Corporate Responsibility
ETHICAL TRADE
We are members of the Ethical Trading Initiative, an organisation we joined in 2010. ETI is a leading alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations that promotes respect for workers' rights around the globe. As a member of the ETI, we are required to ensure that all of our suppliers commit to a code of practice covering clear and measurable standards related to wages, working conditions and employment rights. We have a supplier code of conduct found here and we communicate our standards to suppliers and factories including the code of the conduct which is based on the ETI Base Code. The ETI Base Code is an internationally recognised code of labour practice founded on the conventions of the International Labour Organisation.
- Employment is freely chosen
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour shall not be used
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive
- No discrimination is practised
- Regular employment is provided
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.
We are committed to establishing long term relationships with our suppliers who share our business values and approach to sustainable and responsible business. We meet with all of our new suppliers to discuss our ethical trading requirements and carry out visits to check they are in compliance with the Code. Each supplier agrees to uphold the Code and our partner agreements reflect these obligations. DAKS is prepared to take action against any supplier who fails to meet these standards and in more serious cases this may involve termination of the relationship. To learn more about ETI and what it means to be a member, visit http://www.ethicaltrade.org/
We are committed to the ETI Base Code internally whereby our legal counsel, head of product and licensing and our general manager in London meet regularly to review our supplier's adherence to the Code, look at any risks and report to the board as needed. Our supply chain is situated in the UK and Italy. Currently we have not had to address any salient risks to address, but are mindful of the areas of modern slavery and working hours and equal pay, which are areas which we are aware with other members that could be potential risks and therefore we continue to monitor when we carry out visits. Before agreeing to take on any supplier we have them fill out a full questionnaire to ensure that they have in practices to address any risks which we monitor throughout our arrangements with each supplier.
As part of the ETI requirements and for transparency we have listed below our first tier supply chain, which will be updated from time to time.
PRODUCTS
Our products are currently sourced from suppliers in the European Union. These suppliers are important to us and we choose our partners carefully with great care, with emphasis on long-term relationships. We recognise the importance of sourcing raw materials responsibly. We expect all companies throughout our supply chain to meet high ethical trading standards, from the cultivation of raw materials through to factory production and beyond.
ANIMAL WELFARE
We recognise the importance of operating to high ethical principles and practices that require animals in our supply chain to be treated with care and respect. We continue to work with our suppliers to have full traceability of our supply chain and to ensure that our values and principles are implemented and upheld.
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
We believe that it is essential that both as a company and as individuals we should operate in an environmentally conscious manner. Our objective is to minimise the impact of our business activity on the environment wherever possible including recycling at our Head Office and in our stores, reducing water consumption and wastage and avoiding unnecessary travel.
CHARITIES WE SUPPORT
HRH THE Duke of Edinburgh Award
We are a Silver Partner of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the Charity that gives young people from all backgrounds the chance to have a successful and rewarding future.
The Pony Club
We are also long-term supporters of The Pony Club, the Charity and international voluntary youth organisation for those interested in horses, ponies and riding, sponsoring the annual International Mounted Games Championship at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
This document was last reviewed September, 2023.