Brothers We Stand Statement of Expectations For Own Brand Collection
This Statement of Expectations sets out the standards we expect the suppliers behind our own brand collection to meet.
We carry out careful research to ensure this is the case. We rely on a mixture of external certifications such as GOTS and clearly communicated practices. We build a picture of the supply chain behind our garments and ask direct questions of suppliers when the information we require is not publicly available. We then publicly share the most salient information in our ‘Look behind this…’ sections on product pages.
1. Clear positive social or environmental impact
We expect suppliers to go beyond legal compliance and be taking meaningful actions related to their core activities to have a positive impact on people and the planet.
Examples include using more sustainable materials such as organic cotton, seeking to minimise waste on the cutting floor and engaging with the payment of a real living wage.
2. Transparent supply chain
We expect suppliers to share transparent information about their own processes and the preceding steps in the value chain with us. This allows us to review processes to ensure they meet this Statement of Expectations and then publicly share key details in our ‘Look behind this…’ sections on product pages.
3. Workers rights upheld
We expect all suppliers involved with the production of our t-shirts to ensure the following basic standards (based on the International Labour Organisation labour rights and ETI base code) are met:
- No use of child labour
- No use of forced labour
- Safe and healthy working conditions
- Legal labour contracts
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
- No discrimination against employees
- No excessive hours of work
- Payment of legal minimum wage*
* Beyond this we actively engage our suppliers in discussions about the payment of a living wage and seek to have constructive dialogue with them on this matter. We publicly share the information shared in these discussions in our ‘Look behind this…’ sections on product pages.
4. Commitment to development
We expect the key suppliers involved with the production of our own brand collection to be open to honest and constructive conversations about areas where there may be room for further development regarding social and environmental impact.