Supplier Ethical Sourcing Program
Our workplaces in China are regularly audited for ethical and safe work practices and they have been for 25 years. We have a zero-tolerance policy for child and forced labour and manufacturers are held to the very strictest of standards regarding award wages, overtime payments and providing a safe and humane place to work.
As part of our ethical sourcing program all the factories we work with are regularly audited. This assures that our factories can be held accountable for workers wellbeing. In addition to having to meet the standards set by our customers who sell our products, they must also pass audits of the recommended well-established global social compliance programs and be compliant with local law, whichever is stricter. These social responsibility frameworks include SEDEX, WRAP and AMFORI- BSCI. To pass these audits, factories must comply with various stringent standards in the areas of labour rights and working conditions and health and safety and incorporate Conventions from the International Labour Organization. We only work with factories that respect their employees, pay living wages, and provide a safe and fair place to work.
Environmental Standards
All our factories must sign our environmental and zero tolerance of hazardous chemicals policies. Our apparel factories are also audited using the third-party audit methodologies such as WRAP or Amfori BSCI. In each of these frameworks a Performance Area (Amfori BSCI) or Principle (WRAP) is dedicated to the protection of the environment. Our factories making certain products must score either an A or B on the Amfori BSCI audit or obtain a Gold or Platinum score on the overall audit.
Amfori BSCI
BSCI is a developmental audit approach that allows members to assess their factories on socially responsible production practices such as labour rights, working conditions and health and safety. The 11 principles upon which it was found are guided by ILO conventions and UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights. BSCI members can share audit results amongst members.
WRAP
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production is a global standard and factory certification that promotes safe and ethical manufacturing conditions. WRAP certification can be granted by external auditing firms who assess factory performance. By becoming WRAP certified our factories show strong commitment to WRAPs 12 principles of responsible production.
SEDEX
The Supplier Ethical Data Exchange developed a new initiative to share audit results amongst SEDEX members and thereby increase efficiency and transparency. SMETA is the audit methodology that extensively assesses manufacturers on a wide range of criteria ranging from labour rights to sustainability. This assures all suppliers sustain high standards of social and environmental responsibility.
Auditing Process
After onboarding our factories will be audited at random to make sure they are compliant with the standards set in the Underworks customer policies and the standards set in the code of conduct of the social accountability program selected, so the factory can be officially accredited and awarded certification. Factories may be re-audited if a corrective action plan with a timeline is in place.
We know snapshot, tick-box auditing methods have become highly controversial, as they are unable to uncover root issues in global supply chains. While audits are needed, they are simply not enough. By working very closely with our suppliers, we can create a common understanding of needs and requirements to truly mitigate supply chain risk and benefit workers, while strengthening supplier performance. This allows us to overcome issues with more traditional auditing methods. Underworks pride in its social accountability program.
Circularity
At Underworks we are committed to the transition towards a circular economy.
In a circular system, fewer resources are used at the end of a product’s useful life, for example, materials can find a new life through recycling, repurposing, repairing, and composting.
Not long ago, we used to repair socks that had holes in them, knitted our own socks, and turned unrepairable socks into cleaning cloths. Nowadays, apparel is taking up a large amount of space in landfills and incinerators, and this needs to change.
Various Australian local governments have published roadmaps towards the circular economy, and we as a business feel that it is our responsibility to adopt practices through which our products do not end up as waste.
We have partnered with Upparel, who take back textiles and recycle them into new products.
Upparel Partnership
We've partnered with Upparel to support a circular economy, advocate for garment and textile recycling and help to educate our customers on the importance of mindful consumption and disposal. Recycle your old socks with Underworks and get 10% OFF your next order. Together with Upparel, we are working on closing the loop on textile waste and giving your old socks a new life. Only available in Australia. Before purchasing a product, please check whether there are any drop-off points near you.