GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / March 15, 2022 / 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