Responsible supply relationships
Ethical Sourcing and Human Rights
NewGen Apparel is committed to sourcing garments, textiles, merchandise and related products responsibly. Our policy sets out the labour, human-rights, workplace-safety, environmental and business-integrity requirements that apply to NewGen and that we require relevant manufacturers and suppliers to follow.
Our standards
What we expect from suppliers
Manufacturers and suppliers involved in producing or supplying products for NewGen must comply with applicable laws and the requirements set out in our policy.
- Comply with applicable labour, workplace, environmental and business laws.
- Prohibit forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour.
- Apply responsible recruitment practices. Workers and jobseekers must not be charged, directly or indirectly, any recruitment fees or related costs. Legitimate recruitment-agency or labour-provider fees must be paid by the employer and not passed on to workers. Workers must retain access to their passports and identity documents.
- Provide lawful wages, benefits, working hours, rest breaks and overtime payments.
- Respect freedom of association and collective bargaining.
- Maintain workplaces free from discrimination, harassment, abuse and intimidation.
- Provide safe, hygienic and properly managed working conditions.
- Manage waste, energy, water, chemicals and emissions responsibly.
- Prohibit bribery, corruption, kickbacks and undisclosed conflicts of interest.
- Maintain accurate records and disclose production locations and subcontractors relevant to NewGen orders.
Supplier due diligence
How we assess suppliers
NewGen applies risk-based due diligence to relevant suppliers. The level of review reflects the supplier, manufacturing location, product, production process, available audit or certification evidence, previous performance and any known concerns.
1
Consider context
We consider who will make the product, where it will be made, the production process and any known labour, safety or environmental concerns.
2
Review evidence
Where audits or certifications are available, we review which facility and activities they cover, when they were completed and whether they identified matters requiring follow-up.
3
Visit and engage
Direct factory visits provide practical insight into how products are made, how a facility operates and whether conditions observed are consistent with the information provided to NewGen.
4
Maintain oversight
We maintain direct supplier relationships, consider performance history and follow up agreed corrective actions. Audits and visits are treated as evidence from a point in time, not a guarantee of continuing compliance.
When standards are not met
Corrective action, remediation and escalation
NewGen considers the seriousness of an issue, the risk to affected workers, whether immediate action is required and whether the supplier is willing and able to correct the problem.
Protect
Where information indicates an immediate and serious risk to workers, NewGen may require urgent protective action while the matter is assessed and any necessary remediation is determined.
Correct
Where an issue can be corrected, NewGen may require a written corrective-action plan setting out the action required, who is responsible, the evidence to be supplied and the completion date. Where harm has occurred, remediation may also be required.
Escalate
Serious violations, deliberate concealment, retaliation, refusal to cooperate or failure to complete agreed corrective action may result in additional review, suspension of orders or termination of the supplier relationship.
Shared responsibility
Responsible purchasing
NewGen recognises that purchasing decisions can affect workplace conditions. We aim to provide clear specifications, reasonable production lead times and timely communication about material order changes.
Suppliers must tell NewGen promptly if an order or deadline cannot be met without unsafe work, unlawful or excessive hours, or production at an undisclosed facility.
The policy was first issued in 2014, updated in 2016 and fully rewritten with effect from 1 January 2025. It is approved by David O'Keeffe, Director, and scheduled for review every two years.