Chemistry Policy

1. Introduction

We do not commission third parties to use products or raw materials that have been manufactured with hazardous chemicals or potentially hazardous chemicals instead of us. In order to assume responsibility towards our customers and the environment in accordance with our Corporate Governance Principles, we insist on compliance with and monitoring of chemical-free products and production standards in relation to our core business. Our Chemical Policy serves as a guideline for both our business partners and ourselves for the implementation of sustainable practices in the design of chemical-free products, production processes and complete supply chains. For each new product or raw material that we purchase or a partnership in which we are involved, a member of management must confirm in writing that compliance with this guideline has been documented and met.

2. Application range

The Chemicals Guideline applies to all our products, our internal production and logistics processes, and the supply chain right up to the source of our raw materials.

3. Commitment to chemical-free products and production

For all relevant private label products Weltbett GmbH (WELTBETT) Demands compliance with all legal regulations and aspects of chemicals 2008 and 2010. For the production and trade of products, the "three most important measures of a chemical-free business" must be taken into account:

• 100% chemical and toxin-free products
• 100% chemical-free production without permanent chemical footprint
• 100% application of the same standards for packaging

We are committed to chemical-free products, packaging and production standards at all stages of the supply chain.

WELTBETT aims to actively expand its range of 100% natural products, production and packaging, which come from production sites that have been proven to apply chemical standards that exceed legal requirements. Furthermore, our suppliers are obliged to comply with minimum chemical standards at all stages of the production chain, i.e. from the fattening farm to the processor and the retail trade (see Corporate Governance Principles / Chemicals Act 2008 and 2010). WELTBETT is a member of the Business Environmental Performance Initiative BEPI and implements its standards and codes of conduct along the entire supply chain.

4. Requirements and implementation

We are actively committed to compliance with chemical standards and have already taken concrete measures to this end in the following areas, among others:

Customer chemical standards

Our customers are among the strongest drivers and champions of the industrial convergence of our industry towards sustainability standards for products, packaging and production. We work with our customers to help them formulate their standards and objectives and monitor progress towards achieving them. We follow our highest customer standards.

Requirements on our products and raw materials

WELTBETT purchases products exclusively from manufacturers who comply with all local and international sustainability standards and/or are certified accordingly. This enables us to avoid the use of chemical elements that contribute to environmental pollution.

Textile-related environmental chemistry topics

WELTBETT follows all textile environmental and chemical issues and always strives to comply with the latest standards, tests and labelling standards.

• All our products are Ökotex certified and therefore tested by third parties. Our Oekotex certification proves that no harmful substances are emitted - neither in our fabrics nor in our fillers or mattress cores.
• All natural fillings are Daunasan and Daunafresh certified, which guarantees environmentally friendly processes and HYGIENE according to DIN EIN 12935.
• We work in accordance with Greenpeace's DETOX campaign, audited by third parties who verify that no toxic water is discharged into the environment throughout our supply chain, which is particularly sensitive to bleaching and dyeing processes for the fabrics of our products.

We increasingly buy organic, GOTS and Fairtrade certified cotton.

Third party audits

• WELTBETT uses the following audited third party standards to monitor compliance with these guidelines:
• WELTBETT is certified for the use of Oekotex for its fabrics, fillings and mattress cores
• WELTBETT produces NOMITE labels for allergy sufferers
• WELTBETT issues Downafresh labels for compliance with EU hygiene standards
• WELTBETT fabrics are certified skin-friendly by the Hohenstein Institute
• WELTBETT And our complete supply chain for natural pillows and blankets is IDFL certified and audited

Cleaning and cleaning agents

As far as the development of detergents is concerned, the detergent industry is subject to the legal provisions of the Chemicals Act 2008 and its extension in 2010, which prohibits the testing of purer ingredients on animals as long as there are both scientifically satisfactory and practical results alternatives to the relevant tests. In addition, all products produced by WELTBETT are tested for the potential to switch to vegan alternatives, as well as for biodegradability, which means that no animal ingredients are used in their production and they do not leave a sustainable footprint in the environment.

5. Active implementation

At WELTBETT we implement our chemical requirements in close cooperation with our suppliers. The implementation of our internal requirements is carried out by the purchasing departments with the support of the responsible corporate governance drivers. Specific requirements, goals and measures are also implemented in close cooperation. We monitor the implementation at our suppliers and carry out risk-oriented assessments. If necessary, we reserve the right to have the requirements of our Chemicals Directive checked by internal and/or external audits. In addition, we expect our suppliers to ensure that all employees who are responsible for handling products, machinery or packaging that have an environmental impact are effectively trained to carry out routine practices in a way that minimises pollution qualified to promote good standards of chemical use in their areas of responsibility and in accordance with the Chemicals Act 2008 and 2010. This Chemical Policy is part of our Terms and Conditions. In cases where non-compliance with our guidelines is identified, suppliers must submit corrective action plans clearly stating how relevant non-compliances can be resolved within a specified timeframe. The managing directors are regularly informed about the status of implementation.

We strive to continuously improve products in our range to make them more chemical-free. In this context, we always consider the wishes of our customers and the market environment. The transition to chemically freer alternatives includes the following:

• Extension of the range of certified organic products,
• Expand the range of vegan products
• Expansion of the product range to include GOTS and Fairtrade certification
• Implementation of pilot projects to promote high chemical standards
• Improvement of "chemical-free" conditions for conventional products in cooperation with our suppliers.

As we want to offer more chemical-free products, an exchange with external partners is essential. We are therefore in close contact with NGOs, representatives of science and stakeholders.

Pilot projects and measures

WELTBETT actively implements sustainable practices in our products, packaging and production processes as required. Here are some pilot projects that WELTBETT has already implemented today:

• Our water treatment plant has helped us save water and keep our costs low since the early nineties.
• The use of exclusively biodegradable detergents has enabled us to dispose efficiently of the small amount of waste water we have.
• Best marks of all bedding manufacturers on mcgindex.com for suppliers of sustainable hospitality
• Partner in the pilot program of the first international hospitality providers to create a chemical footprint; led to the best position of a bedding manufacturer
• Completion of the self-assessed STeP audit for sustainable and chemical-free production
• DETOX certification for all our fabrics, as finished products and as raw materials, especially for bleaching

We are committed to maintaining these measures, extending them and adding further measures as the technology becomes available. We are also part of other pilot projects and initiatives that are helping to shape our industry and its sustainable performance:

Regular evaluations

Every year the current Chemistry Directive is evaluated and, if necessary, adapted. In the long term, this is the only way to ensure chemical-free and responsible procurement of our products, packaging and development of our production. In addition, we formulate goals and evaluate the extent to which these goals have been achieved on an annual basis.