Glossary of Terms

 A 

  • Accountability Standards: Gemline’s framework ensuring measurable progress in social, environmental, and product responsibility. 
  • Aware™: Traceability technology authenticating recycled materials in textiles using a Digital Product Passport. 

B 

  • B Corporation (Certified): Certification for companies meeting high standards of social and environmental performance. 
  • Betterway™: Gemline’s CSR framework focusing on people, planet, and products. 
  • Bluesign®: Certification for chemical safety and sustainable textile production. 
  • BPA (Bisphenol A): Eliminated synthetic chemical in Gemline's food-contact products due to health risks. 

C 

  • Carbon Accountability: Tracking lifecycle emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3) of Gemline’s products. 
  • Carbon Offsets: Projects funded to neutralize emissions, including reforestation and methane control. 
  • Certified Evergreen: A designation from the Tugboat Institute recognizing companies committed to long-term, purpose-driven growth with sustainable practices. 
  • Certifications: Verifications like FSC, GRS, RCS, GOTS, Bluesign®, and Oeko-Tex® that validate ethical and environmental claims. 
  • Circular Design Principles: Design focused on longevity, reusability, recyclability, and low environmental impact. 
  • Cleaner Materials: Materials verified to be free of harmful chemicals like PFAS, PVC, BPA, and phthalates. 
  • Climate Label Certified: Recognizes companies applying carbon fees and funding carbon reduction. 
  • Code of Conduct: Gemline's ethical guidelines covering social, environmental, and legal responsibilities. 
  • Community Partnerships: Relationships supporting nonprofits and local causes. 
  • Corporate Sustainability: Long-term approach to social and environmental responsibility. 
  • CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility): Business model of social accountability. 

D 

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI): Practices creating an inclusive workplace at Gemline. 

E 

  • EcoVadis: Platform assessing corporate sustainability performance. 
  • Employer-Supported Volunteering (ESV): Gemline program for paid community service hours. 
  • Environmental Stewardship: Efforts to reduce environmental impact through responsible resource use. 

F 

  • FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): Certification for responsible forestry practices. 

G 

  • GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Emissions: Carbon emissions tracked and managed by Gemline. 
  • GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Certification for organically produced textiles. 
  • GRS (Global Recycled Standard): Verifies recycled content and ethical production. 

L 

  • Longevity: Designing products to last longer and reduce waste. 

N 

  • Natural Materials & Fibers: Renewable resources like jute, cotton, and bamboo. 
  • Net-Zero Waste: Gemline’s status of sending no waste to landfills from HQ operations. 

O 

  • Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP): Plastic waste recovered before it enters oceans. 
  • Oeko-Tex®: Certification ensuring textiles are free from harmful substances. 

P 

  • PFAS: Toxic "forever chemicals" removed from all Gemline products.
  • Phthalates: Plasticizers eliminated due to health risks. 
  • Preferred Materials: Recycled, natural, and recyclable materials, and products that encourage reduction in the use of single-use plastics prioritized in products. 
  • PrimaLoft®: Recycled insulation material. 
  • Public Benefit Corporation (PBC): Legal status requiring balance of profit and purpose. 
  • PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Hazardous plastic largely eliminated from products. 

R 

  • RCS (Recycled Claim Standard): Verifies recycled content in finished products. 
  • Recyclable Materials: Materials that can be reprocessed and reused. 
  • Recycled Materials: Post-consumer content reused to reduce environmental impact. 
  • Repreve®: Polyester made from post-consumer plastic waste. 
  • Responsible Sourcing: Ethical procurement practices ensuring supply chain integrity. 

S 

  • Scope 1, 2, 3 Emissions: Categories of carbon emissions tracked in sustainability reports. 
  • SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals): UN goals that guide Gemline’s social/environmental impact. 
  • Small Business Network: A collaborative group of small businesses that support each other through shared values, resources, and community-focused initiatives. 
  • SMETA, BSCI, SA 8000: Auditing standards for ethical sourcing and labor conditions. 
  • Solar Power Generation System: Facility producing renewable energy at HQ. 
  • Social Accountability Audits: Third-party verifications of ethical standards in supply chain. 

T 

  • Tritan Renew: Recycled copolyester certified by ISCC. 

V 

  • Vendor Social Accountability Program: Gemline initiative managing responsible sourcing directly. 

W 

  • Waste Management: Practices to reduce, recycle, and eliminate waste from landfills.