Responsible Supply Chain

G-Star constantly experiments with the endless possibilities of materials, styles and cuts to create products that are unique but recognisable for their consistent G-Star signature look. As G-Star does not own or operate any factories, we work together with skilful suppliers that share our passion to make a strong product. 

Our philosophy and priority is to build a trustworthy and long-term relationship with these suppliers in order to ensure continuity of the quality, look and delivery of our collections. At the moment, about half of G-Star’s production volume is manufactured by suppliers we work with for over 10 years. Given the importance of the business relationship with our suppliers, we feel responsible to positively contribute to the working conditions of the people making our products.



G-Star supplier code of conduct

We developed the G-Star Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that G-Star products are made under fair and safe circumstances. This Code of Conduct outlines the minimum social and environmental standards we expect each factory to meet and gives guidelines hereto. The Code is based on the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ILO Core Conventions, the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code, the SMETA Environmental Criteria and ISO 14000.

To verify whether our suppliers comply with our Code of Conduct, G-Star set up a compliance process using a combination of tools. As part of this process all our direct suppliers are audited on a regular basis by recognised, independent organisations. We also work on improving conditions further back in our supply chain and include indirect suppliers in the compliance process. 

View the G-Star code of conduct here.



Manufacturing map

Our suppliers play an important role in reaching our goal to make a strong product in a sustainable way. We are proud of the products we manufacture together with our suppliers and of the trustworthy and long-term relationships we have built up with them. The Manufacturing Map shows the factories that make G-Star products as well as information about the location, capacity building projects, start date of the partnership and types of products.

Around 95% of our production volume (this differs per season) of all G-Star suppliers are included in the Manufacturing Map. By signing the Transparency Pledge, G-Star committed to publishing information on all direct suppliers, including processing facilities. This information can be found in the G-Star Manufacturing list. Please find our Manufacturing list here.



The compliance process explained

G-Star’s compliance process is built around the G-Star Supplier Code of Conduct. A combination of tools is continuously used by G-Star to verify whether suppliers comply with our standards. When we start a business relationship with a supplier, the following steps are taken:

 

1

We require all potential new suppliers to complete a self-assessment. This way, G-Star obtains detailed information about the factory and the social and environmental conditions on-site and, equally important, the supplier is made aware of our standards. As our Code of Conduct is an accurate interpretation of sustainability guidelines that apply to the industry, G-Star also sees the questionnaire as a valuable training tool to build sustainability awareness among our suppliers. In addition, an internal G-Star team visits the factory for a first on-site Corporate Responsibility check.

 

2

Before we place our first order, every supplier has to sign our G-Star Supplier Declaration, committing to comply fully and unconditionally with the Code of Conduct.

 

3

Subsequently, independent audits take place to inspect whether the factory is compliant with the G-Star standards. Regular audits are conducted using a methodology that includes in-depth interviews with both management and workers, a physical inspection of factories and a review of documentation and records.

 

4

The outcomes of the audit are discussed with the supplier concerned. In instances where suppliers are found to need improvement, G-Star works closely with them to both document and implement an improvement programme in order to reach compliance in an agreed time frame. Through monitoring we are aware of the local situation. However, we do acknowledge that monitoring in itself does not bring us answers to solve possible issues found during inspection. To tackle any issue, we need to dive deeper to identify the root causes behind it. That is why we not only focus on monitoring compliance but also on coaching and building up capacity of suppliers in order to address corporate responsibility issues at the point of origin. This means sharing the knowledge we have gained with suppliers and guiding and encouraging them to move forward, not softening our approach or relaxing our standards. Rather than highlighting non-compliances, we are engaging with suppliers and helping them to integrate good social and environmental performance into their business.
Cooperation in the industry is important to reach supplier ownership. Experience, dialogue and partnerships with training bureaus give us a roadmap on how to approach coaching and capacity building.

Through monitoring we are aware of the local situation. However, we do acknowledge that monitoring in itself does not bring us answers to solve possible issues found during inspection. 

