G-STAR RAW
SUPPLIER
CODE OF CONDUCT2022 v.6

Introduction
G-Star RAW is committed to producing high-quality and ethically manufactured products at a good value
to its customers. The G-Star RAW Supplier Code of Conduct (‘Code’) outlines G-Star RAW C.V. (‘GStar’)’s minimum social and environmental standards regarding the conditions under which its products
shall be manufactured. The minimum standards set in this Code are fundamental in G-Star’s sourcing
strategies, how we evaluate baseline factory performance, and determine the suppliers with which GStar will continue to engage and grow our business.

This Code is based on internationally recognized guidelines and standards, set by:- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines forMultinational Enterprises- International Labour Organization (ILO) Core Conventions- United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights- United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights- United Nations Global Compact- United Nations Conventions on the Rights of a Child and the Elimination of all forms ofDiscrimination Against Women- Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code- Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) guidelines- ISO 14000
G-Star strives to only do business with suppliers that share its values and commitment to fair and safelabour practices and that observe environmentally conscious practices in the locations where they
operate. We do not wish to work with any supplier that directly or indirectly through its (G-Star approved)
sub-contractors or business partners, knowingly and negligently violate the applicable laws of thecountry where the products are manufactured, or the standards outlined in this Code. G-Star will takeappropriate actions upon notification of such violations, which may immediately impact the supplier’s
operations and relationship with G-Star. This Code applies to all suppliers, their subcontractors andother business partners involved in the purchasing, manufacturing, and finishing processes of products
commercialized by G-Star and/or any G-Star-affiliated companies. Suppliers are responsible tocommunicate this Code to their subcontractors and business partners and to ensure that G-Star’s
expectations are implemented and adhered to by every facility involved in the supply chain of G-Star
products.
Our general rule is that all our suppliers, their sub-contractors and other business partners must follow
the applicable national laws in all their activities in the countries in which they operate, and comply withthe standards defined by G-Star in this Code. Should there be any differences between the requirements
set out by applicable laws and regulations and by G-Star, the more stringent requirements shall apply.
If G-Star’s expectations conflict with applicable laws and regulations, the supplier must notify G-Star
immediately before signing this Code and at any time thereafter in the event a conflict arises after thesigning of the Code.
G-Star continuously encourages all suppliers to improve their fair and safe labour and environmental
practices. Since no code can be all-inclusive, suppliers must ensure that no abusive, exploitative
conditions, environmentally unfriendly practices, or unsafe working conditions exist at the facilities where
G-Star products are manufactured. Besides monitoring compliance with the Code, G-Star collaborates
and engages in dialogues with suppliers to strengthen their social and environmental standards as set
out below, G-Star commits to supporting their suppliers in understanding and achieving the social andenvironmental standards through supplier training and using the G-Star ‘Social and Labour Guidelines’
and ‘Environmental Guidelines’. These documents provide further explanation, guidance and reference
to best practices for suppliers.
G-Star values equal partnerships and understands its role and responsibilities towards partners andsuppliers. In that vein, G-Star commits to responsible sourcing and purchasing practices through the
Action, Collaboration, Transformation membership (hereinafter “ACT”) commitments. All ACT member
brands, including G-Star, have adopted commitments on purchasing practices and the ACT is amonitoring instrument that can measure the implementation of these purchasing commitments. These
commitments include five essential areas: fair terms of payment, full coverage of wages, increase in
FOB prices, better forecasting and planning, training and responsible exit.
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This Code will be regularly reviewed and modified or updated. Modifications and updates to the Codewill be communicated to the supplier in writing, digitally or otherwise as deemed appropriate by G-Star
RAW. Modifications and updates will take effect as of the date of their communication to the supplierunless a different effective date is communicated by G-Star RAW. The effective date of any modification
or update will be determined by G-Star acting reasonably and taking into account (i) the nature of themodification or update, (ii) the interest of G-Star RAW in remaining up to par with applicable legislationand ethical standards, (iii) any possible necessity of a reasonable timeframe for the implementation of
the modification or update in the supplier’s operations and supply chain and (iv) other legitimate interestsand circumstances.

