A keen eye on people
Every day, the Group promotes the application of the standard and its principles not only throughout its own organization but also within the stakeholders in the supply chain.
SA8000 standard
The SA8000 is a voluntary international standard on social responsibility created with the aim to improve working conditions in every type of organization, regardless of size, sector and geographical location.
The standard is based on 9 fundamental requirements that must be respected and monitored. They keep into consideration workers’ rights, workplace conditions and the presence of an effective management system.
The 9 requirements are:
1. Child Labour
2. Forced or Compulsory Labour
3. Health and Safety
4. Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining
5. Discrimination
6. Disciplinary Practices
7. Working Hours
8. Remuneration
9. Management System
Reporting procedures
For example:
1. The reporting procedure allows anyone, completing this simple form, to make a report or a complaint, even anonymously, regarding the failure to comply with or the violation of the principles established by the SA8000 form.
2. The child labor remediation plan defines the actions to take to guarantee the health, safety and education of children if child labor is found within the supply chain.
Aquafil believes that the key to truly sustainable development lies in educating young people.
In 2018, Aquafil ranked first in the tenth edition of “Tu Sei”, a project aimed at bringing young people closer to industrial realities. Moreover, through the “school-work experience” program, our company offers internship opportunities held both in class and in our premises.
For example, the Group also finances medical research associations, such as the “Associazione per il Bambino in Ospedale” (ABIO) and Telethon, to support the most vulnerable.
Thanks to all these efforts, Aquafil has been able to establish solid, long-lasting relationships with the communities in which it operates.
Aquafil is co-founder of “Healthy Seas, a Journey from Waste to Wear”.
Aquafil is co-founder of “Healthy Seas, a Journey from Waste to Wear”. The foundation works with fishermen and volunteer divers to collect end-of-life nets, which are then transformed by Aquafil into ECONYL® regenerated yarn, ultimately becoming the main component of new sustainable products such as socks, swimwear, sportswear, and carpets.
Our Group operates in various countries, with very different cultural and social contexts.
For example, employees benefit from a series of initiatives aimed at promoting work-life balance, and safeguarding their health and security. In Italy, we have been involved in the Generational Relay Plan, a government program that aims to reduce the working hours of employees close to retirement (still supporting their income) to favor the hiring of young people.
Moreover, the Aquafil Group has adopted a Parental Leave Policy, which will be completed by 1st January 2026. The Parental Leave Policy entitles all Aquafil Group employees, who become parents through birth or adoption, to a minimum period of 14 weeks of paid maternity leave and 5 days of paid paternity leave.
Workers at our facilities in Croatia and China have access to free check-ups and prevention visits for the main forms of cancer.
For six weeks a year, we showcase informative materials on proper nutrition at our Slovenian, Chinese and Croatian plants, and distribute fresh seasonal fruit free of charge.
Collaborating with customers helps us push our innovative drive past our limits, while further spreading environmental awareness.
- ECONYL® Reclaiming Program: we have created a structured international network for the collection of waste, based on partnerships with public and private institutions.
- Take Back Programs: we have launched several initiatives in collaboration with Gucci, Ternua and Speedo USA for the recovery of fabric waste, which is then regenerated into new ECONYL® yarn.