To tackle any issue, we need to dive deeper to identify the root causes behind it. That is why we not only focus on monitoring compliance but also on coaching and building up capacity of suppliers in order to address corporate responsibility issues at the point of origin. This means sharing the knowledge we have gained with suppliers and guiding and encouraging them to move forward, not softening our approach or relaxing our standards. Rather than highlighting non-compliances, we are engaging with suppliers and helping them to integrate good social and environmental performance into their business.

Cooperation in the industry is important to reach supplier ownership. Experience, dialogue and partnerships with training bureaus give us a roadmap on how to approach coaching and capacity building.



Audit methodology

To avoid audit fatigue and a multiplication of different standards for suppliers that work for several brands, we decided not to develop our own auditing guidelines and standards. Instead, we use a public methodology called Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) for all social audits commissioned by G-Star. This methodology is based on the ETI Base Code, which is one of the references for and almost fully aligned to our G-Star Supplier Code of Conduct.

The SMETA methodology is designed by a multi-stakeholder panel composed of brands, NGOs, suppliers and auditing companies in response to the search for a methodology that enables sharing of audit information and collaborating between brands and suppliers.



Restricted substances list

G-Star works actively to prevent the use of chemicals that can have a harmful effect on health or the environment. The basis for monitoring the use of chemicals in G-Star products is the G-Star Restricted Substances List. This list follows international laws and regulations and is updated frequently. Our textile engineers and quality assurance specialists work together with suppliers on proper use of chemicals and compliance with the list.

We monitor compliance of our products and processes with the restrictions in the G-Star Restricted Substances List by performing risk assessments, auditing and testing of our garments. 

View G-Star Restricted Substances List here.



Zero discharge of hazardous chemicals

G-Star does not allow the use of chemicals in our products that have a harmful effect on health or the environment. That is why we live up to strict quality and safety standard and regulations, and carefully monitor the use of chemicals in G-Star products with our Restricted Substances List (RSL). Despite all measures taken this unfortunately does not fully prevent that hazardous chemicals can end up in the water. That is why G-Star is committed to eliminate industrial releases of hazardous chemicals into the environment, and set the target to reach zero discharge of hazardous chemicals (ZDHC) from all our products and production processes by 2020. We have set up an action plan and have agreed on a Detox Solution Commitment with Greenpeace that include all measures necessary to integrate this target into our business activities. By joining the Joint Roadmap together with brands including adidas Group, C&A, Esprit, H&M, Inditex, Jack Wolfskin, Levi Strauss & Co., Li Ning, M&S, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., NIKE, Inc., PUMA SE and PVH Corp., we also made the joint commitment to help lead the industry towards Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC).

As part of a process of continuous improvement and in line with our public Detox Solution Commitment with Greenpeace we have so far reached results that include: 

  1. Elimination of APEOs since the end of August 2013 
  2. Elimination of Phthalates since the end of September 2013 
  3. Implementation of the G-Star MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substance List) in October 2014 
  4. Elimination of all PFCs (short and long chain PFCs) since 1 January 2015



Bluesign

Since March 2013 we have entered into a partnership with bluesign technologies. This partner supports brands in implementing strategies to reduce impact on people and the environment and a responsible use of chemistry to produce their products. The bluesign® system guarantee save products and transparently monitors chemicals and manufacturing processes for a continuous improvement. With other bluesign® system partner we create sustainable supply chains with third party verified inputs to create more sustainable products.

For more information about the bluesign® system, please visit www.bluesign.com



Cleaner production

G-Star is working together with Solidaridad and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on implementing cleaner production measures at factories in Bangladesh.
This Partnership for Cleaner Textile (PACT) programme is focused on doing assessments at factories on water, energy, dye and chemical usage. Based on the assessment factories receive support to produce with less water, energy and chemicals and to invest in new technologies. This way inputs are minimised, and waste and emissions are reduced, while maintaining or increasing production.

Factories are supported to make basic improvements (good housekeeping such as putting switched on water hoses in the laundry, or add isolation to pipes that transport warm water) and in-depth improvements focussed on making processes more efficient and sustainable.