Human Rights Due Diligence
With this Code, G-Star affirms its commitment to exercising human rights due diligence andenvironmental protection in its supply chain in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for
Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector ("OECD Guidance”). Through a properdue diligence procedure, we aim to identify, prevent, mitigate, account for and remediate adverse humanrights, as well as environmental impacts in our supply chain.
Besides the principles described in the OECD Guidance, G-Stay may elect to undertake additional due
diligence steps or may be required by law to undertake such further steps. We expect our suppliers toprovide any and all cooperation deemed necessary by G-Star in this process.

General standard
1.
1.1
1.2

2.
2.1

2.2

2.3

Transparency
To achieve overall conformity and traceability at all levels of the supply chain, transparency
must be a fundamental component of the business relationship.
G-Star requires suppliers to disclose all production locations and guarantee G-Star products are
exclusively manufactured at the locations indicated. It is also required to map, track and monitor
the supply chain and continuously provide G-Star with information related to owned and/or
subcontracted farms, mills, plants, factories and other sites which are involved in the productionof G-Star products.
Subcontracting Policy
Subcontracting, such as but not limited to CMT (cut-make-trim manufacturing), printing,embroidery, dyeing and finishing and laundry is accepted only with G-Star’s prior written
approval and full knowledge of the locations.
As a general rule, G-Star prohibits subcontracting to homeworkers (people working from theirhomes or other premises of their choosing other than the workplace, for payment, which results
in a product or service specified by the employer), because of limited resources to monitor
homeworkers. G-Star only allows homeworkers in its supply chain if this is pre-approved by the
Sustainability Department.
Although there is no direct contractual relationship with G-Star, we do require the subcontracting
facility to be compliant with this Code. To avoid working with subcontractors that are notcompliant, it is of the utmost importance that subcontractors pass through a subcontractor entry
process and are monitored regularly.

Social standard3.
3.1

Employment is freely chosen
Suppliers are required to recognize and follow the ILO Forced Labour Conventions1 and must
not engage in or be complicit to any form of servitude, forced, bonded, indentured, trafficked
or non-voluntary labour. Mental and physical coercion, slavery, state-imposed forced labourand human trafficking are prohibited throughout our supply chain.

1

ILO Convention 29 Forced Labour Convention, 1930, ILO Convention 105 Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957, ILO Protocol
2014 to the Forced Labour Convention

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3.2

3.3
3.4

3.5

3.6

4.
4.1

4.2

4.3
4.4

4.5
4.6

5.
5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

Employees are granted the freedom from deception and coercion and are not required tolodge any type of deposits or hand over government-issued identification, passports or work
permits as a condition of employment. If local law requires identification, the employee may
provide the supplier with a copy of their passport or other identification.
Employees must be free to leave the workplace at all times and the freedom of movement of
those who live in employer-controlled residences is not restricted.
Employees must receive clear and transparent employee contracts and have the freedom toterminate the contract and change employment provided that workers give reasonable notice tothe employer, within the frame of national legislation.
Suppliers shall act with special diligence when engaging and recruiting migrant workers both
directly and indirectly. This responsibility encompasses adhering to international principles offair responsible recruitment, including the Employer Pays Principle, and requiring the same fromtheir recruitment partners, when engaging and recruiting all workers, either directly or indirectly.
Suppliers must provide workers with understandable information in their own language andensure that they are aware of their rights, responsibilities, and employment conditions, including
working hours, remuneration and terms of payment in their own language, before entering
employment.
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining are respected
Our suppliers shall adhere to ILO Conventions2 relevant to Freedom Association and Collective
Bargaining and honour the right of employees to respect the right of workers to form and jointrade unions – or to refrain from doing so, and bargain collectively, in a free and democratic way,without distinction.
For employees to be able to voice their comments/concerns, suppliers should encourage open
communication between workers and management. Employees should not be subjected to
intimidation or harassment in the exercise of their right to join or to refrain from joining any
organization.
Suppliers must not threaten, penalize, restrict or interfere with employees’ lawful efforts to join
associations.
Worker representatives should not be discriminated against and should be able to carry out theirrepresentative functions in the workplace and a meaningful representation of all workers, without
distinction and irrespective of sex should be assured.
Supplier shall not prevent worker representatives and recruiters from having access to workers
in the workplace or from interacting with them.
Where the right of freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted under law, theemployer facilitates, and does not hinder, the development of parallel means for independentand free association and bargaining.
Working conditions are healthy and safe
Suppliers observe this principle when they follow the ILO Occupational Safety and HealthConvention3 and respect the right to healthy working and living conditions of employees andlocal communities. Vulnerable individuals such as - but not limited to - young workers, new and
expecting mothers and persons with disabilities, shall receive special protection.
Effective measures shall be taken to prevent workers from having accidents, injuries, or
illnesses, arising from, associated with, or occurring during work and/or because of theoperations of suppliers’ facilities. These measures aim to minimize hazards inherent within theworkplace. Workers may not be exposed to physical, chemical or biological hazards above
occupational exposure limits and must be provided with the right to exit the premises and/or
stop working without seeking permission in dangerous situations and uncontrolled hazards.
Suppliers must provide a safe and hygienic working environment (and when applicable living
environment) to their employees and ensure minimum conditions of light, ventilation, hygiene,
the absence of nuisance violations, fire prevention and safety measures. In addition, access toclean toilet facilities and potable water, and, if appropriate, sanitary facilities for cooking andfood storage shall be provided.
If utilizing ground (well) or surface water as a source for drinking water, suppliers are required
to have a water sampling program in place, with samples tested at least quarterly for all

