Bluesign celebrates 25 years of sustainable textile leadership

2025 is a significant year for bluesign, as it celebrates a quarter-century of shaping a more sustainable textile industry. Founded in Switzerland in 2000, bluesign has played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable chemical and environmental management across the textile and fashion industries.

Since its establishment, bluesign has been focused on eliminating harmful substances right at the start of the production process. Their approach, built on a science-based, input stream management system, has expanded to cover over 900 system partners worldwide. The company’s work has helped industries reduce environmental impact and set global benchmarks for responsible production, guiding businesses through the complexities of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and compliance with upcoming legislation.

A Mission That Endures

Bluesign’s mission has remained steady since day one: eliminate harmful chemicals in textile production, create safer working environments, protect the environment, and provide safer products for consumers. Over the past 25 years, this mission has evolved in response to emerging global challenges, such as the elimination of PFAS, decarbonization, and increasing circularity efforts in the industry. Bluesign’s continuous drive for improvement has had a profound impact, pushing the industry toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Progress Measured at Scale

Bluesign’s system helps its partners achieve real, measurable progress toward sustainability goals. For example:

• Chemistry and Materials: Over 28,000 chemical products and 70,000 textile materials now carry the bluesign APPROVED status, which means they meet the strictest criteria and are free from hazardous substances like CMRs and PFAS.
• Environmental Impact: Since 2019, bluesign’s system partners have seen measurable improvements in their environmental footprints. These efforts contribute to a significant reduction in resource usage and waste generation.
• Global Network: With over 900 partners spanning the globe, including chemical suppliers, textile mills, manufacturers, and brands, bluesign’s impact is far-reaching and growing.
• Safety: The bluesign system ensures that both workers and consumers are protected. It provides a foundation of transparency and accountability, guaranteeing non-toxic products and safer working conditions across the supply chain.

A Holistic Approach to Sustainability

What sets bluesign apart is its holistic approach to sustainability. The system doesn’t just verify sustainability at the end of the production process—it tracks every stage, from the chemical inputs to the final product. This verification is rooted in science and goes beyond traditional certification methods, ensuring that companies continue improving their practices over time. This process builds trust among stakeholders and provides the industry with a reliable pathway forward.

Looking Ahead: The Next 25 Years

Bluesign is not resting on its laurels. As the industry faces new challenges, such as the rise of circularity, the EU Green Deal, and digital product passports, the company remains committed to driving innovation and having a lasting impact. It continues to address issues like due diligence, extended producer responsibility, and legislative shifts, while also helping companies navigate these new landscapes.

“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. “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.”