Chapter 3: Ethics and Social Responsibility

Alongside its amazing products and very large fan base, G-Star Raw has a vast amount of key values from which are derived from their code of ethics and their moral standings. G-Star is committed to producing high quality and ethically manufactured products at a good value to its consumers. The G-Star supplier code of conduct outlines G-Star's Expectations   regarding the conditions under which its products should be manufactured. G-Star's commitment is to only do business with suppliers that share its commitment to fair and safe labor practices and observe environmental conscious practices in the locations where they operate. This code of conduct applies to all suppliers and/or sub-contractors providing products to G-Star Raw or any of its affiliated companies. This particular code of conduct both clarifies and elevates the expectations they have of suppliers they work with and lays down the minimum social and environmental standards they expect each factory to meet. The supplier is responsible to ensure that this Supplier Code of Conduct is implemented and adhered to by its sub- contractors and business partners. 

It is their intention to only work with suppliers that share their values. G-Star does not wish to work with any suppliers that directly or indirectly through its (approved) sub-contractors or business partners, violates the laws of countries where the products are manufactured or knowingly violates these standards. G-Star will take immediate and appropriate action upon notification of such violation. G-Star commonly encourages open communication between workers and management in order for workers to be able to voice their comments and concerns while respecting the right of employees to associate, organize and bargain collectively. Suppliers must provide a safe and hygienic working environment to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with, or occurring in the course of work or as a result of the operation of suppliers’ facilities. Suppliers must provide a safe and hygienic working environment to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with, or occurring in the course of work or as a result of the operation of suppliers’ facilities. Workers shall receive regular and recorded health and safety training, and such training shall be repeated for new or reassigned workers. Factories must only employ workers who meet the applicable minimum legal age requirement or at least 15 years of age, whichever is greater, or as an exception, 14 years in countries covered by article 2.4 of the ILO Convention 138. 

G-Star Environmental Standards 

A. Commitment and Responsibility 

• Each Supplier must have a written declaration stating the importance of care for the environment signed by the director.
• Supplier must have formally assigned the responsibility for environmental performance to a member of the management team and/or board member. 
• Supplier should have a form stating the functions, responsibilities and names with regard to environmental issues. 

B. Energy Usage

• Supplier must record energy usage (including electricity, gas, fuel use, and if applicable steam and compressed air) and monitor trends in energy usage against the output (for example number of products and/or the kgs of material processed).
• Supplier should set targets to reduce energy usage per unit of output.
• Supplier should investigate opportunities to use renewable energy (such as solar, wind turbines, geothermals, hydroelectric energy, or energy from biomass).
• Investigate opportunities to implement of best practice technologies for energy use and reuse. 

C. Use of Raw Materials 

• Supplier should keep records of the mainstream amount of raw materials used (covering approximately 80% of their total purchasing).
• Supplier should monitor the usage of raw materials per unit of output.
• Investigate the possibilities of reducing the amounts of raw materials used.
• Investigate the possibilities of using recycled materials as raw material. 

G-Star is a brand that really focuses heavily upon the decreased consumption of materials that can negatively effect the environment. Also one can tell that they are a unified company because of the fact that they only hire people or partner up with individuals with the same views as them. This can be both a positive and negative as far as the effect it can have on the company and its potential production. Some partners may not have the same views as far as the environment is concerned but may have the financial funding to push G-Star high enough to become a high-end retailer. Then again you can see that although that may be the case G-Star Raw stands strongly by its code of ethics and refuses to associate with those who are not concerned with the environment.