The outdoor company that owns Rab and Lowe Alpine has been awarded a "Good" Fair Wear status.
A member of the Fair Wear Foundation for only a year, Equip Outdoor Technologies Ltd says it is proud to gain the award after a swift Brand Performance Check.
The British company has taken its responsibility to ensure fair and safe working conditions for everyone in their supply chain seriously, despite the huge challenges the Covid-19 pandemic caused to global business.
Matt Gowar, Equip’s CEO, said: “Last year was a tough year for all of us, including the outdoor sector.
"However, we’re proud to have worked closely with our manufacturing partners to minimise the impact that Covid-19 had on their business, and most importantly, their workers.”
What is the Fair Wear Foundation?
Fair Wear is a movement for change that seeks to push the garment industry to a situation where working conditions are fair for the people who make our clothes.
Fair Wear Member Brands are committed to supporting garment workers’ rights to safe, dignified and properly paid employment, and making garment production fair for everyone.
The Fair Wear Brand Performance Check is a tool to assess how a Fair Wear member’s business has improved labour conditions among their supply chain and contributed to more transparent and responsible relations with its manufacturing partners.
Every year, Fair Wear reviews the brand’s efforts by measuring how well they have assessed, identified and resolved issues with their suppliers. Making the results of these checks open to the public ensures transparency and keeps member brands accountable.
Being awarded with “Good” means that Equip is now permitted to use Fair Wear’s on-garment labels, enabling consumers to make an informed choice.
The Fair Wear label signifies a brand’s commitment to implementing the highest standards in human rights and safe, responsible manufacturing.
- Looking for Fair Wear outdoor kit? Check out our buying guides to the best waterproof jackets, best hiking backpacks, and best women's hiking backpacks
Equip's commitment to Fair Wear
Equip has prioritised strong and enduring relationships with manufacturing partners that have enabled a significantly swift and successful Brand Performance Check in less than 12 months.
Some 89% of Equip’s production comes from partners, which the company has been working with for five years or more.
When exploring potential new partners, Equip ensures that manufacturers are visited by either their own CEO or their Asia based Quality Control team to rigorously assess their operating processes.
In 2020, Equip teams visited and made ongoing assessments of 89% of its manufacturing partners despite considerable travel restrictions caused by the global pandemic.
