As the result of work with BSR's Sustainable Water Group, Gap Inc.'s newly launched Gap brand 1969 Premium Jeans are the first to carry messaging on the company's efforts to improve water quality in denim laundries. Gap Inc.'s Clean Water Program requires that all facilities that launder Gap Inc. jeans treat wastewater to ensure it's safe and clean before leaving the facility.

"BSR's work on water quality with Gap Inc. and others in the apparel industry has established a platform to address this complex supply chain issue," said BSR President and CEO Aron Cramer. "We are pleased that it has also created opportunities to communicate with consumers and stakeholders. As recent news reports indicate, ensuring clean water use throughout supply chains can be challenging, and we hope that these activities help improve conditions across the apparel industry and in the countries in which it operates."

In the late 1990s, Gap Inc. joined BSR's Sustainable Water Group, a partnership of companies including Nike, Inc. and Levi Strauss & Co. committed to managing water use and wastewater discharge in global textile supply chains. As a result of the company's participation, Gap Inc. initiated its Clean Water Program in 2004, one of the first of its kind in the apparel industry. Using the Water Quality Guidelines developed by the group, Gap Inc. expanded the program over five years, eventually requiring all of its approximately 100 approved denim laundries to adhere to the standards.

"We're excited our customers have the opportunity to learn, from the product itself, about the efforts we've taken to treat wastewater discharged in the laundering of our jeans," said Dan Henkle, SVP, Gap Inc. Global Responsibility. "BSR not only brought concerned industry peers together to address this complex issue facing the global textile supply chain, but was a critical partner in developing the water quality guidelines that serve as the basis of our program."

In addition to the companies above, members of BSR's Sustainable Water Group include American Eagle, Coldwater Creek, Inc., JCPenney Corporation, Inc., Nordstrom, Inc., and The Timberland Company. BSR's collective implementation approach helps the companies increase the effectiveness of their efforts, reduce the risk of supply chain disruption, and implement performance testing and improvement. Learn more at www.bsr.org/sustainable-water.

More information about Gap Inc.'s efforts can be found on its new social responsibility website at www.gapinc.com/socialresponsibility.

About BSR
A leader in corporate responsibility since 1992, BSR works with its global network of more than 250 member companies to develop sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. With six offices in Asia, Europe, and North America, BSR uses its expertise in the environment, human rights, economic development, and governance and accountability to guide global companies toward creating a just and sustainable world. Visit www.bsr.org for more information.

BSR

BSR

Since 1992, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) has been providing socially responsible business solutions to many of the world's leading corporations. Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Europe and China, BSR is a nonprofit business association that serves its 250 member companies and other Global 1000 enterprises. Through advisory services, convenings and research, BSR works with corporations and concerned stakeholders of all types to create a more just and sustainable global economy. For more information, visit www.bsr.org.

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