I am a contract manufacturer of goods, what can/should I do?
Don’t wait to be asked. Clearly sustainability and transparency are coming. Whether your most progressive brand partners have already asked you for the information to match to their products, or they are about to. It is much, much better to be prepared. Download and study the tools—but especially the ones that most pertain to your business; Facilities Guidelines and Indicators for sure. You should progress to the metrics and methodologies because the more committed brands will be looking for this information. The good news is that instead of being like some other major trends/initiatives (like social/fair labor) where there were multiple, very similar—but still different—questions from brand customers, with these tools you can begin to capture relevant information that serves the needs of all your customers. Once you’ve completed the process with one customer, you are very prepared to answer it for all others. Lastly, get involved in the process of developing the index tools. This should be less about what is done to you as much as it is done with you. These eco index tools are the work of a global, collaborative, cross supply chain initiative. 
 
Back to the FAQ List