SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company,
is pleased to announce that Frank Kempe has been appointed Global Softlines
Technical Manager.
Frank, who is based in Germany, takes responsibility for
Strategic Development for Sustainability, Chemical Testing and Management
across SGS’s worldwide Textile and Footwear divisions.
Frank’s expertise in sustainability and product compliance stems from a ten-year
career in chemical compliance management positions across a range of softlines
brands. His focus on environmental responsibility for the apparel and footwear
industry has seen the initiation and delivery of sustained results and
effective change across a wide range of quality and sustainability topics,
including product safety, sustainable materials and resources efficiency.
Following his appointment Frank achieved selection to the Apparel
and Footwear International RSL Management (AFIRM)’s Laboratory Technical
Advisory Committee (LabTAC).
Frank
said: “I am delighted to join SGS and LabTAC at this critical time for the
global apparel and footwear industry. Governments and businesses are under
increasing pressure to take prompt action on climate change, for instance by
using safer and more sustainable chemicals and developing alternative
technologies, and we are seeing the importance of chemical management through
the supply chain. I look forward to supporting the industry during this
challenging time as we work together to enable a better, safer world.”
Founded in 2004, the AFIRM Group is a membership organization of
apparel and footwear companies collaborating to promote chemicals management in
the global supply chain. LabTAC comprises five technical representatives from
global laboratory networks selected every two years from eligible applications.
Frank and his fellow LabTAC members will work together to support AFIRM’s
vision and mission to advance the global management of restricted substances in
apparel and footwear.
Specifically, the Committee will support AFIRM on test method
issues and maintenance of the Restricted Substances List (RSL) on an annual
basis and communicate information about RSL to their members throughout the
supply chain, facilitating the exchange of ideas for improving RSL management
in the future.
Frank has previously represented and participated in various
industry groups including Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) and the
German Partnership of Sustainable Textiles.
For further information, please contact:
Keith
Tsang
Senior Service Development Manager
Connectivity & Products
Email: cp.media@sgs.com
About SGS
We are SGS – the
world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized
as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 96,000 employees operate
a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a
better, safer and more interconnected world.