Ethical Standards

       
We pride ourselves on sourcing our fabrics and products from eco-friendly sustainable sources. Wherever possible we use organic, climate neutral or recycled items. All of our printed items are manufactured using eco-friendly, water based and 100% vegan inks that are free of solvents and have less detrimental impact on the environment.

Below we have listed all of the brands that we use for supplying our garments and products and you can read a little more about their ethical standards.

Continental Clothing Co.

Continental Clothing focuses on creating high quality, expertly styled and responsibly manufactured garments for markets such as fashion retail, music merchandise, corporate promotions and leisure.

The Company owns three unique award-winning brands – Continental®, EarthPositive® and Salvage® – that are among the most up-to-date blank garment brands in the world.

Continental Clothing Co. is licensed by the Control Union to supply fully certified organic products in accordance with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Licence number CU814142. The aim of the standard is to define world-wide recognised requirements that ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer. Textile processors and manufacturers are enabled to export their organic fabrics and garments with one certification accepted in all major markets. Approved are natural fibres that are certified organic and fibres from conversion period certified according to recognised international or national standards and certified by any IFOAM accredited or internationally recognised certifier. Key criteria for processing and manufacturing include environmental, technical quality and human toxicity, social, and quality assurance system. www.global-standard.org

 

Organic blended content standard:

Continental Clothing Co. is certified under the Organic Content Standard by Control Union Certifications, licence CU 814142. The goal of the Organic Content Standard (OCS) is to ensure trust in organic content claims. The  OCS  accomplishes  this  goal  by  verifying  the  presence  and  amount  of  organic  material  in  a  final  product.    It  provides  a  strong  chain  of  custody  system  from  the  source  of  the  organic  raw  material  to  the  final  product  through  certification.  It  allows  for  transparent,  consistent,  and  comprehensive  independent  evaluation  and  verification  of  organic  material  content  claims  on  products  by  an  accredited certification  body.  As  a  business-to-business  tool,  the  OCS  may  be  used  to  ensure  that  products  companies purchase actually contain organic material. The  Standard  does  not  cover  the  certification  of  the  raw  material  itself,  which  is  verified  independently  of  the  production  process  certification.  It  also  does  not  address  processing  inputs  (e.g.  chemicals),  environmental  aspects  of  processing  (e.g.  energy  or  water  usage),  social  issues,  safety  issues,  or  legal  compliance. www.textileexchange.org

Global recycled standard:

Continental Clothing Co. products displaying the Global Recycled Standard symbol are certified by the Control Union Certifications, licence CU 814142. The Global Recycled Standard is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled content from pre- and post-consumer waste, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. The GRS is intended to meet the need of companies looking to verify the recycled content of their products (both finished and intermediate products) and to verify responsible social, environmental, and chemical practices in the production of these products. The objectives of the GRS are to define requirements to ensure accurate content claims, good working conditions, and that harmful environmental and chemical impacts are minimized. The GRS addresses the flow of products within and between companies, and covers manufacturing, storage, handling, and shipping. The GRS applies to the supply chain, including all owners up to the final seller in the last B2B transaction.

Confidence in textiles:

Continental Clothing Co. products are tested and certified under OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Class I by Shirley Technologies under certificate number 11-20489. The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production. The testing for harmful substances always focuses on the actual use of the textile. The more intensive the skin contact of a product, the stricter the human ecological requirements to be met. The Continental Clothing certificate meets Class I criteria for textile items for babies and toddlers up to 3 years, the highest of the four classes of certification. The certified articles fulfill the requirements of Annex VII of REACH (incl. the use of azo-dyes, nickel, etc.) as well as the American requirement regarding total content of lead in children’s articles. The conformity is verified by audits. www.oeko-tex.com

Reducing with the carbon trust:

In January 2008, Continental Clothing Co.  became the first company in the world to calculate the carbon footprint and place the Carbon Reduction Label on textile products. We have reduced the carbon footprint of EarthPositive® products by around 90% through a combination of innovative product design, low impact organic agriculture, efficiency in manufacturing, and by replacing standard grid electricity with renewable wind power. We do not use carbon offsets and our footprint calculations were certified by the Carbon Trust Certifications in the U.K. It has been calculated that a single EarthPositive® T-shirt saves around 7 kilograms of CO2e, whereas a hooded sweatshirt saves up to 28 kgs. Having taken the greenhouse gas emissions to pre-industrial levels, all the EarthPositive® products carry the registered mark “Climate Neutral”.