2

ILO Convention 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948, ILO Convention 98 Right toOrganize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
3
ILO Convention 155 - Occupational Safety and Health Convention

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5.5

5.6

5.7
5.8
5.9

5.10

6.
6.1
6.2

6.3

6.4

6.5

7.
7.1

7.2

7.3
7.4

parameters required by local law or in absence of local law, international standards of water
quality.
Suppliers will seek to improve workers’ protection in case of an accident, including through a
compulsory insurance scheme and ensure equal access to adequate occupational medical
assistance and related facilities. Services (including insurance) should serve the distinctive
concerns and needs of all sexes.
Effective and tailored Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be provided to all workers freeof charge, taking the needs of different workers, such as pregnant and nursing women, into
consideration,
Take all appropriate measures to ensure the stability and safety of the equipment and buildings
they use, as well as to protect against any foreseeable emergency.
Suppliers will also ensure that these same standards meeting the basic need of workers areapplied to any provided residential facilities or canteen facilities.
All employees shall receive regular health and safety training, at least on an annual basis, andthe supplier must keep records of provided training. Such training shall be repeated for new orreassigned workers.
Suppliers shall assign responsibility for health and safety to a senior management
representative and ensure active cooperation between management and workers for thedevelopment and effective implementation of systems that ensure a safe and healthy work
environment. It is also expected to maintain records of all health and safety incidents in theworkplace and all other facilities that are provided or mandated.
Child labour is not used
Suppliers must not engage in or support the use of child labour as defined in ILO Convention 4
C138 and/or C182 and protect children from any form of exploitation.
Factories must only employ workers who meet the applicable minimum legal age requirement
or of at least 15 years of age, whichever is greater unless the exceptions recognized by the ILO
apply. In any event, this specified age shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory
schooling.
All official documentation stating each worker’s age must be available for review. In thosecountries where official documents are not available to confirm the exact date of birth, factories
must establish robust age-verification mechanisms as part of the recruitment process, which
may not be in any way degrading or disrespectful to the worker.
Workers under the age of 18 shall not be employed at night or in hazardous conditions which
are prejudicial to their health, safety, morals, and development. Suppliers must ensure theirworking hours do not harm their attendance at school, their participation in vocational orientation
approved by the competent authority or their capacity to benefit from training or instruction
programmes.
Suppliers shall take special care to proactively identify, develop, participate and contribute tomeasures, policies and programmes that ensure the protection of impacted children. If a childis found to be performing child labour, suppliers shall provide the transition to enable him/her toattend and remain in quality education until they are no longer a child.
Wages and benefits are provided to all workers
Suppliers must adhere to relevant ILO conventions5 and pay employees at least the minimum
wage required by local law or the prevailing local industry wage (whichever is higher) based on
the work performed. Wages should always be enough to meet basic needs and to provide somediscretionary income and must refer to standard working hours.
Suppliers must provide to employees all legally mandated benefits inclusive of annual leave,maternity leave and holidays as stipulated by law as well as social benefits that are legally
granted, without negative impact on their pay, level of seniority, position, or promotion prospects.
Level of wages must be equal and reflect the skills, responsibility, seniority, and education ofworkers.
All employees must be paid regularly and on time, in a stable manner and fully in a legal tender.
In addition to their compensation for regular hours of work, employees must be compensatedfor overtime at a premium rate. Partial payment in the form of allowance “in kind” is accepted inline with ILO specifications.

