California Transparency in Supply Chains Act (SB 657)
Updated: March 2024
On January 1, 2012, the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 (SB 657) went into effect, requiring large manufacturers and retailers to disclose their efforts to eliminate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chains. This law aims to provide consumers with the information needed to make informed purchasing decisions.
At Clothing Shop Online (“CSO,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), we are committed to sourcing our products legally, ethically, and responsibly. Respect for people and relationships is the foundation of our business, and we work diligently to uphold these values. Below, we outline our efforts to evaluate and address risks of slavery and human trafficking within our supply chain.
1. Verification
We strive to work with suppliers engaged in responsible business conduct. While forced labor and human trafficking are complex issues that can extend beyond our direct control, dialogue and collaboration are key to identifying risks.
Our Supplier Code of Conduct (“the Code”) outlines our expectations for responsible sourcing, including human rights, health and safety, and business ethics. Key policies in our Code include:
- Ensuring all workers meet the applicable legal minimum age requirements or are at least 15 years old, whichever is greater. If local laws require a higher age, the higher standard applies.
- Prohibiting the use of involuntary labor, including prison labor, debt bondage, slave labor, or forced labor imposed by governments.
We require our suppliers to sign the Code every two years to reaffirm their compliance.
Like other retailers and distributors, our supply chain is complex, and we have limited visibility into indirect suppliers who provide fabric, trim, and raw materials. While we do not use third-party verifiers or track the use of labor brokers, we maintain close relationships with our direct suppliers to enhance transparency.
2. Auditing
As part of our collaborative approach, our suppliers share certification audit results with our team when available. These records are maintained in an internal database.
It is our suppliers' responsibility to:
- Maintain audits and corrective action plans as necessary.
- Keep CSO updated on any compliance concerns.
3. Certification
We expect our suppliers to comply with our Code, which includes policies on:
- ✔ Worker Health, Safety, and Security
- ✔ Forced Labor Prevention
- ✔ Child Labor Prevention
- ✔ Non-Discrimination
- ✔ Humane Treatment
Signing the Code serves as the supplier’s affirmation of compliance.
4. Internal Accountability
All CSO employees and contractors must adhere to our Internal Code of Conduct and employee handbook. If forced labor were to be discovered, the responsible employees or contractors would be immediately terminated.
We also provide an ethics hotline for employees to report non-compliance concerns confidentially.
5. Training
While we do not currently provide formal training on human trafficking and slavery, our purchasing, product, and merchandising teams work closely with our suppliers to foster an educational and collaborative relationship.
At CSO, we remain committed to responsible sourcing and continuous improvement in our supply chain transparency.
For any questions or concerns regarding our policies, please contact us at info@clothingshoponline.com.