OUR APPROACH
Our approach to due diligence follows guidance from international bodies like the OECD and the United Nations.
Every day, we’re taking steps to be more transparent about our supply chain operations, but we know there’s still work to do. We’re committed to learning, improving, and finding new ways to increase transparency and accountability.
Below, you'll see each step we take to support our due diligence setup.
BESTSELLER’s Responsible Sourcing team conducts regular risk assessments to identify salient risks across the supply chain.
These risks are addressed through our supply chain policies, which are reviewed and updated when needed according to local, national or international changes and proactively shared with suppliers and factories, with adherence monitored by our local teams.
Factories are visited in person by BESTSELLER human rights and environmental impact specialists. They receive direct feedback and are engaged in tailored discussions. Data from assessments feeds into our supplier rating system, which provides transparency, enabling brands to make responsible purchasing decisions.
Factory monitoring and feedback enable early identification and resolution of potential and actual issues.
Where relevant, we invest in training and initiatives to address systemic risks.
All the compiled due diligence data is fed back to our head office team, which is responsible for: a) Managing and reducing risks year on year, and b) Steering the supply chain towards achieving BESTSELLER’s responsible business conduct targets
This data also contributes to our external reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability for our due diligence processes.
Continuous improvements
By 2025-26, we’ll start reporting in line with the European Union’s new Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and Corporate Sustainability Reporting directives. While we’re already well aligned with these requirements, we recognise that there’s always room for improvement.
Our Supply Chain Due Diligence Report is a step forward in our efforts to be more transparent about how we operate responsibly across our global supply chain. With over 400 suppliers and 700 factories in 15 countries employing around 750,000 people, this is no small task, but it’s something we’re committed to improving year on year.
In parts of our supply chain where risks to human rights may be higher – such as in Myanmar and Bangladesh – we apply enhanced due diligence and closely monitor developments on an ongoing basis. This includes assessing emerging risks linked to political instability, our business presence, and local conditions, and taking steps to address and mitigate potential impacts. To provide transparency on our approach, we publish dedicated due diligence reports that explain our understanding of the risks, the actions we take, and our expectations for suppliers.