4

ILO Convention C138 - Minimum Age Convention, 1973, ILO Convention C182 - Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999.
ILO Convention C95 - Protection of Wages Convention, 1949, ILO Convention 100 Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951, ILO
Convention C131 - Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970
5

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7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

8.
8.1

8.2
8.3

8.4

9.
9.1

9.2

9.3

9.4

10.
10.1

10.2

Where a pay rate for production, quota or piece work, is established, suppliers must allow
employees to earn at least a wage which respectively meets or exceeds applicable legal
minimum wages, industry standards, or collective bargaining agreements (where applicable)
within standard working hours.
Suppliers must assess the pay gap accurately, and work progressively towards the payment ofa living wage which is sufficient to cover a decent standard of living for the workers and theirfamilies,
All workers shall be provided with understandable information about their employment
conditions in writing, including wages and benefits before they enter employment and about theparticulars of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are paid.
Deductions of wages are only accepted under the conditions and to the extent allowed by law
or fixed by a collective agreement. Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure shall not
be permitted nor shall any deductions from wages not provided for by national law be permitted
without the expressed permission of the worker concerned. All disciplinary measures should berecorded.
Working hours are not excessive
Suppliers must adhere to relevant ILO Conventions 6 and ensure that regular working hours or
overtime do not exceed the legal maximum according to local law or industry standards,
whichever affords greater protection. In any event, workers shall not, on a regular basis, be
required to work more than 48 hours per week.
Employees must be granted the right to resting breaks in every working day and at least one
day off for every 7 days on average, unless exceptions defined by collective agreements apply.
Overtime shall be exceptional, voluntary and based on mutual agreement with workers and paid
at a premium rate of a minimum of 125% of the standard rate. In any event, overtime shall not
exceed 12 hours per week and shall not be demanded on a regular basis. Overtime shall not
represent a significantly higher likelihood of occupational hazards, and in no circumstance go
beyond the limits defined under national legislation.
Suppliers must record all employees’ working hours completely and accurately and time records
for all workers must be available for review.
No discrimination is practised
Suppliers must adhere to relevant ILO Conventions 7 and should treat all workers with respectand dignity and only employ workers based on their ability to do the job, not based on theirpersonal characteristics or beliefs.
No person must be subject to any discrimination or exclusion in employment, including hiring,salary, benefits, access to training, advancement, discipline, termination or retirement, basedon sex, gender, race, religion, age, disability, disease, sexual orientation, nationality, politicalaffiliation or opinion, social, ethnic and national origin, maternity or marital status, membershipin unions or any other legitimated organisations, family responsibilities or any other condition
that could give rise to discrimination.
Suppliers are expected to provide gender-sensitive and equal opportunities and treatment
throughout recruitment and employment. All workers shall receive equal remuneration,
irrespective of sex, for work of equal value, equal evaluation of the quality of their work andequal opportunities to fill all positions open.
Suppliers shall provide appropriate services and accommodation to female workers inconnection with pregnancy, childbirth and nursing.
Regular employment is provided
To every extent possible, work performed must be based on recognized employment
relationship established through national law, custom or practice, and international labour
standards, whichever provides greater protection,
Obligations to employees under applicable labour or social security laws and regulations arisingfrom the regular employment relationship shall not be avoided through the use of labour-only
contracting, sub-contracting, or home-working arrangements, or through apprenticeshipschemes where there is no real intent to impart skills or provide regular employment, seasonality

6

ILO Convention 1 Hours of Work [Industry] Convention, 1919, ILO Convention 14 Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921
ILO Convention 100 Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951, ILO Convention 111 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation)
Convention, 1958, ILO Convention 183 Maternity Protection Convention, 2000,
7

