Our Responsibility

As an active part of society, we have a responsibility to contribute with the greatest possible commitment and the necessary humility. Fully aware that we cannot save the world on our own and that we cannot address every issue.
Together with more than 13,000 employees in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, as well as our retail partners around the world, we rely on recognized certification systems. A large proportion of our cotton products are certified in accordance with GOTS, RWS or Fairtrade standards, and as a partner of the Cotton made in Africa® initiative, we support a social business model that strengthens smallholder farming communities. In addition, we rely, for example, on renewable electricity for our own buildings and all branches within our sphere of influence, and we collaborate with renowned partner organisations such as UNICEF and well:fair to demonstrate our commitment beyond our core business.
We view this commitment, as part of our brand management, as a company-wide responsibility and, at the same time, as a matter for every individual within the company, from senior management to our store teams.

At Ernsting’s family, decisions are made taking into account criteria such as material origin, resource consumption, and working conditions across the dimensions of product, production, resources, employees, and social matters. Responsibility for these criteria and for how we do business is not merely the task of a dedicated department at our company. It is carried by an interdisciplinary, cross-hierarchical committee that includes representatives from all relevant departments as well as from logistics, sales, and the CEO.