British online clothing and fashion retailer ASOS is teaming up with the non-profit organization GoodWeave International to launch a new supply initiative in order to ensure that ASOS's vendors in India are creating their products through ethical means and not by using child laborers, bonded workers and other exploited individuals.
This supply chain initiative will see ASOS tap into GoodWeave International's strategic experience by registering their Indian suppliers, who will be audited and exposed to surprise visits by GoodWeave staff. It is hoped that as a result of this collaboration, ASOS will soon be able to offer products that are certified by the GoodWeave Standard for ethical supply chains.
Ultimately, this partnership is an excellent example of how companies can partner up with non-profit organizations to ensure that they don't inadvertently support unethical practices and exploitation.
Ethical Supply Chain Initiatives
'ASOS' is Taking Steps to Weed Out Vendors Who Use Child Labor
Trend Themes
1. Ethical Supply Chain Management - The trend of companies partnering with non-profit organizations for ethical supply chain management presents opportunities for companies to improve their reputation and reduce their risk of supporting unethical practices.
2. Auditing and Certification Standards - There is a trend towards auditing and certification standards for ethical supply chains, which presents opportunities for businesses to differentiate themselves in the market and meet growing customer demand for transparency and ethical practices.
3. Partnerships with Non-profit Organizations - The trend of companies partnering with non-profit organizations to inform their efforts for ethical supply chain management presents opportunities for businesses to leverage the expertise and resources of these organizations to optimize their efforts for greater impact.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can benefit from implementing ethical supply chain management practices by reducing their risk of exploitation and improving the social and environmental impact of their products.
2. Retail - The retail industry can benefit from partnering with non-profit organizations for ethical supply chain management by differentiating their brand and increasing customer loyalty through transparent and responsible practices.
3. Manufacturing - Manufacturing companies can benefit from pursuing auditing and certification standards for ethical supply chains by meeting customer demand for sustainable and responsible products and fostering more positive relationships with stakeholders.