I. Supplier Product Compliance

 

As a sustainably focused company, EcoPlum is committed to reducing the amount of plastic accumulating as waste in our landfills and oceans, particularly virgin plastic and single-use plastic generated in the manufacturing of products it sells, as well as the packaging used to protect and ship products.   

 

A. Products.

 

With each new product sold to EcoPlum, suppliers are required to provide clear, transparent product information on ingredients, materials, processes, country of origin, and manufacturing facilities.  When applicable, suppliers shall also substantiate the status of criteria described, e.g. USDA organic, Fair Trade Federation, Fair Labor Association, or Forest Stewardship Council, using third-party labeling or other affiliate designation.  

 

B. Guidelines for Product Packaging.

 

EcoPlum encourages use of all kinds of sustainable boxes, particularly recycled cardboard with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content. Packaging materials must be as environmentally friendly as possible with a focus on the elimination of excess plastic wrap, particularly single-use plastic and virgin plastic. Recycled plastic is suitable for use as a packaging material. Bubble wrap is to be avoided; air packets and crinkle paper are preferable.

 

C. Public Disclosure.

 

Suppliers are required by EcoPlum to provide an annual complete, current list of corporate names, addresses, and contacts of all factories, manufacturers, and subcontractors involved in the production, manufacture, or sale of branded products to EcoPlum and its clients. See attached Schedule A for template.

 

II. Workplace Conduct for EcoPlum Suppliers

A. Ethics and Integrity.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall conduct business honestly and ethically throughout their operations, adhering to high standards of professional conduct and integrity. 

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall comply with the laws and regulations referred to in this document, or any other laws and regulations governing their business in the United States and in foreign markets where they produce their products. 

 

 

B. Forced Labor.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall not use any forced labor, whether in the form of prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor, or otherwise.

 

C. Child Labor.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall not violate any child labor laws of the country of manufacture.  No supplier or subcontractor shall employ any person who is under:  (i) the age of 15 (or 14 where the law of the country of manufacture allows), or (ii) the age for completing compulsory education in the country of manufacture (if 15 or higher).

 

Workers shall not be forced to work overtime hours that would prevent them from attending school.

 

D. Harassment or Abuse.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall treat every employee with respect and dignity. Suppliers and their subcontractors shall not subject any employee to any physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal harassment or abuse.

 

E. Nondiscrimination.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall not subject any person to any discrimination in employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination, or retirement, on the basis of gender identity, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, nationality, political opinion or political affiliation, union involvement, or social or ethnic origin.

 

Nothing in the above should be construed as preventing suppliers or their subcontractors from retaining and/or rewarding workers on the basis of seniority, nor in pursuing equal opportunity employment practices.

 

F. Health and Safety.

 

Employers shall provide a safe and healthy working environment to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with, or occurring in the course of work, or as a result of the operation of employer facilities. Workers shall not be exposed to hazards, including glues and solvents, that may endanger their health and safety.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall comply with local and national health and safety laws, and health and safety standards established by the International Labor Organization. Where there are conflicts or differences among these standards, the higher standard shall prevail. Suppliers and their subcontractors shall provide safe and healthy work places, which shall include, but are not limited to, adequate fire protection, emergency exits that are accessible at all times, clean air, clean water, adequate rest periods, unrestricted use of toilets, and the right to leave work without penalty to receive medical care. Any residential facilities provided by licensees and their subcontractors must meet the same standards.

 

G. Fair Labor.

 

All suppliers must affiliate with the Fair Labor Association. Any supply source from Bangladesh must become signatories to the RMG Sustainability Council.

 

H. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall recognize and respect the right of employees to the freedom of association and collective bargaining. Suppliers and their subcontractors shall not prevent or cooperate with those who would prevent, workers from organizing for purposes of collective bargaining. Suppliers and their subcontractors shall allow union organizers free access to employees. Suppliers and their subcontractors shall recognize the union of the employees’ choice.

 

I. Wages and Benefits.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors must recognize that wages are essential for workers to meet their basic needs. Therefore, suppliers and their subcontractors must provide a “living wage.” Employees may not be required to work overtime in order to earn a “living wage.”

 

For the purposes of this document, “living wage” shall mean a monetary amount that meets basic food, housing, medical, clothing, educational, transportation, and other essential needs. Specific levels of “living wage” are determined for individual workers or households in each country.

 

Special consideration shall be given to suppliers who demonstrate continuous improvement in wages and/or who engage in collective bargaining.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall also comply with all applicable local laws and regulations. Deductions from wages for disciplinary purposes shall not be permitted.

 

J. Hours of Work and Piece Rates.

Employees shall not be required to work more than:

a)  the lesser of 48 hours per week and 12 hours overtime, or the limits on regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country of manufacture; or

b)  where the laws of such country do not limit the hours of work, the regular work week in such country plus 12 hours overtime. 

 

Employees shall be entitled to at least one day off in every 7-day period.

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors shall ensure that the piece-rate quotas are adjusted to what can reasonably be accomplished in an 8-hour period.

 

 

K. Overtime Compensation.

 

In addition to their compensation for regular hours of work, employees shall be compensated for overtime hours at such premium rate as is legally required in the country of manufacture or, in those countries where such laws do not exist, at a rate at least equal to their regular hourly compensation rate.

 

L. Women’s Rights.

 

The overwhelming majority of apparel workers are women and because of that it is of particular importance for all parties to assure and safeguard women’s rights. The following specific guidelines must be followed:

 

1. Women workers shall receive equal remuneration, including benefits, equal treatment, equal evaluation of the quality of their work, and equal opportunity to fill all positions as male workers.
2. Pregnancy tests shall not be a condition of employment, nor shall they be demanded of employees.
3. Workers shall not be forced or pressured to use contraception.
4. Suppliers and their subcontractors shall provide appropriate services and accommodations to women workers in connection with pregnancy.
5. Workers who take maternity leave shall not face dismissal, threat of dismissal, loss of seniority, or deduction of wages, and shall be able to return to their former employment at the same rate of pay and benefits.
6. Women workers shall not be exposed to conditions that may endanger their reproductive health.

    

III. Supplier Environmental Compliance

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors must comply with local environmental laws and be committed to the protection of the environment, including their factories and their surroundings.  Special attention must be made to reduce or eliminate harmful pollution affecting the air, water, and soil.  

 

Suppliers and their subcontractors must be diligent and intentional in their efforts to protect any residential area surrounding their factories from environmental hazards.  Garbage and waste disposal shall be done in an environmentally conscientious way, utilizing recycling (where possible) and disposal methods that do not endanger the health and safety of nearby areas and the community at large. 

 

Compliance with the provisions of this EcoPlum Supplier Code of Conduct is a material condition of any purchase agreement or contract entered into between EcoPlum and supplier.  Failure to comply with these provisions shall be grounds for immediate termination of any supplier agreement or contract between EcoPlum and the supplier, at the sole discretion of EcoPlum.  By signing below, supplier acknowledges and agrees to comply with this Supplier Code of Conduct.