California Supply Chain Transparency/Anti-Slavery/Anti-Human Trafficking Policy
Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labor and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person’s liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or our supply chains.
One of the founding pillars of ocean+main is domestic production. By manufacturing all our products in Los Angeles, walking distance from our studio, we are availed a transparency unique in the apparel industry. We know our production partners personally. We know our sub-contractors personally and visit their facilities daily. This allows us to ensure integrity in our human rights, anti-trafficking, and anti-slavery policies and commitments.
Those commitments include ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains, consistent with the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act (SB657), UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and in accordance with our commitment to UN Sustainability Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption. We expect the same high standards from all of our employees, suppliers and business partners, and as part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labor, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect our Suppliers to hold their own Suppliers to the same high standards.
The purpose of the California Transparency in Supply Chain law is to provide customers with the information they need to make responsible and informed purchasing decisions. The information provided explains how we are working to evaluate and address any risks of slavery and human trafficking in our supply chain.
This policy applies to our suppliers and all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, free-lance workers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners.
- Daily Site Visits Production Facilities:
Along with daily site visits to our production facilities, we require all our suppliers sign our Vendor Code of Conduct which clearly spells out our expectations and ethical code regarding human rights, anti-trafficking and anti-slavery activity. We conduct regular site visits at the suppliers that manufacture ocean+main products to monitor compliance to our Vendor Code of Conduct and related laws and regulations. Any new suppliers are subject to inspection before any purchase orders are placed.
- Fabric and Trim suppliers:
Our responsible sourcing guidelines require us to source from mills and trim suppliers who sign and adhere to our Vendor Code of Conduct regarding human rights, anti-slavery and anti-human trafficking.
- Third Party - Indirect Suppliers of Upcycled fabric and components:
As our sustainable model frequently uses upcycled fabric and trim, we have less visibility to the indirect suppliers that provide some fabric, trim and other components and even less visibility to the origin of some of these raw materials and components. We do, however, recognize that we have a responsibility to identify risks and work to improve working conditions throughout our supply chain.
Modern slavery and human trafficking are serious issues. Based on data from the International Labour Organization, there are currently as many as 21 million affected victims. We understand the importance of the requirements of Section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act.
At ocean+main, we are committed to strengthening our internal processes, working with our suppliers as well as industry groups, governments, and other stakeholders to develop strategies to address modern slavery and human trafficking in the global fashion supply chain.
Responsibility for the policy within ocean+main
Mary Price, Founder/Owner, shall be responsible for overseeing and implementing the Policy and shall sign and publish the company’s annual Modern Slavery statement.
Compliance with the policy
All employees must ensure that you read, understand and comply with this policy.
The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chains is the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this policy.
Employees of ocean+main must notify their manager as referenced in the Whistleblowing Policy as soon as possible if they believe or suspect that a breach of this policy has occurred, or may occur in the future. Suppliers must notify a representative of ocean+main.
Everyone is encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or supply chains of any supplier tier at the earliest possible stage.
If you are unsure about whether a particular act, the treatment of workers more generally, or their working conditions within any tier of our supply chains constitutes any of the various forms of modern slavery, raise it with your manager or through the confidential email at hello@ocean-and-main.com as referenced in the Whistleblowing Policy.
We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no employee suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery of whatever form is or may be taking place in any part of our own business or in any of our supply chains. Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats or other unfavorable treatment connected with raising a concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform your manager immediately.
Communication and awareness of the policy
This Policy is available on the ocean+main website and training will be provided as necessary.
Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of our business relationship with them and reinforced as appropriate thereafter.
Breaches of this Policy
Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct.
We may terminate our relationship with other Suppliers, individuals and organizations working with us or on our behalf if they breach this policy.
Human Rights Policy
Our Employees
ocean+main believes that employees should be treated with respect and dignity and work in an environment that is free from harassment and unlawful discrimination. The Company’s commitment to respect human rights in the workplace is manifested in our Employee and Vendor Code Conduct and policies, standards and practices. These policies state, among other things, that we value and promote workforce diversity and do not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment. We maintain an ethical work environment that reflects the core values of our Company, and we provide a safe and secure workplace.
Our employees have access to the ocean+main founder at hello@ocean-and-main where concerns and questions can be raised and resolved effectively. Employees are strongly encouraged to raise ethics, discrimination, or harassment matters, and to report suspected violations of applicable laws, policies and/or our Employee and Vendor Code of Ethics. Retaliation for raising concerns in good faith is prohibited per our Internal Reporting and Non-Retaliation Policy.
Our Suppliers
ocean+main strives to respect human rights through its supply chain by encouraging actions that are consistent with and further the objectives of our Code of Conduct, and by using suppliers whose corporate values are consistent with ours. We see relationships with our suppliers as an opportunity to share best practices and to promote continual learning and improvement with respect to human rights.
Communities and Stakeholders
ocean+main recognizes and enthusiastically accepts our responsibility to the communities we serve, through acting as a good neighbor and through involvement and support for community activities. We respect the rights of people in communities in which we operate. The Company will seek to identify adverse human rights impacts and take appropriate steps to mitigate them. ocean+main will strive to ensure that our communications with governments, regulatory bodies and public authorities are consistent with our human rights commitments, as stated herein.
Corporate Citizenship
We recognize and enthusiastically accept our responsibility to the communities we serve, through acting as a good neighbor and through involvement and support for community activities. We commit to actively participating in supporting people and the planet and will advocate passionately for both.
Workplace Security and Healthy Workplace
ocean+main is fully committed to the health and safety of our work force and to the protection of our neighbors, the environment, and our assets. ocean+main will exercise reasonable care in providing each employee a workplace free of recognized hazards, including violent acts or threats of violent acts against employees or third parties within Company workplaces. The Company will not tolerate violence or threats of violence and takes reasonable measures to provide a safe workplace. The Company will take reasonable efforts to provide a safe and healthy workplace and comply with applicable safety and health laws and regulations, as well as internal requirements.
Diversity and Inclusion
ocean+main values and advances diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Company is committed to equal opportunity and is intolerant of discrimination and harassment. We work to maintain workplaces that are free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, or any other status protected by applicable law, this also includes any form of sexual harassment. Qualifications, performance, skills and experience are the basis for recruitment, hiring, placement, development, training, compensation and advancement at the Company.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
ocean+main respects and works to actively protect the rights of indigenous peoples.
Labor Relations
ocean+main is dedicated to creating a workplace that respects and values all employees and maintains an environment of open and direct communication. We strive to develop mutually rewarding relationship with employees through fairness, trust and integrity.
Consequences/Penalty for Non-Compliance
Adherence to Polices is mandatory. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. A violation, or suspected violation, of this policy or standard should be reported to your manager.