Fairtrade cotton:

Continental Clothing Co. is a registered licensee of the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO), licence no: 35360 All the products displaying the Fairtrade mark are produced from cotton that is Fairtrade certified and sourced from Fairtrade producers. The Fairtrade Max Havelaar Cotton Mark means that the cotton has been produced by small-scale farmer organisations or plantations that meet Fairtrade social, economic and environmental standards. The standards include protection of workers’ rights and the environment, payment of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and an additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in business or community projects. www.fairtrade.net  / www.fairtrade.org.uk

Peta Approved:

All products of Continental Clothing Co. manufactured under organic textile standards are PETA-Approved Vegan by PeTA Foundation (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Vegan fashion – clothes, shoes and accessories that contain no leather, fur, wool, skin, exotic skins or any other animal-derived fabric – is revolutionising the way that we shop and dress. As more and more people vow never to clothe themselves in cruelty, retailers and designers are meeting the demand for animal-friendly clothes in style. www.peta.org.uk/living/peta-approved-vegan

Fair wear foundation member:

Continental Clothing Co. has been running a pro-active social responsibility programme as a member of Fair Wear Foundation since  2006. All the Company’s manufacturing facilities are regularly audited for social compliance and are running active monitoring programmes in accordance with standards advocated by the International Labour Organisation, the Ethical Trading Initiative and other international bodies. The Company publishes an annual Social Report. Continental Clothing Co. has adopted a robust policy with regard to the following minimum social responsibility criteria: No use of child labour No use of forced labour Safe and healthy working conditions Legal labour contracts Payment of living wage Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining No discrimination against employees No excessive hours of work Fair Wear Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization striving to improve working conditions in the textile industry. The foundation is an initiative by trade organizations in the textile sector, trade unions and NGO’s. Fair Wear Foundation verifies that member companies implement a Code of Labour Practice along their supply chain and checks compliance by monitoring audits and remediation efforts. Annual reporting by member companies and by FWF itself promotes transparency at all levels. Continental Clothing Co. holds the Leader  category of membership. www.fairwear.org

 

Stanley & Stella

Stanley & Stella produces highly certified products (GOTS, OE 100, OE Blended, OEKO TEX, REACH) made of organic cotton.

They are pioneers in the market in production of fashionable premium apparel, intended for direct printing and embroidery. They are focused on modern cuts, colors and details. Their product range is updated every year with adding more types and colors responding to worldwide fashion trends.

Fashionable.

Stanley/Stella is fashion-conscious clothing realised through original design and dedication to detail. With cuts and colours aligned with current trends, our innovative creations beg attention from those who care what they wear. Coordinated sets of items for men, women, teenagers and children mean everybody can share the same look.

Premium.

Stanley/Stella is uncompromised premium quality throughout. From the range of styles, cuts, fabrics and colours we offer through to construction and decoration. Quality that comes from dedicated attention to every detail through every aspect of every production phase. The quality and care that goes into our clothes reflects our values as a company. As does the outstanding quality of service that comes with them, because we believe that’s what you deserve.

Sustainable.

Stanley/Stella was conceived from a belief that the textiles industry has to start acting a lot more responsibly. As we see it, change is the only option. And that starts with being aware that every purchasing choice can make a difference. We are committed to genuine sustainability right through our supply chain. Our affiliation with Fairwear Foundation (Corporate Social Responsibility) as well as our high standard certifications (GOTSOE 100OE BlendedOEKO TEX, REACH) prove our commitment to sustainable practices. From fibre sourcing to distribution of the finished product, we scrutinise every process and every supplier for sustainability. Below you can find an overview of our efforts.

https://www.fairwear.org/about/approach/

BELLA+CANVAS

Corporate Responsibility

BELLA+CANVAS and All Sport (Color Image Apparel, Inc. brands) are committed to maintaining and upholding responsible workplace and environmental standards. All US production and office facilities have received Platinum accreditation from WRAP. We only work with partners who share our values of a humane and safe workplace and are in the process of getting all our international facilities WRAP certified as well.

What Is WRAP?

WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) is a globally recognized, independent 3rd party certifying body whose mission is to promote ethical, humane and lawful conditions and practices in all manufacturing facilities. Companies accepted into the WRAP organization go through an extensive application process in which manufacturing facilities, working environments, and worker’s rights are inspected and approved by the WRAP association. WRAP certifications are awarded based upon both internationally and nationally accepted humane workplace standards, local laws, and ethical manufacturing regulations.

What Principles Does the WRAP Certification Include?

  • Human resources management
  • Health and safety standards
  • Environmental and eco-friendly practices
  • Legal compliance including import/export and customs compliance and security standards

http://www.wrapcompliance.org/

We are a green company through and through. By focusing on energy reduction, water reduction and waste reduction, we analyze every stage of our production process—taking every opportunity to minimize our ecological footprint. Our ultra-efficient dye machines save over 24 million gallons of water a week and our manufacturing facilities produce almost zero landfill.

Here at BELLA+CANVAS, we have a USA-strong approach to production. This means that almost the entire manufacturing process takes place right here in America. We’re designing it here, dyeing it here and cutting it here. The garments are then assembled in the U.S. or Central America. All of our production is 100% sweatshop-free and Platinum W.R.A.P. Certified.

