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Manufacturers Ethical Policies
The Oeko-tex standard 100 is a globally uniform testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production.
Test for Harmful Substances The internationally binding test catalogue (can be found on their website), according to oeko-tex100, is based on scientifically proven parameters and is revised annually in line with the latest legislation and research. It includes:
Substances which are prohibited by law such as carcinogenic dye stuffs.
Substances which are regulated by law, such as formaldehyde, softeners, heavy metals or pentachlorophenol.
Substances which according to current knowledge are harmful to health, but which are not yet regulated or prohibited by law, such as pesticides, allergy inducing dyestuffs or tin-organic compounds.
Parameters such as colourfastness and a skin friendly ph value, which are precautionary measures to safeguard consumers health.
Industrial Standards
Oeko-tex www.oeko-tex.com
Fairtrade www.fairtrade.org.uk
Fairtrade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers and workers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalised by the conventional trading system.
In the Hired Labour standards, the social development criteria are intended to ensure that companies recognise and support Fairtrade as a means to increase the empowerment and well-being of their workers.They protect workers’ basic rights as defined in the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) relating to:
• freedom from discrimination (on the grounds of race, religion, gender, politics, and ethnic or social origin)
• freedom of association (the right to join a trade union) and collective bargaining
• fair conditions of employment (wages, working hours, overtime, sick pay, leave etc)
• no forced or child labour (minimum age of 15 years)
• occupational health and safety (a safe working environment).
To view the full list of International Labour Standards visit www.ilo.org
WRAP is an independent, non profit organisation dedicated to the certification of lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing throughout the world.
It is not enough that it’s principles are subscribed to, WRAP monitors the factory for compliance with detailed practices and procedures implied by adherence to these standards.
Laws andWorkplace Regulations
Manufacturers of sewn products will comply with laws and regulations in all locations where they conduct business.
Prohibition of Forced Labour
Manufacturers of sewn products will not use involuntary or forced labour – indentured, bonded or otherwise.
Prohibition of Child Labour
Manufacturers of sewn products will not hire any employee under the age of 14, or under the age interfering with compulsory schooling, or under the minimum age established by law, whichever is greater.
Prohibition of Harassment or Abuse
Manufacturers of sewn products will provide a work environment free of harassment, abuse or corporal punishment in any form.
Compensation and Benefits
Manufacturers of sewn products will pay at least the minimum total compensation required by local law, including all mandated wages, allowances and benefits.
Hours ofWork
Manufacturers of sewn products will assure that hours worked each day, and days worked each week, shall not exceed the legal limitations of the countries
in which apparel is produced. Manufacturers of sewn products will provide at least one day off in every seven day period, except as required to meet urgent business needs.
Prohibition of Discrimination
Manufacturers of sewn products will employ, pay, promote, and terminate workers on the basis of their ability to do the job, rather than on the basis of personal characteristics or beliefs.
Health and Safety
Manufacturers of sewn products will provide a safe and healthy work environment. Where residential housing is provided for workers, apparel manufacturers will provide safe and healthy housing.
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
Manufacturers of sewn products will recognise and respect the right of employees to exercise their lawful rights of free association and collective bargaining.
Environment
Manufacturers of sewn products will comply with environmental rules, regulations and standards applicable to their operations, and will observe environmentally conscious practices in all locations where they operate.
Customs Compliance
Manufacturers of sewn products will comply with applicable customs law and in particular will establish and maintain programs to comply with customers laws regarding illegal transhipment of apparel products.
Security
Manufacturers of sewn products will maintain facility security procedures to guard against the introduction or non-manifested cargo into outbound shipments (eg drugs, explosives, biohazards, and/or other contraband).
Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production www.wrapapparel.org
The Fair Labour Association www.fairlabour.org
The missions of the FLA is to combine the efforts of industry, civil society organisations, and colleges and universities to protect workers rights and improve working conditions worldwide by promoting adherence to international labour standards.The FLA holds its participants – those involved at every stage of the manufacturing and marketing process – accountable to the FLA workplace code of conduct. At it’s core, the FLA is built on four pillars:
Collaborative Action
The FLA’s broad makeup provides a unique power and effectiveness to improve the situation of workers in factories across the globe. In all of its programs and initiatives, the FLA leverages the strength of its diverse membership to effect positive change in working conditions.The FLA also works with governments, other labour and human rights groups, and local trade unions and NGOs in its projects.
Monitoring,Transparency and Public Reporting
Companies who join the FLA commit to public reporting on the conditions in their supplier factories, to establish internal systems for monitoring working conditions and maintaining code standards, and to being part of a rigorous system of monitoring.
Ensuring Remediation
The FLA requires that companies work with the factories to ensure that violations of the code are corrected through development of a remediation plan. In addition, the FLA conducts verification audits to confirm ongoing progress in audited factories.
Third Party Complaints
Anyone – a worker, advocate, company or individual – can contact the FLA to report code violations at a factory supplying products to a member company. Complaints are confidential and are rigorously investigated.When violations are found, the FLA publicly reports them and works with all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions.
Processes and the environment
Custom Screen Printing Using Plastisol or Water-Based Inks.
Using plastisol inks we achieve print production and then oven cure quickly, whilst matching exactly any Pantone colour. Apart from the print colours being more vibrant, final product has a better wash resistance compared to water base inks, thus increasing image longevity. For clean up following plastisol printing, we use a mild spirit solvent. Waste Ink: with plastisol we produce very little waste. If ever plastisol ink is to be sent to waste, it is oven cured to reach a curing temperature which is then a solid and with no environmental impact into the water table. Most modern plastisol inks are Phthalate-free.
Water-Based Ink
For our water based printing inks, we use ‘Green Galaxy’ inks manufactured by Royonet.
Green Galaxy inks has dedicated over a decade to research and developing high quality, environmentally friendly water-based and discharge printing inks.
Phthalate and PVC free water based inks are more difficult to print with and are slightly more expensive, so it is slightly more expensive than plastisol printing ink. You can also achieve a softer hand print using water based ink systems.
