On the road to greater transparency - Cads community meets in Berlin - The expertise of Dr Ines Anderie in demand
The ‘Cads Info Day’ is an essential date in the diary for all Cads members to find out about current regulations and new requirements in footwear manufacturing at an early stage. This year's Info Day, which took place on 10/11 December in Berlin, was once again attended by more than 60 participants from industry and retail. The focus was on the complex topics of the Digital Product Passport, ESPR (Eco-Design Regulation) and the circular economy.
On the first day, the sustainability experts met at the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration. Renowned speakers examined the topics of ESPR and DPP from different perspectives and presented solutions, including Dr Ines Anderie, Head of the Chemistry Department at PFI. The expert opened the event with a report on the activities of the cads chemicals working group. The focus of her contribution: the update of the Cads RSL 2025.
‘Shoes have a wide variety of materials, they require many auxiliaries such as adhesives, finishes, etc., and leather products in particular have special requirements that are not only taken into account in the Cads RSL, but are constantly updated by the inclusion of new test methods,’ said Dr Anderie with regard to the importance of the Cads RSL.
PFAS - a concern for the environment and health
The scientist sees considerable risks for the environment and health with PFAS, the so-called ‘eternal chemicals’, which are used in numerous everyday products (e.g. by spraying), are very long-lasting and spread in the environment.
‘Harmful effects on health have already been proven for some PFAS, which is particularly worrying in combination with longevity,’ warned Dr Ines Anderie.
With the new PFAS test method, which is expected to come into force as a textile standard in April/May 2025, polymers containing fluorine can be analysed in addition to free PFAS, which can lead to significantly higher PFAS levels. In order to avoid the deliberate use of PFAS, the CADS RSL provides for testing on hydrophobic or dirt-repellent materials.
The enormous complexity of the challenges facing the footwear and leather goods industry was evident in the various contributions on the topics of digital product passports and the Eco-Design Regulation. This also applies to the HDS/L project ‘Circular economy in the footwear industry. Creating cycles. Securing the future’, which was launched on day 2 with a kick-off meeting. For Cads Chairman Andreas Tepest, the workshop was a highlight of the Cads Info Day, ‘as it gives us the opportunity to discuss specific approaches to implementing extended producer responsibility’.
He sees the topics as particularly exciting: Collection and return of used shoes. ‘How can we organise a comprehensive and effective collection?’ Also: recycling solutions for complex products. ‘Which technologies and processes can help us to manage the variety of materials in shoes?’ Industry-specific standards. ‘The discussion about common requirements for materials and processes will be groundbreaking for the future of our industry,’ says Tepest.
His credo and appeal to the industry: ‘Despite the numerous challenges, regulation also offers opportunities that we should utilise. But we should take our customers with us. It's important that we don't suffocate in bureaucracy and continue to focus on our products.’
With expertise and know-how: PFI supports all companies on the path to greater transparency and sustainability.