Sandqvist

Sandqvist has been a Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) member since 2016. This independent organisation evaluates working conditions at textile and fashion manufacturers. Their 2022 brand performance check by FWF gave them a ​“Good” score, which was a vast improvement from their previous year’s ​“Needs Improvement” score, indicating their progress and commitment to ethical practices within their supply chain. 

The production of the Sandqvist bags takes place in three countries, including Vietnam (83.14% of the production), India (16.57%), Sweden (0.23), and China (0.06). The materials are sourced from Korea and India, with raw materials originating from India, Sweden and Japan. Finally, Sandqvist also cooperates with tanneries in India, Vietnam and Taiwan.

All of this brand’s organic cotton is sourced from small-scale Indian tribal farmers who are part of a cooperative and certified by Fairtrade to ensure healthy workplace practices and sustainable cotton sourcing.

Sandqvist backpacks and bags are made from mostly certified materials, including organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled nylon, and leather. 94% of the materials they use are certified by GRS (Global Recycling Standard), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), or LWG (Leather Working Group)

The tanneries that Sandqvist works with are all certified as silver or gold by the Leather Working Group (LWG). LWG is an international organisation dedicated to improving environmental performance in the leather industry. They do this by auditing the tannery to check that it works according to the best possible practices in the industry. They also check for the use of harmful chemicals and their possible release into the environment, as leather tanning is usually a very polluting process.

Their trims are produced from recycled materials, handtags from recycled paper and organic cotton, and fabric labels from recycled polyester. However, the brand does not mention its packaging material.

Sandqvist also has a comprehensive and strict chemical policy, which everyone in the supply chain must adhere to. This ensures the non-toxicity of the bags.

Unfortunately, Sandqvist’s products are not circular because the bags are treated with a water-resistant coating. Also, their material choices include polyester and cotton blends, which prevent the individual product’s circularity. According to the brand, this is necessary to ensure the sturdiness and quality of the backpacks and bags. However, a majority of the bags are monomaterial.

Sandqvist’s production is located in Asia, so they manage an extensive supply chain. To address the environmental impact of transportation, the brand has dedicated efforts to diminish its carbon footprint. In recent years, they have transitioned from air to sea freight in a significant move towards more sustainable transportation. This strategic change has led to a considerable decrease in their CO2 emissions, marking a positive step in their commitment to more environmental responsibility.

All leather used by Sandqvist is LWG (Leather Working Group) certified, ensuring auditing of animal husbandry. Some leather used in Sandqvist bags is labelled as a by-product of Swedish cattle farming. Due to stricter animal welfare regulations in Sweden, we assume that the animals live in relatively good conditions and are not killed for their leather alone.

One of Sandqvist’s five core values is the longevity of its products. Therefore, the brand only uses high-quality materials. The design of the bags is rather minimalistic, in a typical Scandinavian style. This ensures that the bags are timeless, thus enhancing their longevity and wearability.

On the Sandqvist website, you can find the right care method for your product, with the corresponding products to treat your bag. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your bag will withstand the test of time and the weather. 

If your bag needs to be repaired, you can contact the brand to request a spare part or get in touch with a professional repairer.

Sandqvist exemplifies transparency in the fashion industry, prominently featuring its annual sustainability report on the homepage of its website, inviting customers to delve into its practices. This report provides comprehensive details about their manufacturing partners, including the facilities’ names and specifics on the trims, zippers, and button suppliers. It offers insights into the scale of operations, geographical locations, ownership details, and any certifications achieved by their manufacturers. While the brand successfully sheds light on the correlation between materials and their corresponding facilities, this segment could benefit from greater clarity for easier comprehension.

The design of Sandqvist’s website stands out for its user-friendliness, allowing consumers to explore the brand’s commitment to sustainability effortlessly. This approach not only cultivates transparency but also encourages informed purchasing decisions by making it straightforward for consumers to understand the brand’s sustainability efforts.