   

ANVIL

RESPONSIBILITY IS WOVEN INTO EVERYTHING WE MAKE

As part of the Gildan family of brands, ensuring that our products are manufactured sustainably and responsibly is simply part of our DNA. As one of the world’s largest vertically integrated manufacturers of basic apparel, socks and legwear, our company has direct visibility over the entire manufacturing process, from raw fibres to the finished products.

This ‘complete life cycle’ perspective allows us to uncover positive environmental and social impacts that many brands cannot even see. We also leverage the accumulated expertise from our own manufacturing operations to positively influence the small percentage of our products that are outsourced.

Gildan’s Genuine Responsibility™ programme, developed over the last 15 years, leads the way in corporate social responsibility practices across four key pillars:

  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Community Engagement
  • Labor Empowerment and Compliance
  • Product and Quality Assurance

This robust and transparent programme provides the framework for all of the company’s activities and is built into our overall corporate strategy. We have come to understand that operating responsibly by treating our employees with respect and dignity, providing safe and ethical work environments and continuously finding new ways to reduce our impact is critical to our success and future growth.

The rich 100-year history of the ANVIL® brand includes many evolutions. Our promise to you is to deliver fashionable products that fit your lifestyle without compromising your values.

For more information on our Genuine Responsibility™ programme, including our 2015 performance updates, visit genuinegildan.com. When referring to the company to which ANVIL® belongs, it refers to Gildan Activewear Inc. and its affiliates.

  • WRAP®: Awarded to our sewing facilities in Bangladesh, Central America and the Caribbean basin.
  • SEDEX®: Gildan is a member of SEDEX®.
  • Oeko-Tex®: All Gildan® and ANVIL® branded apparel (except ANVIL® caps) is certified under Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 Class I or II. CLICK HERE to view our current Oeko-Tex® certificates.
  • ANVIL® and TrackMyT® are registered trademarks owned by Gildan Activewear SRL.

© 2016-2018 Gildan Activewear SRL

http://www.wrapcompliance.org/

Gildan is committed to developing and implementing innovative solutions that reduce our environmental footprint.

Gildan is committed to instituting leading working conditions in the apparel industry.

Gildan is committed to playing an active role in strengthening the social fabric of the communities in which we work.

Gildan is committed to building sustainability, safety and quality assurance into every phase of production.

American Apparel

At American Apparel, we believe that making clothing can improve lives while respecting the environment, the planet, the world we live in.

Sweatshop Free

Our factories provide a safe and stimulating workplace for over 48,000 people around the world. One of our goals is to always provide a positive work environment for all of our employees.

All production employees at our owned facilities earn significantly more than the legally-mandated minimum industry wages in all the countries where we operate. Moreover, in the majority of our locations, our employees receive valuable competitive benefits such as 24-hour access to onsite medical clinics, free transportation to and from work, subsidized meals, and access to financial aid programs. These incentives have had a direct and positive impact on the quality of life of our employees, their families and their communities.

In the coming years, we will continue to develop initiatives that will build on our existing employee relations practices and ensure that our health and safety practices are among the best in the apparel industry. We will continue to strengthen our training and development programs with the objective of creating an increased number of advancement opportunities for our employees.

http://global.americanapparel.com/en/sweatshop-free-stories_cat3110004

Sustainability/Biotop System

The Biotop, a 100% natural way of treating and filtering used water, is located in our Honduran and Dominican Republic facilities. The Biotop system has been in use since these facilities’ inception.

The purpose of the system is to treat wastewater through a series of interconnected lagoons. The lagoons naturally stabilize the wastewaters’ pH. Our Biotop wastewater treatment process has yielded excellent results while maintaining an extremely rich ecosystem beside our production facilities

Wastewater sent for treatment to the Biotop is monitored in accordance with the following indicators: biological oxygen demand (BOD5); chemical oxygen demand (COD); pH; total dissolved solids (TDS); total suspended solid (TSS); oxygen; oil and grease; temperature; coliform bacteria; colour; Kjeldahl nitrogen; ammonial nitrogen; phosphorus; detergents; phenols; sulfide; and heavy metals. We do not discharge water into any protected rivers and/or wetlands.

OUR METHODS

  • We fully recognise the importance of the people and the countries where we manufacture and ask that any manufacturer or supplier associated with us share our commitment to fair and safe working practices.
  • What follows below is a summary of our Code of Conduct relating to the Manufacture of our goods (from design through manufacture to shipment). Further information and clarification is available from us if required.
  • All of our factories (must) operate in full compliance of their country relating to all applicable laws, rules and regulations – including labour, worker health, safety and the environment.
  • All workers must be treated with respect and dignity and must not be subject to physical, verbal, sexual or psychological harassment in connection with their employment*
  • All suppliers and factories must adhere to the all applicable labour laws including those related to hiring, wages, hours worked, overtime and working conditions*
  • Workers must be free to join and organise any unions or associations of their own choosing. Where local laws limit the right of freedom of association, employers shall not obstruct alternative and legal means of free association.
  • There will be no use of forced labour.