Social Commitment

Fair, humane and safe working conditions are things we consider to be of paramount importance for both our own employees and across our entire supply chain. As part of our social responsibility efforts, we are proud to be an active and leading member of the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF), and have established high standards for all suppliers via our binding Code of Conduct. We perform regular on-site audits to verify compliance and to ensure a commitment to our goals from all suppliers.

The Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is an independent, non-profit organization, which is committed to the improvement of working conditions in in the textile and clothing industry. The FWF develops useful solutions for manufacturing sites worldwide - in a joint effort with various stakeholders, such as FWF members, further non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), employers’ and employees’ unions in Asia and Europe, as well as government representatives. We have been a member of the foundation since 2010. As such, we have committed to actively optimize working conditions in our supply chain via strict guidelines and standards. We have worked hard to establish stable and long-term relationships with our suppliers, which allows us to work in close partnership to make any necessary improvements. The FWF and its network assist us, as well as our manufacturing partners, by means of consulting, knowledge exchange and training programs. Through our FWF membership, all our activities are externally certified.

Every year, while conducting a “Brand Performance Check”, the FWF monitors business practices of its member companies, as well as working conditions on-site in partner factories. The results of this review are publically published, with full transparency by the FWF as well as Jack Wolfskin on their respective websites.

From our very first FWF audit in 2015, our efforts each year have earned us leader status, which is the best possible rating that the FWF awards. This high status is thanks to closely monitoring 100 % of our production chain, effectively improving on-site working conditions in a joint effort with our partners, and exceeding many of the general requirements.

We do not operate company-owned factories. Our products are manufactured by our partners, predominantly based in Asia and some in Europe. As a result, we feel it all the more important to assume responsibility for ensuring that all those who work for us do so according to established and fair legal labor standerds and practices. That’s why, in 2007, we established our code of conduct, which encompasses eight guidelines.

Our Code of Conduct is based on the United Nations International Bill of Human Rights as well as the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and forms a binding foundation for every relationship we have with each of our suppliers. Our on-site team in the Jack Wolfskin Head Office works continuously with our partners to establish and maintain standards in production facilities across our global supply chain. We support suppliers and their workforce through training and advisory services to ensure the continuous improvement of working conditions.

Compliance to our requirements is routinely assessed on-site by independent auditors and by the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF). The findings of these reports are published on our website.

In order for each employee to know her or his rights, our Code of Conduct is clearly displayed in all supply chain production facilities, in the respective native language.