Acorn's Ethical Policy

We at Acorn pride ourselves on ensuring that we source only from ethical suppliers that can trace the manufacturing process and the source of the cotton. In 2003 we stopped using any suppliers that sourced cotton from Uzbekistan due to the issue of child labour.

Today there are many internationally recognised Standards that the Manufacturer can apply to be registered with, once they have attained the standards required to protect and consider the welfare of the workforce.

The largest manufacturers such as Gildan and Fruit of the Loom now have in place their own code of practice which all their subcontractors must adhere to. The smaller and medium size suppliers more often use Standard institutes that following a successful audit will issue a certificate of registration.

Ethical Acorn have chosen partners to supply the garments that follow the above guide lines and on the web site do highlight the manufacturer and garments that have a registration with one of the international standards institutes.
This is illustrated by the heart symbol.

The most common and recognised symbol is the Fair Trade label. There is however several Standards that are used around the World some such as the Fair wear Foundation that applies purely to the textile industry.

We have listed below some of the best known and given a brief outline of their aims and their standards.

The Environment

One of the big concerns today is Global warming, the carbon footprint and what is commonly known as the green issue.

The cotton plant is a weakling in the world of plants and very susceptible to disease, over the years pesticides and insecticides have been used extensively to a point were the chemicals caused problems for the wearer this borne an early safety standard Oeko-Tex back in 1972. But if the wearer had problems what about the workers making the cloth? Organic cotton is growing rapidly. The cotton pant has been genetically modified to be stronger so chemicals are not needed. Cotton growers must have fields free of pesticides and insecticides for three years before it can be certified as organic cotton.

Environmental The manufacturing and dying process for cotton has always been a pollutant. Today improved production methods, the recycling of the water used in dying the type of dye used and even wind power is being used to help the environment and reduce the carbon foot print. Our clothing that is produced by such companies is marked with a green leaf symbol on our web site.

Again we have listed below some of the most common symbols concerned with the environmental issues.

Both the workers welfare and the environment are huge issues and we cannot cover the issues here, if further information is required we have put a link through from the logo displayed to the group or standard institute to assist you in gathering more information.

Fair Trade

The Fairtrade Foundation is the independent non-profit organization that licenses use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products in the UK in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards. The Foundation was established in 1992.

Our vision is of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential.

Text taken form the Fair Trade Foundation website

About FWF

As a foundation FWF supports and promotes good labour conditions in garment production. FWF was set up by various interested parties and stakeholders from the fashion industry. An overview of the FWF stakeholders can be found under Organisation. Due to these various stakeholders FWF is also referred to as a Multi-Stakeholder Initiative (MSI). FWF distinguishes itself through this MSI approach. FWF is not only a collaboration between all sorts of parties from the fashion industry, but thanks to its MSI status it also gives extra credibility to those companies affiliated to FWF.

European fashion, industrial clothing and promotional garment companies can join FWF and become an FWF member. Members of FWF work towards improving the labour conditions in factories that produce garments, throughout the world. The basis of the collaboration between FWF and a member is the Code of Labour Practices (see also the web page Code of Labour Practices). Eight labour standards form the core of the Code of Labour Practices. Members of the FWF must comply with this Code of Labour Practices.

FWF verifies whether companies comply with the Code of Labour Practices. This makes a member more credible. In addition to this, FWF provides support. In this way FWF also shares its knowledge and (local) contacts with the member companies. Members therefore do not have to 'rediscover the wheel' for themselves and have access to information on local legislation, labour standards and culture. Members can also employ inspection teams that have been trained by FWF. FWF also has a complaints procedure that enables the workers at the factory to bring to light (anonymously) any abuses related to labour conditions. Further information regarding the working method of FWF can be found under Verification.

Apparel Certification Program Principles

The objective of the Apparel Certification Program is to independently monitor and certify compliance with the following standards, ensuring that a given factory produces sewn goods under lawful, humane, and ethical conditions. Note that it is not enough to subscribe to these principles; WRAP monitors the factory for compliance with detailed practices and procedures implied by adherence to these standards.

Compliance with Laws and Workplace Regulations - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will comply with laws and regulations in all locations where they conduct business.

Prohibition of Forced Labor - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will not use involuntary or forced labor -- indentured, bonded or otherwise.

Prohibition of Child Labor - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will not hire any employees under the age of 14, or under the age interfering with compulsory schooling, or under the minimum age established by law, whichever is greater.

Prohibition of Harassment or Abuse - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will provide a work environment free of harassment, abuse or corporal punishment in any form.

Compensation and Benefits - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will pay at least the minimum total compensation required by local law, including all mandated wages, allowances and benefits.

Hours of Work - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will comply with hours worked each day, and days worked each week, shall not exceed the legal limitations of the countries in which sewn product is produced. Manufacturers of sewn product will provide at least one day off in every seven-day period, except as required to meet urgent business needs.

Prohibition of Discrimination - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will employ, pay, promote, and terminate workers on the basis of their ability to do the job, rather than on the basis of personal characteristics or beliefs.

Health and Safety - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will provide a safe and healthy work environment. Where residential housing is provided for workers, apparel manufacturers will provide safe and healthy housing.

Freedom of Association & Collective Bargaining - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will recognize and respect the right of employees to exercise their lawful rights of free association and collective bargaining.

Environment - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will comply with environmental rules, regulations and standards applicable to their operations, and will observe environmentally conscious practices in all locations where they operate.

Customs Compliance - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will comply with applicable customs law and, in particular, will establish and maintain programs to comply with customs laws regarding illegal trans shipment of apparel products.

Security - Manufacturers of Sewn Products will maintain facility security procedures to guard against the introduction of non-manifested cargo into outbound shipments (e.g. drugs, explosives, biohazards, and/or other contraband).

Text taken from the World Responsible Accredited Production web site

The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 was introduced at the beginning of the 1990s as a response to the needs of consumers and the general public for textiles which posed no risk to health. "Poison in textiles" and other negative headlines were widespread at this time and indiscriminately branded all chemicals across the board used in textile manufacturing as negative and dangerous to health.

Text taken from Oeko- Tex web site

The Soil Association is the UK's leading campaigning and certification organisation for organic food and farming. The Soil Association was founded in 1946 by a group of farmers, scientists and nutritionists who observed a direct connection between farming practice and plant, animal, human and environmental health.

Text taken from Soil association web site

The Carbon Trust was set up by Government in 2001 as an independent company. Our mission is to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies.

Text taken from Carbon Trust website.

Let us leave a planet fit to live on for our Children's children.

Clive Horlor

Managing Director
Acorn Printing

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