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10.3

11.
11.1
11.2

11.3

12.
12.1

12.2
12.3

12.3

12.4

or contingency work when used to undermine workers’ protection, nor shall any such obligations
be avoided through the excessive use of fixed-term contracts of employment.
Suppliers should aim at providing decent, and where relevant, flexible working conditions that
also support workers, irrespective of sex, in their roles as parents or caregivers, including
migrant and seasonal workers whose children may be left in their hometowns.
No harassment or abuse is allowed
Suppliers must adhere to the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention 8. Employees must betreated with respect and dignity at all times.
Supplier must not engage in or permit physical or abusive acts to punish or coerce workers.
Suppliers must ensure that workers are not subject to any form of violence, harassment, andinhumane or degrading treatment in the workplace, as well as threats of violence and abuse,including corporal punishment, verbal, physical, sexual, economic or psychological abuse,mental or physical coercion, or other forms of harassment or intimidation
Suppliers are expected to verify that workers are not harassed, disciplined, or retaliated forreporting issues on any of the grounds listed above.
Bribery and corruption
G-Star has a strict zero-tolerance policy against any form of bribery, corruption extortion or
embezzlement, including but not limited to, the promising, offering, giving or accepting of any
improper monetary or other incentives directly or indirectly, material or immaterial to any person,
foreign/domestic public or political official, political party, party official, an employee of a stateowned enterprise, a candidate for public or political office or any other third party to induce suchofficials or third party to use their influence with a government or other entity. This means that
permitting, tolerating, or engaging, directly or indirectly, in bribery, corruption, fraud, or other
unethical business practices is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
Suppliers must not falsify or participate in falsifying any information or in any act of
misrepresentation in the supply chain.
Suppliers shall develop and adopt adequate internal controls, programmes, training or
measures for preventing and detecting corruption, extortion, embezzlement or any form ofbribery, developed based on a company-specific risk assessment.
Suppliers are expected to collect, use, and otherwise process personal information (includingthat from workers, business partners, and customers in their sphere of influence) withreasonable care. The collection, use and other processing of personal information must comply
with privacy and information security laws and regulatory requirements.
This article extends to affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and any otherrepresentative acting on behalf of the supplier. The anti-bribery and corruption policy applies inall dealings with any domestic or foreign business partners, private subjects, public officials or
G-Star representatives.

Environmental standard
13.
13.1

13.2

13.3

8

Legal compliance, permits and licenses
As a strict minimum, suppliers, their subcontractors and business partners must comply with allapplicable environmental laws, rules, regulations and standards applicable to the workplace, theproducts produced the methods of manufacture and the communities where they operate. In
cases national environmental legislation is weak or poorly enforced, suppliers are expected tocomply with international standards
Suppliers must obtain and maintain all relevant environmental permits, approvals, licenses andregistrations for their operations, including but not limited to soil, water, air quality and waste
management.
Suppliers shall identify and assess the significant environmental impact of operations andestablish effective policies and procedures that reflect their environmental responsibility.
Suppliers must seek to implement adequate measures to prevent mitigate and remediate
adverse impacts on the surrounding communities, natural resources, and the overall
environment.

ILO Convention 190 Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019

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14.
14.1

14.2
14.3

15.
15.1

15.2

15.3

15.4
15.5

15.6
15.7
15.8

16.
16.1

16.2

16.3

17.
17.1

17.2

17.3
17.4

Soil, water and air contamination
Suppliers must not cause or knowingly permit contamination of soil and groundwater. Facilities
must meet all legal requirements and holds all relevant, up-to-date permits governing
contaminated land, soil and groundwater pollution prevention.
Suppliers must identify and monitor potential pollutants that might cause contamination of soil,
groundwater and/or air.
Suppliers shall investigate risks associated with and opportunities to reduce soil, water and air
contamination.
Chemicals management
Suppliers must comply with G-Star’s Restricted Substances List (RSL) and Zero Discharge ofHazard Chemicals’ (ZDHC) latest Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) and adopt
a chemical procurement policy with goals for ZDHC MRSL conformant procurement.
Chemicals and hazardous substances shall be properly labelled and stored in dedicated, secureand ventilated areas and disposed of in a safe and legal manner, in accordance with applicablelaws.
Suppliers are required to carry out, monthly, ZDHC’s Performance InCheck Reports inaccordance with the latest ZDHC Performance InCheck Guidelines, including the scope ofchemicals defined in the document. Suppliers are requested to follow the (corrective) actions
based on the Performance InCheck Report.
Suppliers must have appropriate and operable protective safety equipment and hazard signage
in all areas where chemicals are stored and used.
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) must be available to employees for all chemicals used in
the workshop areas, in the local language and the language spoken by workers, if different fromthe local language.
Suppliers shall have a chemical spill and emergency response plan that is tested and reviewed
periodically.
Training must be provided to all employees who use chemicals on chemical hazards, risk,
proper handling, and what to do in case of emergency or spill.
Suppliers are expected to follow ZDHC’s Supplier to Zero Programme to identify areas of
improvement in sustainable chemical management and reduce risks.
Wastewater discharge
All outgoing wastewater must be treated before it is discharged to water bodies in compliancewith applicable local laws and regulations. All outgoing water from wet processes must comply
with local laws and regulations and/or the latest ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines, whichever isstricter. This also applies to wastewater being treated off-site.
Wastewater testing for wet processing facilities must be conducted in accordance with the latest
ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines at least twice a year, at the latest by April 30 and October 31.
Sampling, testing, and reporting can occur anytime during each reporting cycle, as long as there
are at least three months between sample dates for the two reporting deadlines.
Suppliers must have a written remediation plan if there is an emergency situation related towastewater.
Waste management
Suppliers must ensure proper segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal ofwaste, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations including disposal of hazardous
waste.
Suppliers shall maintain records of applicable, up-to-date permits and other documentation
governing solid waste and hazardous waste including storage, handling, onsite disposal, offsite
disposal, transportation, and waste contractors. Documents should be available for review uponrequest.
Suppliers must ensure that waste contractors have adequate permits, licenses andqualifications, in particular for hazardous waste.
Suppliers are expected to implement a recycling program which manages industrial and nonindustrial waste including paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastics, fabric scraps, wastewatersludge, scrap metal, and any other recyclable material.

