The S.OLIVER GROUP Is a Member of the Fair Wear Foundation

With supply chains branching out in all directions, the international company is aware of both the complex challenges of our age and its own responsibility in the bigger picture and is facing up to the task of successively but nonetheless systematically making its business processes sustainable. An essential goal on this journey is ensuring fair working conditions for the people in its supply chain.

As of 1 April 2022, the S.OLIVER GROUP and its brands joined the Fair Wear Foundation and in doing so initiated a strategic partnership with the aim of creating systemic change towards fair textile manufacturing. The Fair Wear Foundation is an international non-profit organization based in Amsterdam that works to improve workers’ rights in the textile industry on a global scale. As a multistakeholder initiative, the organization connects and convenes brands, factories, workers, trade unions, NGOs and other industry influencers, thereby pushing for stronger alignment on various levels of the supply chain. Initial steps as a member of the Fair Wear Foundation will include the establishment of a central grievance mechanism as well as a social dialogue program with selected suppliers.

Through its cooperation with the Fair Wear Foundation, the company is also strengthening its social compliance program as well as its own due diligence approach in order to better satisfy the requirements of supply chain law in Germany and on a European level. As COO in the management team, Oliver Hein is responsible for the areas of supply chain and sustainability. He emphasizes: “Responsible business practices have always been an important component of our actions and values in the S.OLIVER GROUP. We are constantly working on improving, but are also aware that we have a lot of work ahead of us. With the Fair Wear Foundation, we have a strong partner at our side to help us in this endeavor.”

Sabrina Müller, Head of Sustainability at the S.OLIVER GROUP, adds: “Sustainability in the clothing industry is a global challenge with many different layers. There are some areas that we have to tackle in our own processes and decision-making structures, but also many where change will only be possible with the help of strong partners. We look forward to facing this challenge together with the Fair Wear Foundation and systematically making changes happen.”

Mariette van Amstel, Head of Membership at Fair Wear, says: “We’re excited to welcome S.OLIVER GROUP as a new member that is committed to work with us towards improving labour conditions in the garment industry. Bringing together Fair Wear’s 20 years of expertise in the field with the influence of the S.OLIVER GROUP on the shared supply chain of six large brands, this partnership represents a great opportunity to push for long-lasting, systemic change.”

For more information about the partnership, read the interview with Sabrina Müller, Head of Sustainability S.OLIVER GROUP, at Fair Wear: https://www.fairwear.org/stories/s-oliver-group-joins-fair-wear

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE S.OLIVER GROUP

As a family business, the stands up to its responsibility for people and the environment. In the scope of an integrated sustainability program, the company defines clear goals in the areas of people, planet and future (product): the fashion and lifestyle company goes beyond compliance with the minimum required standards and works together with strong partners to achieve fair working conditions in the production facilities. And as far as products go, the S.OLIVER GROUP is successively switching its ranges to sustainable materials – e.g. 100% cotton from more sustainable sources in 2022.

IMAGE: Oliver Helbig