At Design Arc we conduct our business in a socially responsible and ethical manner, supporting communities where we operate. We are committed to protect our environment through adoption of technology, always thinking about reducing waste and incorporating the concepts of recycling and up-cycling into our daily business practice and the products that we offer to our customers.
Rakesh Chadha, Managing Director
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
ENVIRONMENTAL
As a company, our vision is to become one of the most conscious suppliers to major retail brands in the world.
This includes the initial concept at the design and development stage, fabric & trims through to our valued factory partners and their processes.
Through the use of cutting edge technology (3D design and product lifecycle management); we aim to reduce waste in our design and development processes.
We have a robust approach to our supply chain transparency, capturing complete traceability in all our manufacturing processes.
Another area of vigilance for us is to ensure our dye and print houses use the most environmentally friendly chemicals; along with having sustainable policies including water recycling and treatment. We are constantly exploring low impact denim treatment with a commitment to reduce and recycle water and chemicals.
Structured and methodical management approach to our tactical business units is achieved via credible accreditations.
Certifications and standards of our manufacturing partners
GOTS organic cotton & BCI cotton
FSC sustainable viscose through Lenzing Eco – Vero, Lenzing Tencel and Liva Eco by Birla
Repreve recycled polyester
CANOPY
HIGG Index
Global Recycled Standard
Recycled Claim Standard
ZDHC
REDD.PLUS
OEKO-TEX – OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100/STEP, OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT
Organic Content Standard
Bluesign
Our Sustainability Roadmap
By looking at our impact areas, we have set out a sustainability roadmap to achieve our goals and targets that align with our aspirations.
We believe our best path forward is not a singular voice but a collaborative one, working closely with our customers, suppliers and key business partners.
We commit to end the use of ‘conventional’ cotton by end of 2024. The focus is to only use BCI and organic cotton. (BCI/Organic/IC2 cotton for 65% of the product base by Q4 2022, 75% by Q4 2023, 100% by Q4 2024)
Avoiding the use of untraceable viscose by the end of 2023. (FSC/PEFC/Canopy Green Shirt Certified Viscose for 75% by Q4 2022, 100% by Q4 2023)
Switch polyester to recycled polyester at least 30% GRS or RSC certified offer in 50% of the factories by the end of 2023. (Recycled polyester for 35% of the production base by Q4 2022, 50% by Q4 2023)
Encourage the use of vegetable and herbal dyes saving 22 litres of water per kg
Promote the use of digital tools for all business processes with special emphasis on 3D design with the aim to reduce physical samples to 50% by the end of 2023. (Reduce the physical samples to 35% by Q4 2022, 50% by 2023)
Chemical compliance standards for fabrics: 95% of fabrics sourced from Oekotex certified mills by end of Q4 2022, 100% by end of Q4 2023.
Ensure where required factories be registered on HIGG platform undertake FEM and FSLM self-assessment. All factories used by Design Arc to have this status by the end of Q4 2022
SOCIAL
Our manufacturing partners are audited internally and externally by 3rd parties for ethical and health & safety international standards.
Audits and Certifications for our partner factories
We have a zero tolerance policy with all our factories in areas of:
Child labour
Forced labour in any form and modern-day slavery
Discrimination in any form
Harassment and abuse
Unauthorised subcontracting including Tier 2 operations
Failure to provide access to records or workers interview or any mode of denial that will hamper the social compliance audit process
Shared building unless approved by Head of Compliance (any other factory owned by a different owner located in the same building)
Factory building approved for residential purposes
Any unethical practice, such as bribery in the form of cash or kind to facilitate any process
Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR)
As part of our CSR initiative, we chose ‘Giving Back’. The wellbeing of the people in our community is as important as our commitment to the environment.
We established a presence in the local community in 2015; providing free education to over 150 children (5-12 years of age). This is achieved through Soham For All, a program managed by Hope Worldwide Bangladesh.
We have also set up vocational training (industrial sewing, tailoring, computer courses and spoken English) for women in conjunction with Soham For All Bangladesh.
We have distinctively seen the rewards of being involved with our employees and their families; coming together as a community.
GOVERNANCE
To uphold the reputation of our customers, business partners & our organisation by ensuring ethics, integrity and technical expertise are uncompromisingly practised in our business operations.
At Design Arc, we adhere to the 6 C’s framework of Risk Management on how we govern our company.
We have set up the whistle blowing program; Navex Global Hotline for reporting any possible violations of our Code of Conduct.
Navex reporting mechanism enables anyone to report any illegal, unethical or improper conduct either through a multilingual hotline or by reporting directly on the website. Callers remain anonymous as caller ID is not used, however those wishing to provide their name have their identity protected to the extent allowed by law.
This helpline is operated by an independent, third-party provider (Navex Global) ensuring the confidentiality and anonymity of calls.
Anti-Bribery Policy
We have introduced anti-bribery clauses in our Code of Conduct for all employees and suppliers. A complete compliance mechanism has been set-up to avert such risk and senior Industry experts are involved in its management.
Necessary training is given to employees making them aware of the serious consequences of non-compliance with this policy.
We have also introduced relevant clauses in agreement with our vendors to strictly abide by the Code which includes Anti-bribery clause.
Navex Hotline works in conjunction whereby anyone can anonymously report violations including bribery.