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17.5

Business partners shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations and procedures governingasbestos and PCBs in their facilities and comply with all applicable laws, regulations andprocedures governing the storage and handling of asbestos and PCBs.

18.
18.1

Raw materials
Suppliers must comply with the G-Star RAW Responsible Materials & Animal Welfare Policy
which contains restrictions and requirements concerning the use of raw materials in our
products.
For certified products, suppliers must provide valid certification according to the accepted
standards as listed in the G-Star RAW Materials Animal Welfare Policy.

18.2

19.
19.1

19.2
19.3

20.
20.1

20.2

21.
21.1

21.2
21.3

22.
22.1

22.2
22.3

Energy use
Suppliers are expected to work towards the reduction of the consumption of electricity, gas, oiland other fuels through improved employee awareness, investment in energy-saving equipment
and improvement of production and energy efficiency.
Suppliers are expected to phase out non-renewable energy step-by-step, including coal as themain goal by 2030 latest.
Suppliers must have an overview of energy sources and record energy consumption by source(including for electricity, gas, mobile/stationary fuel use, and, if applicable, steam andcompressed air) and monitor trends in energy usage in intensity terms against production
metrics (e.g., weight and/or quantity of garments produced/material processed).
Water use
Suppliers must have an overview of sources from which water is withdrawn and used (e.g.
purified drinking water, municipal mains, wells, surface water, collected rainwater, recycled grey
water).
Suppliers must keep records of water consumption per source and monitor trends in water
usage in intensity against production metrics (e.g. weight and/or quantity of garments produced/
materials processed).

Emissions to air
Facilities shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations and procedures governing air
emissions including possessing necessary permits for air emissions and/or reporting its air
emissions to the relevant authorities as required by applicable law.
Suppliers must keep records of the volumes and types of air emissions
Suppliers should have an action plan to control and facilitate the reduction and elimination of air
emissionsLand Use and Biodiversity
Suppliers must meet all legal requirements and holds all relevant, up-to-date permits governing
land use and biodiversity with the purpose to limit overexploitation of freshwater resources,
contamination of waterways through chemical runoff, non-biodegradable liquid waste, soil
pollution, loss of habitat through direct land take and poison of land and marine life.
Suppliers shall not have a negative impact on designated protection areas or species nor
accelerate the loss of habitat and/or endangered species.
Suppliers shall follow the international conventions on curbing trade in endangered plant andanimal species, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora) and not trade endangered plants and animal species or materials andaccessories related to endangered plants and species.

Monitoring and implementation
23.
Code and system implementation
23.1
Suppliers are required to implement and maintain the necessary systems to ensure compliancewith this Code’s social and environmental minimum standards. Suppliers should appoint one
contact person of the management per factory who shall be responsible for implementing thisCode and communicating this Code and its implications to all the employees. Suppliers should
extend the Code principles through their supply chain. This implementation system is anecessary and integral part of this Code.

