Hempage joined FWF on 1 November 2009. The first management system audit was performed in July 2010. The report can be downloaded here.

FWF finds that the general sourcing approach of Hempage AG facilitates effective implementation of the Code of Labour Practices. Hempage AG works with a very limited number of suppliers. The company has a long term relationship with its main supplier of clothing, which represents approximately 95% of its purchasing volume. As a result of its business model and niche market Hempage AG is able to offer its suppliers flexibility on lead times. Rather than placing pressure on suppliers through delivery times, Hempage AG delays its catalogue for the new season.

The main factory of the most important supplier of Hempage AG was audited twice: in 2008 on behalf of Hempage and in 2009 on behalf of FWF to verify improvements. To date no audits have been carried out to monitor working conditions at the three subcontractors of above mentioned supplier. Hempage AG is required to arrange audits at subcontractors of its suppliers in order to monitor working conditions in these factories.

In 2009 it was found that several improvements had been realised after the audit in 2008. After the 2008 audit the FWF Code of Labour Practices was posted in the factory. General awareness of Chinese labour legislation was found to have improved. Hempage AG financed a training course to inform workers of its main supplier on Chinese labour law and international labour standards. The factory established a workers’ representative committee in March 2009, which FWF observes as a positive first step. As the committee has not yet been functioning optimally and the representatives were proposed by factory management FWF recommends to arrange an additional factory training that aims at further strengthening social dialogue on factory level. FWF is in contact with a local NGO that is active in the city where the factory is located. This NGO could train workers to organise a free ballot to elect their representatives, and train chosen representatives on how to communicate effectively with management to articulate their interests.

As an important point for improvement it was found that the supplier register of Hempage AG does not contain the production locations of subcontractors its main supplier, which Hempage is required to provide as soon as possible.