ETHICAL SOURCING POLICY
Ethical Sourcing
For nearly two decades Matalan has maintained a robust ethical sourcing policy and a lot of work has been put in to ensure our supply chain is transparent and closely monitored.
We recognise that what is normal business practice in one country may not be acceptable in another, nevertheless Matalan is committed to conduct its business in an honest and ethical manner. We take a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships wherever we operate. We are bound by the laws of the UK, including the Bribery Act 2010, in respect of our conduct both at home and abroad & we take our legal responsibilities very seriously.The Matalan Anti- Corruption & Bribery Policy is mandatory for everyone we work with, including our suppliers and agents who must commit to the principles detailed in it.
For example, we are members of theSupplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex) a not-for-profit, organisation that works to deliver improvements in ethical business practices in global supply chains. We also require our suppliers and their factories to become members & link with us on the SEDEX platform which is a sophisticated tool that provides detailed data analysis tools for internal monitoring.
Our audit standards are based onEthical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code.Our health and safety standards are formally checked on a regular basis by a limited number of approved independent leading auditing companies. This monitoring of worker conditions in garment factories will continue to happen on an annual basis.
Should any issues be identified during these audits, the auditors will create a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and agree completion timescale with the factory which is uploaded to the SEDEX platform. As part of our due diligence program the factory is required to upload evidence that any non-compliance issues have been closed & verified by the audit company for assessment by our Ethical team so that continued compliance is maintained.
Our internal audits are conducted by professionals with a background in manufacturing and factory safety, overseen by our David Mellett our Sustainability and Sourcing Director who is also responsible for human rights and environmental standards across the business.
The wellbeing of factory employees is of utmost importance to Matalan. Therefore in addition to the 3rd party audit requirement all suppliers are required to sign documentation confirming their factories compliance with Matalan Sourcing Policy and commit to meeting our Code of Conduct as a condition of doing business with us.
Matalan believes that long-term and established relationships with suppliers create a better business and better products for consumers. Many of our suppliers have worked with us from the very beginning and we work in partnership with them to constantly look at new ways of improving working conditions.
Matalan signed the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and the more recent 2018 Transition Accord and is committed to working with the Steering Group to help achieve its goals.
We look forward to continued collaboration with the Bangladesh Accord group and other similar organisations as we constantly look for ways of further improving the health and safety of our factories.
BCI
Cotton is the most versatile natural fibre in the textile industry, and as a natural material with multiple properties including being breathable and hypoallergenic, there is high demand for cotton-based products. At Matalan, we take ethical sourcing extremely seriously and have a robust direct ethical sourcing policy in place as part of our continued efforts to ensure close supply chain monitoring and transparency. Matalan is a proud member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world. As part of our commitment to enhance responsible sourcing of cotton, we are working with trusted suppliers and have a sourcing policy that prohibits sourcing cotton from the Xinjiang region in China. Matalan is committed to sourcing 50% of our cotton as Better Cotton by 2022 and is currently on track to surpass this target. Better Cotton is sourced via a system of mass balance, which you can read about here.
Matalan Viscose Policy
At Matalan, we take ethical sourcing extremely seriously and we have a robust direct ethical sourcing policy in place to ensure our supply chain is transparent and closely monitored. We recognise our responsibility to minimise the potential of causing harm to the environment and we strive to sustain and improve the environment through the careful consideration of design, selection of materials and managed operational procedures.
Our Commitment
By 2025, Matalan is committing to only source viscose (and other cellulosic fibres–MMCF) from manufacturers that use high sustainability standards in producing Viscose & other MMCF Fibres. Suppliers & Manufacturers who do not comply to Matalan MMCF & Viscose Sourcing policy will no longer be able to supply Matalan.
Our Approach
Our commitment is to source our regenerated cellulosic fibres only from fibre producers whose raw material sourcing policies governed by Canopystyle Initiative (https://canopyplanet.org/)and has the highest grading in Canopy Style Hot Button report and their forests are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. FSC sustainable forestry standards translate into tangible actions that make positive impact on world’s forests. FSC certification system verifies sustainable sourcing of forest products and ecosystem.
We have robust MMC fibre sourcing policy and work only with Fibre Manufactures who meets the highest sustainable, ethical, and environmental standard during their manufacturing process and when using chemicals
Our MMCF’s Fibre Sourcing Partners
Aditya Birla (https://www.birlacellulose.com/) & Lenzing (https://www.lenzing.com) are our selected Sourcing Partners for MMCF fibres who meeting Matalan MMCF fibre sourcing policy standards
Our Targets& Road Map Towards More Sustainable MMCF sourcing Product Category 1 - 100%-75% Viscose Content – moving to more responsibility produced viscose by end 2023
Product Category 2 - 50%-74% Viscose Content – moving to more responsibility produced viscose by end 2024
Product Category 3 - 0%-49% Viscose Content – moving to more responsibility produced viscose by end 2025
Animal Welfare
All supplier must commit to industry-recognised standards of animal welfare and ensure no part of their supply chain engages in any activity or allow any activity to take place that may cause an animal to be hungry, thirsty, experience discomfort, pain, injury or suffering. In addition animal fur is not permitted on any Matalan fashion products and as part of Matalan's due diligence, and products are tested rigorously to ensure compliance.
Animal Welfare Policy (Five Freedoms) For Suppliers to Matalan
Carrier Bags
Everyone at Matalan takes our responsibilities to the environment seriously. Our every day carrier bags are re-useable. We will also replace any carrier bags free of charge as and when a new bag is needed, customers just need to return them to us and we will in turn recycle them as part of our commitment to minimise our environmental impact.
Our Suppliers
Trading ethically, sourcing responsibly, and ensuring the safety and human rights of workers within our global supply chain are key priorities at Matalan. View The List