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23.2

23.3

23.4

24.
24.1

24.2

24.2

24.3

25.
25.1

The implementation system at the supplier and subcontractor level should include thecommitment to this Code, a management system, an internal monitoring system, worker training
and education and a worker-complaints mechanism.
Suppliers must maintain all documentation on file to demonstrate compliance with this Codeand applicable social and environmental laws. Suppliers shall agree to make these documents
available for G-Star or designated auditors and submit them to audits with or without prior notice.
Suppliers must not assign any work to parties other than those contracted by G-Star unless priorwritten approval is given by G-Star and a written commitment to this Code has been receivedby G-Star from the third party.
Monitoring and compliance
As a condition of doing business with G-Star, each factory involved in manufacturing of G-Star
products must comply with this Code. To verify this, suppliers must permit audits at any time of
all the factories involved in the manufacturing of G-Star products by G-Star employees and/or
accredited auditors. As part of the monitoring process, accredited auditors must be allowed to
conduct interviews with workers on a confidential basis and to inspect the supplier’s premises.
Any type of audit deception is prohibited including but not limited to falsifying of documentation,
hiding workers or training workers on what to say in interviews.
Monitoring of social and environmental performance will also be carried out via the use of Higg’s
Facility Social & Labour Module (FSLM) and Facility Environmental Module (FEM) respectively.
All suppliers and sub-contractors must complete both modules’ self-assessment and resultsmust be verified by an accredited third party on an annual basis,
Should we find that a supplier does not comply with this Code, we may ask the supplier to takecorrective actions in a stipulated timeframe. In that case, G-Star will follow up on theimplementation of the corrective actions and verify that violations are remedied in the agreed
timeframe. In case of unwillingness to cooperate and/or repeated violations of this Code and/or
applicable laws and regulations, G-Star may, in its sole discretion, consider terminating thebusiness relationship with the supplier.
A copy of this Code, translated into all the native languages of the employees by the supplier,must be notified and displayed in a prominent place accessible to all employees, within eachfacility where G-Star products are being manufactured.
Grounds for Termination
Terminating a business relationship caused by lack of action to implement the Code isconsidered a last resort but may be necessary if a supplier, including its supply chain, repeatedly
fails to act in a manner consistent with the values and principles set out in this Code or when
the supplier, or any member of its supply chain, is unwilling to undertake the measures needed
to fulfil any of the obligations set out in, or inherent to, the Code.

If you have any questions or comments on this Code or you would like to report a violation of this Code,please do not hesitate to contact:
G-Star RAW C.V.
Attn.: Sustainability (CR) Department
Joan Muyskenweg 391114 AN Amsterdam
Postbus12177
1100 AD, Amsterdam
The Netherlands
E-mail: cr@g-star.com

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Declaration
We, the undersigned hereby confirm-

That we have read and understood the standards set in this Code and that we currently
comply and will comply in the future with all requirements.

-

That we are aware that ethical production of G-Star branded products is fundamental to GStar, that the fashion industry is highly dynamic, that legal and ethical standards are evolving
and that therefore, the goals and requirements outlined in this Code are subject to change by
G-Star RAW and that the goals and requirements, as well as their changes, maybe ambitious
but are essential for the collaboration between G-Star and its suppliers.

-

That we are aware of all relevant laws and regulations of the country or countries in which ourcompany operates.

-

That we will inform all of our subcontractors if any, and participants of our supply chain,including such participants nominated by G-Star, of the contents and requirements of thisCode, and that we will ensure that they also comply with the provisions incorporated herein.

-

That G-Star RAW and any organisations acting on its behalf may carry out audits with orwithout notice at our business premises and the business premises of our subcontractors andparticipants of our supply chain at any time.

Company name ………………………...……..

Company Stamp/Seal

Address…………………………………….……
Name signatory…………………………………
Role signatory…………………………………..
Date……………………………………………...

Signature…………………………………………..

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References:
The Code is aligned with and references the following standards:- United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights(http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html)- International Labour Organisation Core Conventions and their relevant Recommendations(http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex_browse.home?p_lang=en)- Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code (http://www.ethicaltrade.org)- OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear
Sector: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/responsible-supply-chains-textile-garment-sector.htm- ISO14000:
https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/archive/pdf/en/theiso14000family_2009.pdf- United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights:
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en.pdf- United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child:https://www.unicef.nl/files/English%20child%20friendly%20convention.pdf- United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women
https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm

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