Global Operating Principles

We’re committed to a robust and transparent social compliance program.

SanMar is a participating company with the Fair Labor Association (FLA). The FLA is a non-profit organization that combines the efforts of companies, colleges, universities, and non-governmental organizations to promote adherence to international labor standards and to improve working conditions worldwide.

“SanMar takes social compliance very seriously and requires all suppliers to adhere to our Global Operating Principles,” says Marty Lott, SanMar president. “This process begins during supplier selection as it is critical that suppliers share our commitment to ethical practices and agree to abide by our strict requirements prior to receiving orders.”

SanMar’s Global Operating Principles are based on labor standards established by the International Labor Organization and they’re consistent with the FLA’s Workplace Code of Conduct.  The principles ban forced labor, child labor, harassment, abuse, and discrimination and requires suppliers to promote health and safety, freedom of association and collective bargaining, payment of wages and benefits, and appropriate compensation for overtime.

“We also require our suppliers to submit to periodic and unannounced compliance audits and to address and correct any violations identified,” says Lott. “In this way, we create greater accountability and transparency at the factories that produce our products.”

SanMar also takes great care to ensure that the materials used to manufacture our products meet our high standards and specifications. This is required to become and remain a business partner of SanMar Corporation.