The ALDO Group

Corporate Statement
November 2, 2015

The safety of our products and health of our customers is a top priority for the ALDO Group. We
strive to offer quality footwear and accessories that are in compliance with global standards.
Lead and cadmium are among a list of restricted substances that the ALDO Group monitors for
compliance. Although there are currently no established limits or legislation in Canada for lead
and cadmium in adult jewelry, the ALDO Group sets internal requirements based on global
regulations and industry standards, and we continually reassess and improve our practices of
establishing limits and monitoring vendor compliance with these limits.
The ALDO Group requires vendors to provide proof of compliance for products. We also perform
additional testing on products and monitor the restricted substance levels through independent
third party accredited laboratory tests. Products found not to meet the established internal ALDO
Group standards are removed from our stores.
We were disappointed to learn that the items tested by the CBC failed our own internal
guidelines, so we are taking steps to remove these items from all of our stores. We are committed
to increasing our monitoring efforts, and we will work with our vendors to enforce compliance
with our internal guidelines.

The ALDO Group

November 19, 2015

Extension of up-stream and downstream product testing

As a follow-up to the statement we issued to CBC Marketplace on November 2nd, we would like
to inform you of some of the additional measures ALDO Group is implementing to address
non-compliant inventory and enforce vendor compliance.
In collaboration with an independent third-party expert in heavy-metal testing, internal testing of
existing inventory will be extended to include products they assess to have the highest risk
characteristics. If non-compliant products are found they will be removed from stores.
Moving forward, we will also introduce focused testing of a broader sample of products prior to
distribution to our stores. This will include the highest risk products identified by the independent
third-party expert. Non-compliant products will be rejected and returned to the vendor.
We will also continue to work with vendors to promote compliance. Action will be taken against
non-compliant vendors through financial penalties as well as termination of contracts for
repeated non-compliance.