Social Compliance & Certifications for Bulk Buyers
As your orders grow — and especially if you sell to retailers — "do you have your certifications?" becomes one of the first questions you're asked. Here's what the main ones mean, so you know what to require from a factory and what each proves to your own buyers.
Social compliance audits
These check how a factory treats its people and premises — wages, working hours, safety, and no child or forced labour:
- Amfori BSCI — a widely used social audit covering labour rights, health and safety, and fair pay.
- Sedex / SMETA — SMETA is the audit; Sedex is the platform where results are shared with buyers. Common across UK and EU retail.
- WRAP — Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production, a certification focused on lawful, humane and ethical garment manufacturing.
Product & material certifications
- GOTS — Global Organic Textile Standard; certifies organic fibre content plus environmental and social criteria through the supply chain.
- OEKO-TEX (Standard 100) — confirms a textile is tested for harmful substances and safe for skin contact.
- GRS — Global Recycled Standard; verifies recycled content and responsible production.
What to ask a factory for
Request the actual certificate, check the expiry date, and confirm the scope covers the facility making your goods. A real, current audit report is worth far more than a logo on a homepage.
Compliance isn't paperwork for its own sake — it's the difference between a supply chain you can show a retailer and one you hope nobody asks about.
Why it protects your brand
One exposé of poor factory conditions can undo years of brand building. Sourcing from audited, certified factories protects your reputation, smooths your path into retail, and increasingly satisfies due-diligence laws in the US and EU. See how we approach this on our sustainability page.
Ask us for our compliance documentation and certifications — we're glad to share them. Get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BSCI, Sedex and WRAP?
All assess labour, safety and ethics in a factory. BSCI (Amfori) and WRAP are audit and certification programmes; SMETA is an audit shared through the Sedex platform, which is common across UK and EU retail.
What certifications do I need to sell clothing to retailers?
Most retailers expect a social compliance audit (BSCI, Sedex/SMETA or WRAP), and may require product certificates such as GOTS for organic cotton or OEKO-TEX. Ask the factory for current certificates.
What is GOTS certification?
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies organic fibre content along with environmental and social criteria across the whole supply chain. It's the leading standard for organic textiles.
Have an idea? Let’s make it.
We manufacture from 100 pieces per style, with GOTS-certified organic options and photos at every stage. Send a sketch or a sentence — we’ll reply within a day.