“ I would like to highlight the daily work of our CSR-staff , performed with constant determination and willpower . That leads to the success of our company . ”
Rebecka Svensson , Corporate Legal Counsel – Social and Environmental Responsibility
As of this date , New Wave Group already fulfills its commitment for 2015 . However , the figures are not fixed and since the commitment is based on buying volume , there will be continuous fluctuations . Still , we are proud of the progress made in short time .
FLA AND C-TPAT New Wave Group is also associated with Fair Labour Association ( FLA ) through our subsidiary Cutter & Buck . Our FLA-commitment applies to all suppliers producing for the American market . FLA is an independent organization that works with social responsibility , comparable to BSCI but with headquarters in the U . S .
Each year , FLA will handpick suppliers from our supply chain to be audited for social compliance . The audit reports will be published on the FLA website for you to take active part in the progress and findings of various factories .
American suppliers are also obliged to participate in our work for safe transportation and anti-terrorism . The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism ( C-TPAT ) is a voluntary initiative of U . S . Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) to build relationships that strengthen international supply chains and improve U . S . border security .
CBP organizes regular visits to our suppliers for on-site inspections . Our latest CBP-control took place in July 2013 . A supplier in Vietnam passed the full day inspection and could demonstrate effective security within its organization , as well as a dedication to work with business partners to address supply chain security issues .
WORKING FOR PROGRESS To summarize , New Wave Group-methodology involves the participation of several independent actors , together with our internal work with social compliance . We believe the combination of internal and external inspections will provide the best quality assurance for our suppliers , our customers and for us .
However , improving working conditions requires more than monitoring . It also means to assist suppliers with the implementation of corrective action plans , to challenge cultural differences and to find solutions that will lead to long-term sustainability . It is a sincere ambition we have to take responsibility the whole way .
Some challenges require communication on higher level than with individual suppliers . An important mission for our CSR-staff is to participate in local forums and roundtable discussions to address cultural and regional differences . For example , we participate in BSCI National Group meetings with other responsible brands . Another important forum is Buyers Forum in Bangladesh , which is organized by World Bank Group IFC- SEDF . The forum consists of well-known fashion brands and together we could put pressure on both suppliers and politicians . For example , the forum wrote a letter to the government in Bangladesh regarding the question of minimum wage .
OUR GOAL We strive for constant improvements and step-by-step actions . Everything can be improved – always ! Through regular visits and communication , we attempt to discover findings in time or to suggest actions that could lead to business improvements .
8 NEW WAVE GROUP / CSR