Code of Ethics and Conduct
SECTION 1: VALUES, PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This section of the Code defines Anekdot’s principles and responsibilities in relation to corporate, labor, environmental, and social issues. These are the standards we commit to upholding in our business decisions and behaviors:
1.1 Recognition of Corporate Accountability
Decisions made at every level within an organization have broader effects on society and the environment. Therefore, it is essential that these decisions are made with a mindful consideration of their impact beyond the immediate business context.
In line with this, all decisions made across our business operations will be guided by a commitment to corporate accountability. This commitment will be reflected in every aspect of our work, including business strategy, policy creation, process development, supplier relationships, procurement, marketing, sales, and customer interactions.
Our business activities, spanning the entire supply chain, will undergo continuous improvement to ensure they align increasingly with Anekdot's core values, principles, and responsibilities.
1.2 Workers' Rights & Conditions
Anekdot is committed to fully adhering to all applicable German and EU laws and regulations concerning workers' rights and working conditions.
All employees at Anekdot will work in environments that are healthy, safe, comfortable, and hygienic, with conditions that meet or exceed the minimum standards set by German and EU laws.
Anekdot will ensure that all workers receive a full and fair living wage, along with all the rights and protections guaranteed by German and EU laws. This includes, but is not limited to, rights related to regular working hours, voluntary overtime, paid holiday, illness, incapacity to work, pregnancy, and termination. A living wage is defined as compensation that allows for a decent standard of living, covering essentials such as food, water, housing, education, healthcare, transport, clothing, and provisions for unexpected circumstances.
Anekdot is dedicated to protecting its employees from any form of discrimination or harassment, whether verbal or non-verbal, based on age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, origin, ethnicity, race, religion, disability, or illness.
The company maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination or harassment, regardless of its source.
1.3 Environmental Responsibility
Every decision made at various levels within an organization influences the environment. Anekdot operates with a holistic approach to sustainability, and therefore, all business decisions will be guided by a thorough evaluation of environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle.
Decisions will consider the environmental effects of materials used, methods of extraction and production, transportation, usage, and end-of-life. Evaluations will include alternative options, third-party certifications, and the environmental credentials of suppliers.
Sourcing
Anekdot will only source supplies that meet high, certified environmental standards. A wide range of options will be considered when sourcing all product components (such as fabrics, elastics, threads, and hardware), packaging materials, and office and studio supplies.
Sourcing decisions will take into account:
- Full life cycle (extraction, production/processing, use, end of life)
- Carbon footprint
- Energy consumption
- Water usage
- Hazardous chemical use and pollution (water, air, and land)
- By-products and waste
- Durability, reparability, lifespan, reusability, and recyclability
- Recognized third-party environmental certifications
Every fabric used in Anekdot products will meet one of the following criteria:
- The fabric is reclaimed from fashion industry deadstock, line-ends, or off-cuts that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
- The fabric is made from a naturally sustainable and sustainably processed natural fiber.
- The fabric is primarily made from recycled materials.
Anekdot will prioritize suppliers with recognized third-party environmental certifications and proven commitments to green practices. These include sustainable production methods, waste reduction, the use of renewable energy, and transparency in their operations. The environmental credentials of parent companies and partners will also be considered.
Anekdot will prioritize local suppliers and strive to reduce the transportation footprint of all supplies.
Production and waste reduction
Understanding that overproduction is a significant environmental issue in the apparel industry, Anekdot will only produce a small amount of stock and continuously produce on demand, to avoid unsold stock.
Fabric waste will be minimized at all stages of production, from procurement to the end-of-life of garments. Fabric management strategies will include:
- Purchasing controlled quantities of stock and fully utilizing fabric runs (to avoid creating line-ends)
- Designing garments intelligently and cutting fabric to minimize offcuts, while retaining and using any offcuts
- Engaging customers in pre-orders to reduce returns
- Ensuring high-quality production, sales, and post-sales services to extend garment lifespans and ensure proper end-of-life care
- Recycling unusable offcuts.
Anekdot will minimize packaging, avoid plastic use, and use only reusable, recycled-and-recyclable, and compostable packaging materials.
Packaging materials will be evaluated based on the procurement criteria mentioned above, with decisions made through a holistic assessment of available options.
Anekdot will offer only shipping options with minimal carbon footprints.
Office supplies will include high-recycled-content paper made from FSC-certified sources and minimal use of plastic. All unavoidable waste, including paper, card, plastic, and glass, will be reused and recycled.
Operational Energy Use
All Anekdot activities, from garment production to order packing and dispatch, and office work, will be powered by 100% renewable energy sources.
