Ethical Sourcing of Apparel

Purpose:

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek
information from suppliers and industry associations on their
current practices and approaches in regards to ethical
manufacturers and sources of supply. The primary focus of this
RFI is to receive input from the apparel industry, however,
Public Works Government Services Canada (PWGSC) would welcome
input from other industry sectors of commercial goods.

Context:

The federal government through Public Works and Government
Services (PWGSC) purchases approximately $80M of apparel
annually. This apparel includes uniforms and work wear for the
Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada
Border Services Agency, Parks Canada, Correctional Services
Canada, and various other federal departments and agencies.

In recent years, many other countries, jurisdictions and several
provinces have adopted initiatives to support the ethical
manufacturing and sourcing of apparel. The federal government is
also very concerned about ethically responsible practices in the
manufacturing of apparel. As of April 1, 2014, information on
the country of origin for apparel procured by PWGSC on behalf of
the Government of Canada for awarded contracts is published (on
buyandsell.gc.ca), for greater transparency to the Canadian
public.

In addition, PWGSC has established a Task Force to undertake
research on the ethical sourcing of apparel in other
jurisdictions as well as the practices of apparel suppliers in
Canada with offshore production. The input provided through the
RFI will form part of this research and assist PWGSC in
identifying potential options going forward. PWGSC may seek
further engagement with industry prior to implementing changes
to our current procurement practices.

Questions: In order to help PWGSC in its research, suppliers
and industry associations are being asked to respond to the
following questions.

1. Has your company or organization adopted a
convention/standard that promotes ethical manufacturing or
sourcing of apparel or other commercial goods?
· Yes or No
· If yes, what does it cover (i.e. child labour, safe working
conditions etc.)
· What is the name of the convention/standard? Please provide a
brief description.

2. Does your company or organization participate in a
certification program for the ethical manufacturing or sourcing
of apparel or other commercial goods?
· Yes or No
· If yes, provide the name of the certification and certifying
body.
· Explain what the certification covers.

3. Does your company currently have a sourcing policy requiring
the company to undertake or source from ethically responsive
subcontractors/manufacturers of apparel or other commercial
goods?
· Yes or No
· If yes, please provide a copy of the policy or provide details
on the policy in place.
· What mechanisms do you have in place to ensure that your
company (or manufacturers) complies with the policy?

4. Does your company sell products to customers who require you
to have ethical manufacturing or sources of supply?
· Yes or No
· If yes, how is this requirement brought into the business
arrangement or contract(s)?

5. What would you consider to be best practices in regards to
the ethical sourcing of apparel or other commercial goods?

6. What would be the impact to your company, subcontractor(s) or
manufacturer(s) of being required to have in place some type of
certification or compliance program?

7. Would you have any concerns about PWGSC disclosing the name
of the foreign manufacturer(s) and factories in addition to the
country of origin (already disclosed) on PWGSC buy and sell web
site?

Answers must be submitted only to Public Works and Government
Services Canada (PWGSC) Bid Receiving Unit by the date, time and
place indicated on page 1 of the Letter of Interest.

Should you have any questions, please contact:

Catherine Doré
Supply Team Leader, Clothing and Textile Division
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Email: (email on the official notice)
Phone number: (number on the official notice)

Delivery Date: 28/10/2014

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any
procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.