We require that all our manufacturing partners sign our code of conduct. In addition, we use third-party certifications and audits from other reputable sources to ensure we're working with responsible partners. These can vary based on what our partners produce, and where they are located. Here's some more information on the audits and certifications we reference.
WRAP
WRAP has a long-standing history of being a non-bias, third-party institution that does not make profits off fees while ensuring factories offer healthy working conditions for their employees. More details on their history here.
WRAP also is a self-guided process for our factories and makes them "engage in the process" of compliance requirements. Information on the certification process can be found here.
Some of our manufacturing partners are already WRAP-certified, and we are actively working to ensure more of our manufacturing partners are obtaining this certification.
BSCI
BSCI, or Business Social Compliance Initiative, offers a report of how a factory is doing in regard to BSCI's 11 Principles (aka Code of Conduct). It also offers an easy to understand letter grade and clear visibility into factory performance.
Marine Layer's goals for WRAP certification and BSCI reporting are:
Marine Layer's goals for WRAP certification and BSCI reporting are:
- 2019 - 100% WRAP Certification for all manufacturing partners + BSCI of C or above for Tier 1 Vendors
- 2020 - 100% WRAP Certification for all manufacturing partners (with renewed certificates) + BSCI of B for Tier 1, BSCI of C for Tier 2,
- 2021 - 100% WRAP Certification for all manufacturing partners (with renewed certificates) + BSCI of A for Tier 1, BSCI of B for Tier 2 and Tier 3
SEDEX
SEDEX is a Europe-based organization that strives to bring members together, sharing "many kinds of different data, standards, and certifications, to make informed business decisions, and to drive continuous improvement across their value chains."
They offer the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA).
SMETA is designed for suppliers to share one audit with multiple customers, meeting multiple customer requirements and reducing duplication in ethical auditing. SMETA has three elements:
- 1. A common Best Practice Guidance on conducting ethical trade audits
- 2. A common Audit Report format
- 3. A common Corrective Action Plan format.
This PDF goes into more detail.
Intertek
Intertek is based in Europe, and for "130 years, companies around the world have depended on Intertek to help ensure the quality and safety of their products, processes, and systems."
They do everything from facilitating fabric testing — to quality assurance efforts in each of the areas of their operations including R&D, raw materials sourcing, components suppliers, manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and retail channels, and consumer management."
Specifically, we accept the Intertek Workplace Conditions Assessment (WCA) which addresses the following:
- Labor (Child/Forced Labor, Discrimination, Discipline, Harassment/Abuse, Freedom of Association, Labor Contracts)
- Wages and Hours (Wages and Benefits; Working Hours)
- Health and Safety (General Work Facility, Emergency Preparedness, Occupational Injury, Machine Safety, Safety Hazards, Chemical and Hazardous Material, Dormitory and Canteen)
- Management Systems (Documentation and Records, Worker Feedback and Participation, Audits and Corrective Action Process)
- Environment (Legal Compliance, Environmental Management Systems, Waste and Air Emissions)