We work under a philosphy of forging long-term relationships with our suppliers. This creates clearer expectations for all parties and makes it easier for us to maintain control of the production chain. Around 36% of our suppliers have worked with us for 11 years or more and we have worked together with 75% of our suppliers for 3 years or more.

It is important that those who produce clothing for Pierre Robert have a safe and secure workplace with good working conditions and workers’ rights. We have chosen not to work with suppliers in particularly challenging countries where working conditions are too harsh and we don't have sufficient influence over such matters or are not able to monitor conditions.

Suppliers to the Pierre Robert Group must satisfy strict ethical requirements, as specified in the Pierre Robert Group’s Code of Conduct (CoC). Child labour is, og course, not permitted. Working conditions must comply with international standards, including the protection of workers’ rights and safety, and measures must be taken to protect the environment and animal welfare. The guidelines are based on conventions adopted by the UN and the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as the UN Global Compact’s ten principles for sustainable development.

 

Supplier monitoring

Ensuring that the requirements of the CoC are met, requires close monitoring. To make sure that our guidelines and regulations are upheld, working conditions are routinely checked by external, independent control and certification bodies, as well as our own staff. Pierre Robert Group buyers visit our suppliers on a regular basis.

Since 2009, Pierre Robert Group has been using an internal operating system developed by the Ethical Trading Initiative Norway to assess risk and working conditions in our factories. Through dialogue and cooperation with our suppliers, our goal is to create a good working environment and fair working conditions for factory workers. We also visit subcontractors, so that we can form a more detailed picture of the entire supplier chain. These sub-suppliers range from fabric producers to packaging manufacturers, textile mills and accessory producers.

All new suppliers must meet our Code of Conduct as well as chemical regulations and general terms and conditions for cooperation and quality. Suppliers who are unable to meet these requirements are not selected as partners. The Pierre Robert Group always aims to enter into long-term partnerships with its suppliers. This creates clearer expectations for all parties and makes it easier for us to maintain control of the production chain. Around 30% of our suppliers have worked with us for 11 years or more and we have worked together with 86% of our suppliers for 3 years or more.

 

The Ehtical Trading Initiative, and important partner

Pierre Robert Group has been a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative Norway (IEH) since 2005. Through our IEH membership, we aim to strengthen and support efforts to improve working and environmental conditions throughout our supply chain and to contribute to more sustainable development and production. Membership means that we are committed to submitting annual reports to IEH about our progress in terms of ethical trading. These reports are accessible to the public and can be ordered via the IEH website.