Worldwide Responsible
Accredited Production
Overview of
WRAP
WRAP is an independent,
non-profit organization
dedicated to the certification
of lawful, humane and ethical
manufacturing throughout the
world.
In addition to information on
WRAP’s purpose, principles, and
procedures, this site contains
guidelines and forms for
factories interested in becoming
WRAP-certified and an
application form for monitors
seeking WRAP accreditation
Why
WRAP ?
Apparel producers are
accountable for their global
production practices to
consumers, retailers,
governments, and others. Several
organizations are dedicated to
setting manufacturing standards,
particularly regarding human
rights. WRAP is unique among
apparently similar organizations
because it combines all of the
following important attributes.
Market-driven, High Standards
Consumers and retailers
ultimately drive manufacturing,
but from the factories’
immediate perspective, the
market for their products
consists of the companies that
source apparel and footwear.
Increasingly, factories will be
obliged to heed requests of
companies requiring compliance
with WRAP principles and
procedures. The American Apparel
and Footwear Association (AAFA),
whose members produce 85% of
sewn products sold at wholesale
in the United States, gave birth
to the idea of WRAP in 1998 and
promotes it to this day. Other
major international business and
industry associations have
endorsed not only WRAP’s
principles but also its Apparel
Certification Program, which is
the world’s largest independent
program.
Independent from the Industry
In its governance and finances,
WRAP is independent of the
industrial sectors for which it
offers factory certification
programs. Since its
incorporation in 2000, its
charter mandates that the
majority of its Board members be
from non-industry professions.
Representatives from varied
industries bring a needed
perspective to the Board since
the purpose of WRAP is to make
progress in the workplaces of
their industries. However, the
Board members drawn from
academia, civil society, and
other arenas can and do
occasionally outvote them. WRAP
is not a membership association
to which companies or licensers,
such as universities, pay (often
substantial) dues. Factories pay
WRAP an application fee.
Monitors pay WRAP an annual
registration fee for each
country in which they seek WRAP
accreditation. Each factory then
negotiates an inspection fee
with the accredited monitor of
its choice—WRAP does not set
these fees nor benefit from
them.
Factory-based
WRAP certifies individual
factories, many of which are
small or medium businesses
contracted (or subcontracted) by
brand managers or retailers. The
certification is not for the
brand and not for the company
that owns it. Factory
certification, on the other
hand, places responsibility for
improving workplace conditions
squarely on the shoulders of
those who own and operate a
specific facility.
Eliminates Duplication
A side benefit of factory-based
certification is that it
eliminates costly and
time-consuming duplication of
monitoring efforts. WRAP’s
raison d’être is to provide a
standard against which factories
are measured regarding their
treatment of workers, the
natural environment, and other
concerns. Before WRAP was
established, a factory manager
needed to invest several
workdays and thousands of
dollars to comply with audits
(usually limited to human
rights) demanded by public
interest groups. Some factories
undergo seven or eight audits a
year. A WRAP certification now
replaces many of these audits as
more and more major brand
managers and retailers are
accepting it as they would their
own. (WRAP’s goal is to make its
program the one audit that all
parties feel confident in
adopting.) This results in
savings of time and money for
the factory, lower prices for
the consumer, more business for
the factories, and increased and
better job conditions for the
workers. On the other hand, WRAP
places great demands on the
manufacturers. As mentioned
above, they need to comply not
only with general principles,
but also with detailed
procedures and record keeping.
WRAP has not only fostered
corporate social responsibility,
but has contributed to greater
productivity, lower turnover,
improved communications between
management and employees, safer
and more secure working
conditions, and greatly improved
worker morale
WRAP 12
PRINCIPLES
Compliance with Laws and
Workplace Regulations
Facilities will comply with
laws and regulations in all
locations where they conduct
business.
Prohibition of Forced Labor
Facilities will not use
involuntary or forced labor.
Prohibition of Child Labor
Facilities will not hire any
employee under the age of 14 or
under the minimum age
established by law for
employment, whichever is
greater, or any employee whose
employment would interfere with
compulsory schooling.
Prohibition of Harassment or
Abuse Facilities will
provide a work environment free
of supervisory or co-worker
harassment or abuse, and free of
corporal punishment in any form.
Compensation and Benefits
Facilities will pay at least the
minimum total compensation
required by local law, including
all mandated wages, allowances &
benefits.
Hours of Work Hours
worked each day, and days worked
each week, shall not exceed the
limitations of the country’s
law. Facilities will provide at
least one day off in every
seven-day period, except as
required to meet urgent business
needs.
Prohibition of Discrimination
Facilities will employ, pay,
promote, and terminate workers
on the basis of their ability to
do the job, rather than on the
basis of personal
characteristics or beliefs.
Health and Safety
Facilities will provide a safe
and healthy work environment.
Where residential housing is
provided for workers, facilities
will provide safe and healthy
housing.
Freedom of Association and
Collective Bargaining
Facilities will recognize and
respect the right of employees
to exercise their lawful rights
of free association and
collective bargaining.
Environment Facilities
will comply with environmental
rules, regulations and standards
applicable to their operations,
and will observe environmentally
conscious practices in all
locations where they operate.
Customs Compliance
Facilities will comply with
applicable customs laws, and in
particular, will establish and
maintain programs to comply with
customs laws regarding illegal
transshipment of finished
products.
Security Facilities will
maintain facility security
procedures to guard against the
introduction of non-manifested
cargo into outbound shipments
(i.e. drugs, explosives
biohazards and /or other
contraband).
To
know more about
WRAP and
WRAP Consultancy Services
please contact us on +91 9600001996
and mail to
info@nucleus-india.com