All suppliers that G-Star works with in Bangladesh are either a Bluesign member or participate in the PaCT programme.


Read more about the PaCT programme on www.textilepact.net.



Fair wage

Wage development is primarily a role for the government, however, we believe that we have the ability to contribute to a positive change. That is why our G-Star Supplier Code of Conduct, which has to be followed by all our suppliers, states the following on wages:

 

Suppliers must pay employees at least the minimum wage required by local law or the prevailing local industry wage (whichever is higher) based on the work performed. Wages should always be enough to meet basic needs and to provide some discretionary income.


The first step towards a fair wage is calculating what wage level can cover a worker’s basic needs. Living wage calculations must take into account some common factors including the number of family members to be supported, the basic nutritional needs of a worker and other basic needs including housing, healthcare, education and some basic savings. 

 

G-Star defines this as follows: a fair wage should be earned during a standard working week (maximum of 48 hours per week) and should provide for the basic needs of the family and for some discretionary income.


Since 2014 G-Star works towards implementing a fair wage in our supply chain. We have developed the following roadmap:

  • 2014: Research to get a better insight in the topic and to identify what a fair wage means in our production countries 
  • 2015: Analysis of wage levels in the factories where G-Star produces based on the Fair Wear Wage Ladder
  • 2016: Pilot programme based on the Fair Wage Methodology of Fair Wage Network in cooperation with Solidaridad, a Swedish brand and our most important supplier in China. The target of this pilot is to clarify which steps need to be taken to reach the payment of fair wages to workers and how we can implement this throughout our supply chain. During the pilot the Fair Wage Methodology will be implemented and tested and the Chinese factory receives guidance and training on how to integrate key dimensions into their HR systems. At the same time, the brands’ purchasing practices and their link to wages in the supply chain are analyzed and key staff at G-Star is trained.
  • After 2016: Based on the pilot project, an approach will be developed that can be rolled out on a larger scale among our supplier base.
  • View the Fair Wage pilot evaluation report here.



SAC membership

G-Star is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition since May 2017.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition is the apparel, footwear and textile industry’s foremost alliance for sustainable production. The coalition’s main focus is on building the Higg Index, a standardized supply chain measurement tool for all industry participants to understand the environmental and social and labor impacts of making and selling their products and services. By measuring sustainability performance, the industry can address inefficiencies, resolve damaging practices, and achieve the environmental and social transparency that consumers are starting to demand. By joining forces in a Coalition, we can address the urgent, systemic challenges that are impossible to change alone.

Please find more information about our membership here.



The Social & Labor Convergence Project

In January 2016 G-Star joined the Social & Labor Convergence Project facilitated by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. An initiative led by the world’s leading manufacturers, brands, retailers, industry groups and civil society organizations. The mission of the Project is to develop a common assessment framework. Together with currently over 95 signatories G-Star supports the mission.

 

The Social & Labor Convergence Project seeks to develop a simple, unified and effective industry-wide assessment framework. This framework includes a standard-agnostic tool and verification methodology to collect relevant and essential data, with the ultimate intent to replace current proprietary tools. A common framework for data collection will reduce duplicated efforts, creating opportunities to invest resources previously designated for compliance audits into the improvement of social and labor conditions. Collecting common data allows business partners to measure continuous improvement, and increase the opportunity for transparency. In this way, the social impacts and sustained improvements to working conditions in the apparel and footwear sector is accelerated. Find more information on: http://slconvergence.org



Transparency Pledge

In March 2017 G-Star, together with 16 other leading apparel and footwear companies, signed the Supply Chain Transparency Pledge. The pledge commits companies to publish information that will enable workers and consumers to find out where their products are made.

G-Star is proud of the products we manufacture together with our suppliers. That is why we show everybody where G-Star products are made in the G-Star Manufacturing Map since 2014. Whenever you buy a G-Star product in our online store you can see where that particular product is made. Signing the Transparency Pledge supports the steps we have already taken and publically shows transparency in supply chains is of great importance to us.

Please find the Transparency pledge here.

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