In 2017, Inditex continued to integrate sustainability criteria for the use of water in all of its business areas, thanks to the implementation of its Global Water Management Strategy. The rational use of water and zero discharge commitment of undesirable chemical substances, directly related to water quality, are given special attention in the Master Plan for Water Management in the Supply Chain. We continue working for suppliers to follow the Green to Wear procedure in their wet processes through specific technical training projects. Since 2014 Inditex has been working with 1,075 wet processing mills as part of our Capacity Building project towards Zero Discharge. With each evaluation, we carry out an Environmental Monitoring Plan with individualized accompaniment, which allows our suppliers to optimize the facility.

We also verify compliance with the discharge parameters at the purification facilities. Since 2014, Inditex eliminated the use of undesired water repellents in the supply chain. Our commitment to zero discharge is also developed through the Free Policy of Perfluorocarbons (PFCs). This policy, mandatory for all our suppliers, demands the removal of perfluorocarbon compounds in the finishes of water repellence of our garments. Similarly, we inform our suppliers about PFCs free alternatives available on the market. In 2017 we worked with 195 direct suppliers to promote the substitution of these unwanted substances for more sustainable products.