At Hootie Hoo Inc., we are committed to an ethical, sustainable supply chain that supports human rights and environmentally conscious behaviors in pursuit of the longevity and health of our planet.
This code is based on accepted standards and guidance provided by the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP). Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) to Hootie Hoo Inc. and all owned brands are expected to adhere to these same standards.
At a minimum, we require that all Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) of Hootie Hoo Inc. meet the following standards whether-or-not they are formally accredited by WRAP:
Compliance with Laws and Workplace Regulations
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will comply with laws and regulations in all locations where they conduct business.
Prohibition of Forced Labor
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will not use involuntary, forced, or trafficked labor.
Prohibition of Child Labor
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will not hire any employee under the age of 16 or under the minimum age established by law for employment, whichever is greater, or any employee whose employment would interfere with compulsory schooling.
Prohibition of Harassment and Abuse
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will provide a work environment free of supervisory or co-worker harassment and abuse, and free of corporal punishment in any form. Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will treat each employee with dignity and respect and will not use threats of violence or other forms of physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal harassment or abuse. Sexual or any other kind of harassment is not acceptable. Hootie Hoo Inc. expects that all manufacturing personnel are trained in harassment and related laws annually.
Compensation and Benefits
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will pay at least the minimum total compensation required by local law, including all mandated wages, allowances, and benefits.
Hours of Work
Hours worked each day, and days worked each week and each month, should not exceed the limitations of the country’s law. Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will provide at least one day off in every seven-day period, except as required to meet urgent business needs.
Prohibition of Discrimination
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will employ, pay, promote, and terminate workers on the basis of their ability to do the job, rather than on the basis of personal characteristics or beliefs. Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will not discriminate in hiring and employment practices, including salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination or retirement, on the basis of race, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, political opinion or disability.
Health and Safety
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will provide a safe and healthy work environment. Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will provide employees with a safe and healthy workplace in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, ensuring, at a minimum, reasonable access to potable water and sanitary conditions; fire safety; and adequate lighting and ventilation.
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will also ensure that the same standards of health and safety are applied in any housing that they provide for employees.
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will provide reasonable arrangements for women in connection with pregnancy, childbirth and nursing. Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will also provide reasonable safety precaution to protect pregnant women.
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will recognize and respect the right of employees to exercise their lawful rights of free association and collective bargaining.
Environment
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will comply with environmental rules, regulations, and standards applicable to their operations, and will observe environmentally conscious practices in all locations where they operate.
Customs Compliance
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will comply with applicable customs laws, and will establish and maintain programs to comply with customs laws regarding illegal transshipment of finished products.
Security
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will maintain appropriate procedures in order to ensure proper corporate security, cyber security, transportation security, and people and physical security at the facility.
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) must ensure that all sensitive, confidential, and proprietary information is appropriately protected, and must comply with applicable data privacy laws and regulations. In this regard, Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) must protect Sock Tech Solutions, Inc.'s sensitive, confidential, and proprietary information from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification and disclosure, through appropriate physical and electronic security procedures, including mitigating emerging risk to information systems by implementing appropriate IT cyber security programs. Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) must report to Hootie Hoo Inc. any suspected or actual data breach or security incident involving or suspected to involve Hootie Hoo Inc.'s data as soon they become aware.
Subcontracting
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will not subcontract production for Hootie Hoo Inc.’s products or components, which contain Hootie Hoo Inc.’s trademarks, copyrights, designs or patents, without Hootie Hoo Inc.'s express written consent, and only after the subcontractor has entered into a written commitment with Hootie Hoo Inc. to comply with this Code of Conduct.
Quality Control
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) must provide Hootie Hoo Inc. with accurate product details around sourcing to fulfill our product warranty. Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) must have quality assurance processes in place to identify any defects and implement corrective actions.
Publication and Reporting
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) will take appropriate steps to ensure that the provisions of this Code of Conduct are communicated to employees, including the prominent posting of a copy of this Code of Conduct, in the local language and in a place readily accessible to employees, at all times.
Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) must provide employees and third parties with access to adequate reporting channels to seek advice or raise legal or ethical concerns without fear of retaliation, including opportunities for anonymous reporting. Manufacturers and suppliers (and related facilities) are expected to prevent, detect, and correct retaliatory actions.
Ethical Standards
Bribes, kickbacks or similar unlawful or improper payments, in cash or kind, are strictly prohibited, whether given to obtain or retain business or for any other purpose.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
A violation of this Code can lead to the termination of the business relationship with Hootie Hoo Inc. and/or claims for damages. Other consequences In addition to contractual consequences, violations of applicable laws and regulations may trigger severe consequences, including, without limitation, fines and/or criminal prosecution.
Restricted Substances List
Hootie Hoo Inc. aligns with the restricted substances list furnished by the American Apparel and Footwear Association. Specifically, in regards to NPEO and BPA. Manufacturers should avoid yarns and scouring processes that introduce NPEO such that the final product, when tested, contains less than 100mg/kg. BPA should be avoided and procured from sources that do not introduced BPA into materials. Similarly, given the toxic and harmful nature of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), any finishing treatments should avoid PFAS in favor of the least toxic alternative.