VAUDE recognized for fair Working conditions in the global supply chain
Tettnang, 27.10.2025 - While central elements of the planned supply chain law (CSDDD) are being weakened at European level, VAUDE is sending a clear signal of responsibility: The outdoor brand has been awarded Leader Status - the highest rating category of the Fair Wear Foundation - for the 11th time in a row. The independent organization has once again confirmed the outdoor brand's outstanding commitment to fair working conditions along the global supply chain - even in challenging times. Particularly pleasing: The benchmarking score was increased again - to 83 points.
VAUDE has achieved Leader status every year since 2015, the highest category awarded on the basis of the annual Fair Wear Brand Performance Check. Among other things, it evaluates how companies fulfill their human rights due diligence obligations, respond to complaints from production facilities and implement long-term improvements.
VAUDE remains on course - even in challenging times
"The fact that we have achieved Fair Wear Leader status for the 11th time is not a matter of coursebut the result of continuous work. This award shows all the more that we remain committed to fair working conditions and responsible cooperation in our supply chain. I am particularly pleased that we were once again able to improve in the benchmarking. This success belongs to all of us - our partners, our team and everyone who is walking this path with us," says Dr. Antje von Dewitz, Managing Director of VAUDEmanagement of VAUDE. Recently, the Legal Affairs Committee of the EU Parliament voted in favor of a significant weakening of the EU Supply Chain Directive (CSDDDD) - auch a step backwards for all those who voluntarily stand up for fair working conditions. VAUDE opposes this and shows that responsibility in global supply chains is possible and effective.
"Achieving the Fair Wear Foundation's Leader status once again fills us with pridefills us with pride. It encourages us on our path for fair working conditions - which we will continue to pursue together," emphasizes Anika Mauz, Supplier Management VAUDE.
Brand Performance Check - annualannual inspection by Fair Wear
VAUDE has been a member of Fair Wear - one of the most internationally recognized standards for social responsibility - since 2010. The independent multi-stakeholder initiative deliberately focuses on the sewing industry, i.e. the part of the supply chain where most labor-intensive processes take place. This is precisely where a particularly large number of people can be reached - and working conditions can be effectively improved.
The focus is on the principle of shared responsibility: because fair working conditions are not only created by the producers, but also by the companies that place orders. This is why VAUDE is comprehensively audited by Fair Wear every year: In the Brand Performance Check, the company must disclose how it fulfills its responsibility for fair working conditions in the supply chain. Among other things, it is checked whether VAUDE effectively protects human rights, whether training is carried out to improve social standards and how complaints from workers are responded to - with the aim of eliminating grievances and achieving long-term improvements. Fair Wear awards Leader Status - the highest rating category - to companies that take a particularly structured and committed approach.
The full report: www.fairwear.org/brands/vaude
More about responsibility in the supply chain at VAUDE: https: //nachhaltigkeitsbericht.vaude.com/de/menschen/vaude-in-der-lieferkette/verantwortung-in-der-lieferkette/