Primark Ethical Trade Team
Primark has significantly increased the size of its internal Ethical Trade Team over the past three years, to strengthen its capacity in its key sourcing countries so that it is able to provide direct support to suppliers and engage with local stakeholders on the ground.
The global team meets twice a year to share best practice and develop Primark’s policy, strategy and objectives.
Internal training for Primark buyers
The Primark Ethical Trade Team works not only with external suppliers but also with colleagues within our commercial teams (buyers and merchandisers), who play a key role in ensuring that the principles of ethical trading are embedded within the business. All staff in commercial roles at Primark receive training on ethical trade as part of their induction programme when joining the business. The Ethical Trade Team then delivers dedicated training to key staff. For buyers and merchandisers, this is a full day workshop on ethical trading and sustainability.
Partnerships
We believe that collaboration with other stakeholders is key to finding sustainable and effective solutions to the challenges faced by the garment industry.
Primark works closely with other retailers and brands, some of whom may be our competitors; industry bodies and trade organisations; charities, advocacy groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs); suppliers and factories; and of course workers and their communities. Each stakeholder has leverage and influence, and specific experience and perceptions. By working together, we can ensure that complex issues are properly and successfully addressed.
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is an alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations that work together to improve the lives of workers who make or produce consumer goods. Primark has been a member of the ETI since 2008.
ETI status
Primark was pleased to be awarded ‘Leader’ status by the ETI in June 2011 and again in June 2012. This is the highest possible status and reflects continued strong growth in auditing, remediation and training programmes, and extensive external engagement. However, we recognise that we still have further to go, and there is much more that we can do within our own sphere of influence and in collaboration with other retailers, NGOs and stakeholders.
ETI ranking overview
Primark was pleased to be awarded ‘Leader’ status by the ETI in June 2011 and again in June 2012. This is the highest possible status and reflects continued strong growth in auditing, remediation and training programmes, and extensive external engagement. However, we recognise that we still have further to go, and there is much more that we can do within our own sphere of influence and in collaboration with other retailers, NGOs and stakeholders.
2012 – Leader
2011 – Leader
2010 – Achiever
2009 – Achiever
The ETI classifies a Leader as an organisation “tackling the root causes of labour rights problems beyond individual workplaces with collaborative initiatives aimed at the sectoral level and/or in raw materials or components supply. The company can demonstrate positive impacts for workers in its supply chain and reports transparently on progress. The company is advocating for greater respect for workers’ rights throughout its sphere of influence”.
Strengthening our programmes and expertise on the ground in our key sourcing countries has resulted in increased transparency of supply chains; better understanding of the root causes driving factory non-compliance; and increased engagement with local stakeholders including workers, civil society and NGOs, government and trade unions. Feedback and engagement from stakeholders enable Primark to build a programme of activity that is sustainable, effective and supports its commercial growth in these markets.