1.4 Social Responsibility
At Anekdot we understand that our choices in partners, suppliers, and materials have a broad social impact. We are committed to evaluating the full life-cycle social effects of our business decisions.Our approach to business will encompass:
- The social implications of the materials we use, including the methods of production, working conditions throughout our supply chain, and the environmental and social impact of our products.
- Our practices in product development, brand growth, marketing, and sales.
Anekdot Boutique will only source materials after carefully assessing their social impact. We evaluate:
- The impact of raw material extraction on workers, local communities, and society at large.
- The conditions during every stage of material production, focusing on worker health, safety, and the welfare of local communities.
We also consider the social values and commitments of suppliers’ parent companies and partners.
To ensure the highest standards in worker welfare, Anekdot will favor fabric suppliers based in Europe, adhering to EU regulations on fair treatment and working conditions.
Partnerships
In forming partnerships, whether with print shops, modeling agencies, photographers, or other organizations, Anekdot will evaluate the social values and impact of potential partners. We seek partners whose values align closely with our own.
Just like our suppliers, our partners will be regularly reviewed to ensure they uphold Anekdot’s ethical standards and values.
Diversity and Inclusion
Anekdot is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, both within our organization and in our community. We celebrate diversity across sexual orientations, genders, races, ethnicities, religions, ages, and abilities, and expect our workers and partners to share this commitment.
We strive to create an environment where everyone—employees, stakeholders, and customers—feels respected and valued, regardless of their background.
Acknowledging existing inequalities, we will focus on supporting minority and marginalized-owned and operated businesses, both in our sourcing practices and partnerships.
Anekdot is dedicated to ensuring our collection is accessible to a diverse audience and will actively assist customers who have had challenges finding well-fitting and comfortable apparel elsewhere.
SECTION 2: THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS & PARTNERS
This section outlines the standards that third parties working with or supplying Anekdot are expected to uphold. It addresses commitments to worker welfare, environmental responsibilites, and corporate, social, and community responsibilities.When evaluating potential partners, Anekdot carefully assesses their approach to employee welfare, environmental impact, and corporate and social responsibility to ensure their values align with ours. We will continuously reassess our partners to maintain these standards.
We expect all our partners to strive to meet the high standards we set for ourselves.
2.1 Worker’ rights & conditions
We require that our suppliers - including all of our virgin and recycled fabric manufacturers and our elastics manufacturers - meet or exceed the labour standards set out in the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code (including the ILO Five Fundamental Principles)or attain certification against Social Accountability International’s SA8000 Standard.:
- Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
- The elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour;
- The effective abolition of child labour; and
- The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
- a safe and healthy working environment
- Payment of living wages
- Maximum working hours
- Protection from discrimination
- Regular employment
- Prohibition of harsh or inhumane treatment
Suppliers should be able to demonstrate up-to-date certification issued by a recognised auditor confirming compliance with the nine principles of the ETI Base Code or the SA8000 Standard. Details of the SA8000 Standard can be found here.
We also require that suppliers and partners comply fully with all labor laws in the country/countries in which they operate.
2.2 Environmental responsibility
At Anekdot, we require our suppliers to:- Implement measures to reduce and minimize the environmental impact of their entire operations.
- Conduct regular assessments to evaluate the environmental effects of their operations.
- Develop and ideally maintain a continuous improvement plan to further lessen their environmental impact.
- Uphold transparency in evaluating and addressing the impacts of their operations and their mitigation efforts.
We expect our suppliers to actively manage their carbon footprints, waste and by-products, water and energy usage, and pollution of air, land, and water throughout their processes.
Additionally, suppliers should aim to achieve, or be in the process of obtaining, certification from a globally recognized standard in sustainable production, such as the ISO 14000 series or OEKO-TEX STeP certification.
Anekdot also mandates that our suppliers and partners fully adhere to all relevant environmental regulations in the countries where they operate.
2.3 Social responsibility
At Anekdot we insist that our suppliers and partners conduct their business with integrity and transparency. They must adhere strictly to all local and international regulations related to corporate governance, taxation, anti-bribery, and anti-corruption.
We expect our suppliers and partners to actively engage in social responsibility both within their organizations and in their external interactions.
Suppliers should be transparent about their production processes and ideally, evaluate and report on the social impact of their operations.
We require that our suppliers and partners publicly affirm their commitment to social values, including diversity and inclusion. They should also align with Anekdot’s zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, ensuring this principle is upheld in both internal practices and external relationships.
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Conclusion
By adhering to this Code of Ethics and Conduct, Anekdot reaffirms its commitment to ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible business practices. We believe that our success is built on a foundation of respect for people and the planet, and we are dedicated to upholding these values in every aspect of our work.
This version of Anekdot Code of Ethics and Conduct was published on 8 September 2024.