Page 81 - ABFRL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016-17

ABFRL
SUSTAINABILITY
REPORT /

VENDOR Apart from assessing supplier performance, the VCoC
also doubles up as a means for suppliers to
DEVELOPMENT AND demonstrate their alignment to our sustainability
MANAGEMENT targets and take a step towards a greener future.
VCoC audits are conducted on a regular basis and
follow-up audits as per necessity. We are currently in
The supply chain, being a critical the process of achieving our ambitious target of
component in the value chain of a auditing 100% of our supplier base for tier 1 suppliers.
product, offers great opportunities for
implementing initiatives that can lead to Sustainable Sourcing
sustainable production and There are two major channels through which all our raw
manufacturing. Thus, it is vital to materials are sourced: fabric and conversion. While all
collaborate with the supply chain to fabrics are sourced from reputed manufacturers to
ensure high quality standards, the conversion materials
achieve the desired sustainability goals. are sourced from medium and small suppliers, thereby
providing an impetus to this market segment.
Along with this, we are also focussing on sourcing
materials from local artisans and showcasing designs
unique to that region through our clothing lines. At the
corporate level, our commitment is to work with the
society to improve living conditions of economically
challenged people.

Green Channel Partnership (GCP)

It is a unique kind of joint improvement initiative where
key fabric mills and garmenting vendors are identi ed
based on their internal systems, infrastructure and
management commitment to meet the desired
standards and their past performance.
GCP is a supplier self-certi cation programme for fabric
inspection and lab testing based on our standards and
The various initiatives undertaken for the suppliers are requirements. Green Channel vendors are certi ed with
listed as below: one year validity and renewed based on the vendor
performance index.
Process Improvement Green Channel supplier performance is monitored
through random audits, regular inspection, testing
correlation, product rejection communication and VPQI
To improve overall process quality, critical processes are performance analysis.
identi ed with respect to crucial requirements of
customers. The relevant quality parameters of those
processes are then identi ed and measured. The Higg Index
improvement parameters are taken on priority and
assigned to a project team.
We believe that the bene ts of Higg Index must be
The progress of all such projects is regularly monitored extended to our value chain, and therefore, we
until the desired results are achieved. introduced the concept and facilitated self-assessments
for chosen textile and garmenting manufacturers.
ABFRL Vendor Code of Conduct In addition, we also helped them strategise action plans
to enhance their environmental and social performance,
and thereby improve their overall Higg Index score.
Our code of conduct recommends environmental and
social management systems as outlined by the Indian
Factories Act, International Labour Organisation (ILO)
and SA 8000 standards.

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