FAIR TRADE AND ETHICAL PRACTICES

 
We’re proud that many of our retail partners are committed to making a positive difference to both people and the planet. Fair trade and ethical sourcing is now a primary business focus for many retailers who are on a journey of continuous analysis, action and improvement.

Here are a few examples of our retailers who have made a commitment to fair trade and ethical practices:

THE COTTON ON GROUP (Cotton On, Cotton On Kids, Cotton On Body)

A business that has ethical practices at its very heart is The Cotton On Group, which is focussed on ensuring it has a positive impact on its people, the community and the planet.

It is committed to making a positive impact to both communities and the planet, and continuously looks for ways to make improvements on its ethical and sustainable practices.

The Cotton On Group’s Ethical Framework states that its purpose is ‘To make a positive difference in people’s lives’, and this is reflected through all areas of its business and all its brands, including Cotton On, Cotton On Kids, and Cotton On Body.

This Ethical Framework includes protecting human rights across their supply chain, improving sustainability and minimising ecological harm, promoting fairness and equality for all its people and communities, and protecting women and girls from exploitation, sexualisation and objectification across all aspects of its business.

Pop by the Cotton On store or visit their website to check out more about The Cotton On Group’s Ethical Framework.

 

LORNA JANE

Aussie activewear brand Lorna Jane not only pioneered the Activewear fashion category, but are also leaders in ethical and sustainable business.

Rather than sourcing its products from many different factories, Lorna Jane built a long-term partnership with one dedicated and ethical Australian-owned and managed manufacturing group that solely produces Lorna Jane products. This allows Lorna Jane to make products that adhere to their own high standards when it comes to working conditions and quality.

Located in Ningbo, China, Lorna Jane’s manufacturing partner is a WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certified business. WRAP conduct the largest independent factory accreditation program in the world and ensures safe, humane and ethical manufacturing conditions.

Get your activewear from Lorna Jane and pop by the Lorna Jane website here.
 
 

SPECIALTY FASHION GROUP (Millers, Katies)

Specialty Fashion Group (SFG) has a commitment to ensuring working conditions are suitable in its partner factories, sharing its technical expertise with supply partners and investing for the future. SFG believe that better working conditions improve the efficiency of the supply chain, and that fairly paid and treated workers that operate in a healthy and safe environment are more productive, and in turn deliver a higher standard of quality of product.

SFG’s Vendor Code of Conduct sets out SFG’s policies regarding the social, environmental and standard of compliance that it requires from its business partners.

Its responsible sourcing policies include a pledge to ban the use of any cotton originating from Uzbekistan due to the possible use of child labour, a ban on the use of sandblasting in its denim manufacturing which protects workers from the ingestion of harsh contaminated fumes, and a ban on the use of angora fibre due to the concern about the treatment of Angora rabbits.

To read more about these and other ethical initiatives just visit the Specialty Fashion Group website.

 

COLES

Coles is committed to the ethical sourcing of its products, and values treating everyone with care, respect and fairness.

It also requires its suppliers and business partners to share its way of working and seeks their commitment to the Coles Ethical Sourcing Policy. Ethical sourcing is a commitment to the purchase of goods and services that are manufactured and provided in a way that does not involve exploitation, or represent a danger to health, safety or the environment.

Coles regularly audits suppliers operating outside Australia to ensure compliance with its policy, which includes commitments to safe and hygienic work conditions, appropriate wages being paid, no discrimination and no illegal or child labour.

To find out more about Coles ethics in practice, check out the Coles website or drop in to the Coles store.

 

WOOLWORTHS

Aussie supermarket Woolworths is committed to upholding human rights, not only with respect to its own employees but also in its supply chain. As a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the Woolworths Ethical Sourcing Policy supports and enacts a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption.

All new suppliers must complete a rigorous assessment including site inspections and ethical audits to ensure they meet the standards set in the Woolworths Ethical Sourcing Policy.

To find out more about ethical sourcing at Woolworths, visit the Woolworths website or pop in to the Woolworths store.
 
 

TARGET

Target’s Ethical Sourcing Program and Ethical Sourcing Code includes minimum requirements and expectations that all suppliers must meet as a condition of doing business with Target.

All suppliers must publish a supplied summary of Target’s Ethical Sourcing Code in a location that can be seen by all factory workers. This code forms part of the contract with its suppliers and is supported by a rigorous audit program, whereby suppliers commit to making continuous improvements in their operations.

As part of its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all workers who make products destined for its shelves, Target was one of the first Australian retailers to sign the Bangladesh Accord, an independent agreement designed to make all garment factories in Bangladesh safe workplaces. It includes independent safety inspections at factories and public reporting of the results of these inspections.

Target has also signed the Responsible Sourcing Network's Cotton Pledge, and is committed to not knowingly source Uzbek cotton for the manufacturing of any of products until forced child or adult labour practices are eliminated and verified.

Find out more about Target’s ethical sourcing program on the Target website and don’t forget to pop into our Target store.
 

Find out more about conscious consumption here.