The characteristics of the PEF design for a pants by DE CECCO (professional workwear): opportunities and difficulties.

Textile industry is characterized by a linear economy of production, consumption, waste with less than 1% of clothing being recycled into new clothing. There is an urgent need for the textile industry to shift to circular practices, supporting the system through reuse or recycling.
Design plays an important role in the transition towards a more sustainable and circular fashion industry; it must consider technical factors such as the material composition, chemicals, pattern construction, manufacturing and production processes in order to minimize environmental impact and enable reuse and recycling. But also, on the other hand, design for circularity is about influencing consumer behaviour, and encouraging new ways of consuming fashion that prolonges or optimises the use of a product. As such, it requires to go beyond a ‘traditional’ role of a designer focusing mainly on aesthetics and function, into considering the larger system a product is part of and its end of life already at the outset.

The Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) project was initiated with the aim of developing a harmonised European methodology for Environmental Footprint (EF) studies that can accommodate a broader suite of relevant environmental performance criteria using a life-cycle approach. A life-cycle approach refers to taking into consideration the spectrum of resource flows and environmental interventions associated with a product or organisation from a supply chain perspective. It includes all stages from raw material acquisition through processing, distribution, use, and end-of-life processes, and all relevant related environmental impacts, health effects, resource-related threats and burdens to society.
The Mario De Cecco SpA is a small but competitive reality has become an international leader, in the production of workwear, professional, promotional and distribution of ppe safety.
Today, with 400 people, plants and wharehouses in Italy, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Singapore, Confezioni Mario De Cecco can cover the needs of logistics coming from all markets.

Mario De Cecco SpA has all the most important certifications, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, SA 8000 and the OEKO-TEX certifications. Aside from the system certifications mentioned above, Mario De Cecco SpA is also able to produce garments in accordance with OEKO-TEX®️ Standard 100, attesting that the product does not contain any harmful substances for the human health.

And now it has started the PEF project to increase sustainability in textile production.