Components of Ethical Sourcing

Ethical Sourcing refers to the practice of obtaining raw materials and producing apparel in a way that prioritizes environmental and social responsibility. This includes upholding fair labor practices, selecting environmentally sustainable materials, and minimizing harmful production processes. 

Key Components of Ethical Sourcing: 

Fair Labor Practices: Incorporation of Fair Labor Practices refers to the ethical and legal treatment of workers, including fair wages, safe working conditions, freedom from discrimination and forced labor, and the right to organize 

Environmentally, Sustainable Materials: Refers to raw materials that are chosen for their minimal environmental impact and long-term sustainability, rather than short-term performance or cost savings. 

Minimizing Harmful Production Processes: The minimization of harmful production processes directly addresses the environmental harm associated with supply chain processes. This ranges from investing in zero-waste patternmaking, reducing water usage, minimizing chemical inputs, and designing for circularity. 

Designers can work towards ethical sourcing by: 

Seeking certifications: Partnering with suppliers enables designers to work towards meeting ethical sourcing standards by providing verifiable proof of ethical labor practices, environmental responsibility, and sustainable supply chain practices. 

Common certifications include: 

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): the leading international certification for processing textiles made from organic fibers, guaranteeing ecological and social responsibility throughout the production process. This certification verifies that the manufactured products reach a specific threshold of having a percentage of organic fibers, compliance with environmental practices for energy and water, and that workers are treated fairly. 

• Fairtrade: A certification that ensures that suppliers and manufacturers comply with the Fairtrade International standards for social, economic, and environmental practices. This includes fair working practices for producers and workers, ethical sourcing, and supply chain transparency. 

• ISO 14001: An internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) that helps manufacturers and suppliers identify, manage, and reduce waste, emissions, and resource consumption. 

Low-impact or recycled materials: the use of low-impact or recycled materials decreases the reliance and demand for resources, such as chemical usage, water pollution, and CO₂ emissions, lessening the environmental damage and overuse of resources. 

Recommended Readings: 19 Supply Chain Certifications for You and Your Company