2025
Impact Report
43
Standards and traceability :
mastering the framework
Two priorities emerge . First , the traceability of recy -
cled materials . If we want a robust and lasting solu -
tion , rigorous control over the sourcing of recycled
yarns is essential . This requires vigilance at every
stage , from raw material to f inished product . And
above all , it requires genuine collective work , with
fully committed suppliers .
Then come the standards . Harnesses are personal
protective equipment ( PPE ) , subject to very strict
standards that vary depending on countries and
uses . Petzl is now present in more than 60 coun
-
tries : European , American and Canadian standards
each impose their own performance and testing cri
teria It is impossible to change a material without
demonstrating to every relevant body that it offers
the same level of technical performance
Facing the facts
Optimising product design to reduce impact cannot
be done intuitively — it requires a clear diagnosis .
Before changing anything , we analyse the product ’ s
entire life cycle in detail , from the raw materials used
right through to end of life . The methodology : LCA
( Life Cycle Assessment ) . It enables us to identify the
most impactful stages and avoid false good ideas :
Which stages of the life cycle have the greatest
impact ? Which components should be addressed
f irst ? With which suppliers ? Could one modif ication
generate another impact ?
This is the context in which Maurine Solle , Textile
Engineer and Eco - Design Project Manager at Petzl ,
works Her mission to f ind alternatives that re
duce the environmental impact of products without
compromising reliability or safety It is an approach
that invites us to question the different types of re
sources we use their origins and their properties
When it comes to raw materials the f inding is clear
textiles carry the greatest weight particularly in
harnesses And when we look at the LCA results
we see that one third of this impact comes from the
safety straps So that is where action is needed
At Petzl , raw materials account for 64 % of our CO2 emissions .
They are the largest item in our carbon footprint . In other words ,
if we want to reduce the environmental footprint of our products ,
it all begins at the design stage , with the choice of materials .
Of course , carbon impact is central . But it is not the only factor .
Are the resources we use readily available ? Are they renewable ?
What happens to our product at the end of its life ? In a context
of increasing resource scarcity , eco - design is a concrete lever .
In theory , the approach seems fairly simple : use less virgin
material , incorporate more recycled or bio - based content .
Simple on paper . Much less so when it comes to manufacturing
personal protective equipment , which is subject to extremely
strict standards and designed to guarantee people ’ s safety .
Between regulatory requirements and technical performance ,
the choice of each material is strategic .
A recycled
material is not
less reliable
simply because
it is recycled
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