SOURCING & PRODUCTION
New Wave Group is also associated with Fair Labour Association ( FLA ) through our subsidiary CUTTER & BUCK . Our FLAcommitment applies to all suppliers producing for the American market . FLA is an independent organization working with social accountability , comparable to BSCI . 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 individual 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 . Although C-TPAT is not linked to the traditional CSR topics , it demonstrate how multiple stakeholders are monitoring our supply chain .
WORKING FOR PROGRESS Improving working conditions requires more than monitoring . It also means to challenge cultural differences and to find solutions that will lead to long-term sustainability . It is a sincere ambition we have to be genuine in our CSR-work and focus on real improvements .
Sometimes , this will require communication on a higher level than with individual suppliers . Therefore , an important mission for our CSR-team is also to participate in local forums and roundtable discussions . For example , we participate in the Amfori BSCI National Group three times per year . 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 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 .
CONTIONOUS IMPROVEMENTS We strive for continuous 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 .
Everything is not perfect . Sometimes we identify non-compliances to what we expect from our supplies . If we discover findings , we prefer to develop an action plan in order to bring the supplier back to an acceptable standard , rather than to end our cooperation . By such means , New Wave Group can achieve the highest compliance levels while contributing to social development in the countries of production .
That is taking responsibility in our opinion .
A pat on the buck is always encouraging ! For two years in a row , we have been awarded with ” The Environmentalist of the year ”, voted by costumers and actors in the Swedish corporate promo sector .
16 | NEW WAVE GROUP / CSR