirements, the cutting-edge institute will confirm the actual reasons for the elimination of the chemical, and after confirmation, notify the Engineering Management Group. The colleagues responsible for purchasing chemicals will contact the supplier and request the supplier to make improvements and resubmit compliant products within a specified timeframe. In addition, Everest will continue to update the OEKO-TEX standard 100 certification every year to ensure that the finished fabrics produced do not have any residual harmful substances to ensure safety in wearing.   

Raw material management 

As a member of the bluesign® system partner, Everest further strengthens its chemical management in accordance with the bluesign® specification requirements. In order to ensure that the products provided by chemical suppliers comply with the BSBL (black rating limit) and BSSL (bluesign® system substance list) specifications of bluesign®, and have obtained bluesign® certification for sampling of hazardous substances in raw materials, including chemicals and non-chemicals such as yarns and grey fabrics, Everest gradually established a new management system in 2021: Everest's own RSL (restricted substance list) was formulated by Sharp Institute with reference to bluesign®'s BSBL, and the Engineering Management Group will transfer it to Class A suppliers (suppliers of chemicals and yarns) during the annual negotiation period, and require Class A suppliers to submit OEKO-TEX standard 100, bluesign®, ZDHC MRSL or third-party test reports every year, and return the signed "Everest Restricted Substance List (RSL) Notice" acknowledgment form. If the supplier is an agent or trader, it must submit the original factory's SDS or sales license instructions relevant documents. In addition to confirming the chemical production information, this also ensures that the products provided by the supplier are sourced directly from the original manufacturer. The above management system will be implemented in 2022. Starting from 2023, according to ISO9001 document-chemical management methods, Everest will sample at least three dyes, auxiliaries, post-processing chemicals, general chemicals and purchased yarns each year, and entrust qualified third-party testing units to conduct testing to ensure that the products provided by suppliers meet ZDHC and bluesign specifications. In 2024, a total of 12 chemicals were sampled, and the sampling results indicated that two restricted substances exceeded the permissible limits. The most feasible alternative substances will be identified and replaced in the future. In 2024, there were no accidents or cases caused by improper use, storage, transportation and disposal of products in violation of the Chemical Substances Management Act.

Notification of Restricted Substances List (RSL)   

To ensure that products provided by suppliers meet specifications, Everesthas has required suppliers to submit a "Notification of Restricted Substances List (RSL)" since 2022.  Suppliers must commit to adhering to the Restricted Substances List established by Hong TWD, ensuring product quality from the raw material stage. In 2024, 100% of suppliers submitted the RSL notification.   Notification of Restricted Substances List (RSL) Compliance Specifications  -          Suppliers must provide at least one relevant document each year, including but not limited to bluesign® certification, ZDHC MRSL, Oeko-Tex testing reports, or other third-party testing reports, to demonstrate that the product complies with Hong TWD's Restricted Substances List.  -          If a chemical supplier is not the manufacturer of the chemical and is not a bluesign system partner, they must provide a statement from the original manufacturer permitting or authorizing sales (see Attachment 1) and the original manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) issued within the last three years to ensure the source of the chemical. In 2024, 100% of such suppliers submitted the SDS and statement.  -          Raw materials that comply with the specifications will be given priority for procurement.

【Terminal process wastewater testing】

Everest conducts ZDHC wastewater testing twice a year. In terms of the use of repellents, since most repellents are fluorinated compounds, they produce perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) that affect the environment. Everest has completely stopped using the highly hazardous carbon eight (C8) fluorinated repellent in 2016, and gradually increased the proportion of fluorine-free repellents. Therefore, no PFCs content has been detected. In addition, based on the results of the ZDHC wastewater testing report, the company discussed improvement methods with the Environmental Protection Section of the Public Utilities Department, the wastewater factory management unit, in the hope of reducing harm to the environment through action.   【Chemical Use Instructions Training】 Everest regularly organizes employee training on the safe use of chemicals, covering topics such as an introduction to hazardous chemicals and precautions, the use and key points of personal protective equipment, and hazard identification, to ensure the safety of employees during operations.