The S.OLIVER GROUP is taking its due diligence obligations in regard to the prohibition of the employment of persons in forced labor for the whole supply chain seriously. The prohibition of forced labor stated in the ILO Conventions No. 29 and No. 105, in the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains and S.OLIVER GROUP’s Code of Conduct is a prerequisite for commencing and continuing a business relationship with a supplier.

Additionally, we at the S.OLIVER GROUP include a detailed policy on the topic of forced labor in our supplier contract (Sustainability Fact Sheets) which is applicable throughout the entire supply chain. Furthermore, our audit team regularly observes the enforcement of the S.OLIVER GROUP’s Code of Conduct by the suppliers.

Further to auditing suppliers and manufacturers, we are increasingly sourcing cotton from more sustainable sources to further minimize the risk of sourcing cotton from forced labor. The S.OLIVER GROUP is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and sources cotton under the Organic Content Standard (OCS) and under “Cotton made in Africa” model from sustainable sources. In 2020, more than 70% of the cotton came from more sustainable sources, meaning less environmental impact and more human rights respected farming. We are increasingly sourcing cotton from more sustainable sources: the goal is reaching100% in 2022.

The current research results concerning forced labor in cotton sourcing areas in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are therefore being taken very seriously by the S.OLIVER GROUP. We can validate that none of our manufacturers are situated in Xinjiang. As we are aware of the possibility for linkages to the region in the deeper supply chain and acknowledge the fact that cotton certification can only be a minimum risk requirement, we are working together with our suppliers to assure that both, any production steps are being made in the region as well as increasing our due diligence measures to further ensure our long-term commitment towards sourcing only cotton from more sustainable and Human right respected sources.

IMAGE: Oliver Helbig