Key Ethical Sourcing Policies: Animal Welfare Policy | Design Ethics Policy | Diamond Sourcing Policy | Timber Sourcing
We believe that all factories producing on behalf of SDG should be audited for ethical and environmental compliance. Implementation of the SDG ethical sourcing policy is the responsibility of the Sourcing Director. We seek to conduct an ethical and environmental audit of each factory that we deal with for the production of own brand product every two years. We hold audit report summaries, updates and supporting photographs on a database in the UK.
We have a strict code of conduct based on the ILO Conventions on worker and human rights. This code has been issued to all suppliers to SDG as part of our Terms of Purchase Agreement.
When our audit staff assess factories they use the SDG audit document as well as guidelines on health & safety and local labor law that are reviewed annually. Where we find issues of concern in factories we provide an improvement plan (corrective action plan) and do our best to work with the factory management towards achieving the high standards we require.
We are aware that certain factories can be ethically audited multiple times by different companies and this can be an inefficient way of operating. Therefore, where an ethical, social or compliance audit form is available already and has been conducted by a reputable third party or on behalf of a recognized retailer, brand or agent within 24 months, we may accept the contents of that audit in lieu of the SDG process. In these cases we will review the existing audit improvement plan and assess progress with factory management.
We are committed to continuous improvement in the area of ethical sourcing and require similar standards from factories (and sub-contractors) that produce on behalf of SDG.
IMPORTANT: Information about suppliers factories is confidential. If approached for information by a third party do not discuss company business. All external enquiries including those from newspapers, radio or TV must be referred to any of the below.
Lars Thorsen Michael Spenley
Sourcing Director Director
SDG Compliance Direct