So we are incredibly proud to announce that we have become a full member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (one of only 77 companies in the UK), which aims to promote respect for workers' rights around the globe.

 

As a full member of the ETI we have signed up for its Principles of Implementation. These set out the approaches to ethical trade that member companies should follow and require companies to:

 

• Demonstrate a clear commitment to ethical trade
• Integrate ethical trade into their core business practices
• Drive year-on-year improvements to working conditions
• Support suppliers to improve working conditions – for example, through advice and training
• Report openly and accurately about their activities

 

This latest development is part of our overarching approach to quality standards as Chris Wahlers, UK Managing Director explains.

 

"We are delighted to have graduated to full ETI membership - our latest commitment to driving quality and responsibility across every aspect of our business. As part of that commitment, we only use suppliers and sub-contractors whose ethics and values are aligned with our own, and we adopt a supportive attitude to working with them to make improvements to their own business.

 

"We work hard in the UK and in all our group companies to ensure that the rights of all our colleagues are respected and that no-one suffers discrimination. For our colleagues in our Malaysian manufacturing facilities, we ensure they are well paid, well housed, have the opportunity to develop their own careers, have access to healthcare, and of course receive full training in awareness of their own human and employment rights," said Chris.

 

ETI exists to improve human rights in global supply chains by developing effective approaches to implementing the ETI Base Code of labour practice.

All corporate members of ETI agree to adopt the ETI Base Code of labour practice, which is based on the standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

 

Its members collectively establish good practices in ethical trade, working collaboratively to develop training and resources to capture best practices, providing practical tools to help companies put their ethical trade policies into effect.

 

The membership of the ETI is part of a wider company strategy to implement best practices, safeguarding our teams' welfare and minimising our impact on the environment wherever we can, as Chris expands upon.

 

"Throughout our business, as standard practice, we integrate the consideration of environmental concerns and impact into all our decision-making and activities; and promote environmental awareness among our employees and encourage them to work in an environmentally responsible manner. We reduce waste through reusing and recycling where possible and purchasing recycled, recyclable or refurbished products and materials, and promote efficient use of materials and resources, including water, electricity, and raw materials, particularly those that are non-renewable.

 

"At our four glove manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, we place a strong emphasis on minimising our carbon footprint and are committed to reduce any potentially adverse impact of our operations on the environment.

 

"In 2022, independent auditors Intertek inspected our manufacturing operations, visiting our group-owned manufacturing facilities in Malaysia to conduct a SMETA ethical trade audit, the most widely used social audit in the world. It's a way for businesses to assess their sites and suppliers so that they know exactly what is going on in their supply chain and we were delighted with their findings," said Chris.

 

We work with Impactt who help us focus on putting workers at the centre of what we do and we are also committed to ensuring our key management systems are communicated to our customers and are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

 

Unigloves has been saving lives across the world by protecting hands and preventing the spread of disease since 1989 when it manufactured its first gloves. Today, Unigloves produces up to 145 gloves every second of every day and is one of the world’s leading glove manufacturers, as well as one of Europe’s most trusted providers of protective products and services.

 

The Unigloves Mission is to constantly find new and better ways to protect hands.

Our business is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange with SGX Symbol 8K7.

To find out more about our approach to Corporate and Social Responsibility visit: https://help.unigloves.co.uk/en/knowledge/csr-brochure, call 0800 049 6602, or email sales@unigloves.co.uk.