Many hands make light work, but it’s often forgotten just how many hands are involved in the making of a garment. A lot of work throughout different processes is involved and this work can sometimes be though. At YOEK, we are aware of this. We are dedicated to make sure everyone in our chain is treated in a healthy, safe, and fair manner.
Our first step ismaking our supply chain more transparent. Who is working on our garments, and where? This can sometimes be difficult to trace. We have divided our supply chain into Tier 1 (finishing), Tier 2 (dyeing, washing, etc.), and Tier 3 (weaving and spinning yarn) suppliers. We are in direct contact with out Tier 1 suppliers, and we have mapped a number of Tier 2 suppliers as well. The deeper you go into the supply chain, the more challenging it becomes to trace.
What We Do for People
In 2024 our focus is on establishing agreements with all of our Tier 1 suppliers. These agreements will cover the following key areas:
- Sustainable relationships: By building long-term partnerships, we get to know our suppliers well. By maintaining a strong partnership, suppliers are more willing to collaborate with us and grow alongside us.
- Code of Conduct: A set of mutual agreements, from us to them and vice versa.
- Audits: To ensure that the commitments outlined in our Code of Conduct are being met.
SubTitel
Sustainable relationships
Our production partners are incredibly important to us. We’ve been working with most of them for a long time. For many, this journey towards sustainability is still quite new and, at times, daunting. Especially because sustainability is less of a priority in the countries where we produce. It’s up to us to guide them through the decisions we make, explain why they are important, and how we can take these steps together. We believe that the industry as a whole needs to evolve together. Some topics are still uncharted territory for us too.
We also aim to ensure our supply chains are as efficient as possible. This means making clear choices about which suppliers we need for each product category.
Code of Conduct
We are grateful for all the partners who collaborate with us in making the beautiful and high-quality items from YOEK. Therefore, it’s important that we treat everyone in our supply chain ethically and responsibly. Our commitments are outlined in our Code of Conduct. We have started formalising the agreements in this Code of Conduct with all our Tier 1 suppliers. These agreements cover areas such as:
The first version of the Code of Conduct was created in close cooperation with our suppliers, to make sure it’s achievable for them. We aim to revise and expand the Code annually, gradually working towards a better-regulated supply chain. Our suppliers have made adjustments within their production facilities to ensure they can confidently sign the Code of Conduct. From 2025, signing the Code of Conduct will be a requirement for any supplier wishing to produce for YOEK. Read our full Code of Conduct here.
Audits
To ensure that the commitments in the Code of Conduct are being met, we plan to conduct audits with suppliers starting in 2025. This means independent third parties will check whether the agreed standards are being upheld. A number of our suppliers have already undergone a SEDEX audit. Currently, we have valid audit reports from 5 out of 13 suppliers.
