When considering manufacturing partners, Icebreaker employs very strict selection criteria, which we call ‘narrow and deep.’ We choose to work with a small number of key partners and grow a deep relationship with these companies to create symbiosis.
Generally, to become an Icebreaker manufacturing partner, manufacturers and their suppliers must:
Honesty and ethics are crucial to us as is concern for our environment and creating more sustainable business practices. Icebreaker partners must be honest and ethical and, likewise, committed to environmental stewardship and fair labor practices, so that we can deliver a pure and authentic product to consumers.
Icebreaker is guided by the following Ethical Manufacturing Standards wherever it operates, and contract factory partners are symbiotically bound to the same standards. Partners must post these standards in all major workspaces, translated into the language of the employee, and must train employees on their rights and obligations as defined by these standards and applicable local laws.
Icebreaker’s core standards are set forth below:
There shall be no use of forced labour of any kind nor shall materials be purchased that were produced by forced labour. Icebreaker and its partners will immediately terminate business relationships with any sources found to use such labour.
No child shall work in any contract production facility. No one shall be employed at an age younger than 15 (or 14 where the law of the country of manufacture* allows) or younger than the age for completing compulsory education in the country of manufacture where such age is higher than 15.
Every employee shall be treated fairly and with respect and dignity. No employee shall be subject to any physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse.
No employee or job applicant shall be subject to any discrimination in employment, including, without limitation, hiring, promotion, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination, or retirement on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion or social or ethnic origin.
Contract production facilities that strive to assure employees a safe and healthy workplace and that do not expose workers to hazardous conditions. Contract production facilities shall provide a safe and healthy 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 employer facility/factory operations.
Contractors shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining. If a country's law restricts the right to freedom of association, contractors are required to allow employees to raise job-related grievances without penalty or reprisal.
Icebreaker will seek contract production facilities that shares its commitment to the betterment of wage and benefit levels that address the basic needs of workers and their families so far as possible and appropriate in light of national practices and conditions. Contract production facilities shall pay employees, as a floor, at least the minimum wage required by local law or the prevailing industry wage, whichever is higher; and shall provide legally mandated benefits.
Except in extraordinary business circumstances, employees shall (i) not be required to work more than the lesser of (a) 48 hours per week and 12 hours overtime or (b) the limits on regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country of manufacture or, where the laws of such country do not limit the hours of work, the regular work week in such country plus 12 hours overtime and (ii) be entitled to at least one day off in every seven day period.
In addition to their compensation for regular hours of work, employees shall be compensated for overtime hours at such premium rate as is legally required in the country of manufacture or, in those countries where such laws do not exist, at a rate at least equal to their regular hourly compensation rate. Workers shall not work more than 60 hours per week, including overtime, except in extraordinary business circumstances. In countries where the maximum work week is less, that standard shall apply. Workers shall be entitled to at least one day off in every seven day period.
Contract production facilities must comply with all applicable environmental laws regulations and rules of the country in which they operate. Icebreaker expects management of contract production facilities to make progressive improvements in the environmental performance in their own operations and require the same of their partners, suppliers and subcontractors. Contract production facilities shall be part of, or working towards, a global environmental assurance program and incorporating sustainable environmental practices into business practices by minimizing waste and pollution, properly disposing of all waste, and reducing carbon emissions; and designing and developing sustainable products, materials and technologies.
Contract production facilities producing Icebreaker products will publicise and enforce a non-retaliation policy that permits factory workers to speak with Icebreaker staff without fear of retaliation by factory management.
Female workers shall receive equal remuneration, including wages, benefits, allowance and given the same opportunities, inclusive of promotion, available to male employees with the same qualifications. Female workers will not be pressured to use contraceptives. Those taking the legally mandated “Maternity Leave” shall not be unlawfully impacted.
Contract production facilities and service providers must comply with all applicable laws of the country in which they operate, including but not limited to laws, regulations and rules relating to salaries/wages, working hours, conditions of employment, health and safety, the environment and immigration. Employers and employees must be ethical in their business practice and not offer nor accept bribes or gratuities.
It is Icebreaker policy that all contract production facilities establish facility security procedures to guard against the introduction of non-manifested cargo into outbound shipments. This includes without limitation: drugs, biological agents, explosives, weapons, radioactive materials, other contraband or humans.
Icebreaker shall, in addition to complying with all applicable laws of the country of manufacture, comply with and support Icebreaker’s Ethical Manufacturing Standards, and shall apply the higher standard in cases of differences or conflicts. Icebreaker Inc. shall also require the same of its licensees and contractors
*All references to local law throughout the Icebreaker Ethical Manufacturing Standards for contract production facilities shall include regulations implemented in accordance with applicable local law.
