GARMENT ACCREDITATIONS

Oeko-Tex is an independent globally standardised certification especially developed for textiles. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the chemicals used in the manufacture of textile products are in no way damaging to health. At Kustom Kit we understand what the modern wearer demands from their clothing. We expect colours to be brighter, we want our shirts to need little or no ironing and we require our sportswear to be fully functional keeping us both warm and dry. We test every component from fabric to thread, every label, lining, button and zip so that our customers never have to compromise on comfort or performance. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 allows Kustom Kit to deliver innovative fabrics and designs with complete confidence that no harmful chemicals have been used in their manufacture. Kustom Kit demands all products achieve this certification.

The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh was created in 2013 to enable a safe and healthy working environment in the garment and textile industry in Bangladesh and to ensure that no worker feared fire, building collapses or any other accidents that can be prevented through practical measures. It is an independent, legally binding agreement which helps ready-made garment factories to become safe and stay safe for millions of workers. Key features of Accord (2018 Transition)

• Legally binding agreement between brand & trade unions

• Brand commitment to ensure safety remediation is completed and financially feasible l Independent safety inspections and remediation program

• Disclosure of inspection reports and corrective action plans

• Safety committee and Safety Training Program

• Safety and Health Complaints Mechanism

• Protection of right to refuse unsafe work

• Ongoing promotion of Right to Freedom of Association (FoA) to advance safety

• Training and Complaints Protocol to cover (FoA) rights

• Optional listing of home textiles and fabric & knit accessory suppliers

Since 1st September 2021, a new agreement has been implemented to continue the legal binding commitments to the safety of the workplace and the promise to develop the program to other countries. The new agreement has been called the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry. The updated agreement advances the important elements of the predecessor agreement.

Key new features in the agreement include:

• A commitment to focus on the health and safety program in Bangladesh, and on building a credible industry wide compliance and accountability mechanism

• A commitment to expand the work of the international Accord based on feasibility studies

• An option to expand the scope of the agreement to address human rights due to diligence

• An optional streamlined arbitration process to enforce the Accord’s terms

The operations of the 2013 Accord agreement was transferred to the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) in 2020. As such, certification is in a transition period, and we have a combination of both Accord and RSC certification. These are considered one and the same.

Amfori BSCI provides visibility over the production and measures social performance to drive improvements across supply chains through their strong code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to set up the following 11 values and principles to Amfori BSCI members to ensure they are striving to implement the principles in their supply chains.

• The rights of Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

• No Discrimination

• Fair Remuneration

• Decent Working Hours

• Occupational Health and Safety

• No Child Labour

• Special Protection for Young Workers

• No Precarious Employment

• No Bonded Labour

• Protection of the Environment

• Ethical Business Behaviour

When it comes to factory audits, nothing beats seeing things first hand. This is why our experienced product team make regular visits to our suppliers to ensure that manufacturing is undertaken in line with our strict ethical and environmental policies. In fact, we will never work with a factory that we haven’t audited in person.

STeP is an additional factory audit which places emphasis on environmental performance and social responsibility. It is only gained by factories who achieve the highest level of sustainable production and safety ethics. The fabric used to manufacture the majority of our shirts is produced in a STeP accredited factory. We are working with our entire manufacturing base to encourage them to take part in the STeP auditing scheme.

Made in Green is a  traceable label that applies exclusively to textiles. It communicates that the garment/fabric has not only been tested for harmful substances as certified by standard 100 but is also sustainably produced in accordance to Oeko-Tex guidelines. Labelled product is available, please contact customer services for details, MOQ’s and lead-times.

The WRAP Certification Program’s objective is to independently monitor and certify compliance with the below standards, to ensure that sewn products are being produced under lawful, humane and ethical conditions. Participating facilities voluntarily commit to ensuring that their manufacturing practices will meet these standards, and further commit to passing along, on their part, the expectation that their contractors and suppliers likewise comply with these standards.

The WRAP Accreditation consists of twelve key principles:

1. Compliance with Laws and Workplace Regulations
2. Prohibition of Forced Labor
3. Prohibition of Child Labor
4. Prohibition of Harassment or Abuse
5. Compensation and Benefits
6. Hours of Work Limitation
7. Prohibition of Discrimination
8. Health and Safety
9. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
10. Environmental Regulations
11. Customs Compliance
12. Facility Security

SMETA is the world’s leading social audit. They use a social audit methodology to provide visibility of working conditions in their supply chain and provides the factory with a Corrective Action Plan (CAPR) to help them improve working conditions. SMETA conducts high quality audits to assess the following standards to ensure responsible business practices and social compliances are being met.

1. Labour Standards

2. Health and Safety

3. The Environment

4. Business Ethics