The Fair Labor Association (FLA), an international network that promotes human rights among the global workforce, has reaccredited the social compliance program of the North American promotional products industry’s largest supplier, SanMar (asi/84863).

The reaccreditation is an affirmation from the FLA that SanMar is committed to advancing better labor conditions throughout its global supply chain. SanMar joined FLA in 2007 and first became accredited in 2012. Reaccreditation does not mean SanMar’s accreditation ever lapsed; it just represents FLA’s updated evaluation of SanMar’s social compliance program through January 2023, and reflects continuous improvements that kept pace with updates to FLA standards during the intervening period.

Jeremy Lott, SanMar

“Through sustained engagement with suppliers and workers, SanMar has consistently embodied the 10 Fair Labor principles, and we commend them for the continual progress they have made since their first accreditation,” said Sharon Waxman, FLA president and CEO.

SanMar’s sourcing network spans more than 100 facilities in 21 countries. The FLA’s decision follows a multi-year review of the company’s mechanisms to ensure the facilities are in compliance with international labor standards. A comprehensive program based on international frameworks, FLA accreditation holds companies to the highest standards in labor rights, executives said.

“SanMar is honored to build on our decade-long legacy of accreditation with FLA,” said Jeremy Lott, CEO of SanMar and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people. “Our people are our top priority and the work we do with supplier relationships, data management and workplace training are critical steps toward setting a high standard for labor rights in the apparel industry.”

The FLA accreditation report delves into the details of SanMar’s social compliance program through January 2023, tracking developments that meet FLA standards.

SanMar said highlights include that it has strengthened vendor relationships through the Better Buying program, which empowers vendors to provide anonymous feedback on the supplier’s purchasing practices. In 2021, SanMar became the first Better Buying subscriber to make its Purchasing Practices Index scores publicly available.

SanMar said it has also built a data management platform to identify non-compliance trends throughout its supply chain and pinpoint the most frequent types of findings that require further action. The company said it tracks FLA program progress through detailed data management and offers training for vendors and employees to exercise their rights in the workplace. 

SanMar has placed a keen focus on sustainability and corporate social responsibility, as evidenced by its program Canvas For Good. SanMar has pledged to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% per pound of product by the year 2030, with 2019 being the base year. The supplier has also, among other initiatives, created a carbon-neutral apparel collection.

Based on estimated 2021 North American promotional product revenue of nearly $2.89 billion, SanMar ranked first on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry. SanMar this month announced that it’s establishing a new 1.1-million-square-foot distribution center in Virginia.

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