NZ brands rally over child labour

Malcolm Rands, co-founder of ecostore, one of the brands behind the campaign. Photo / Michael Craig

New Zealand-led initiative by companies aims to eliminate practice believed to affect 150 million kids around the world.

Eight Kiwi companies - including six fashion brands - have joined a New Zealand-led campaign to eliminate child labour.

Popular labels Nom*D, Hailwood, Kate Sylvester, Ruby, Stolen Girlfriends Club and Zambesi, and home, personal and babycare company ecostore, have applied to have their supply chains independently certified by Child Labour Free.

The initiative was launched last month and companies that met its standards were able to display a mark of certification that their products are child labour free.

Kiwi furniture company Starex has already gained accreditation.

Child Labour Free is also talking with several "international brands" about gaining certification.

ecostore co-founder Malcolm Rands said securing Child Labour Free status fitted the company's founding principle of a healthier, more sustainable world. That desire included tackling important social issues, he said.

"Child labour deprives children of their childhood," he said.

"New Zealanders might think this is not an issue for us, but it deserves to demand attention globally. We're proud to be taking the first steps on the journey to becoming accredited in an effort to positively impact the issue directly."

Ecostore already refuses to stock items that have been tested on animals, and none of its plant-based products come from genetically engineered crops.

Unicef estimates child labour affects 150 million children around the world, about half working in hazardous or harmful environments.

Rands said ecostore's supply chain was a crucial part of how the operation did business. The accreditation was meaningful and would ensure supplier practices aligned with the company's values.

"It's important companies like ecostore take a stand and play a part in big global issues that affect many industries," he said.

Ecostore also refuses to stock products tested on animals, and none of its plant-based products come from genetically-engineered crops.

Child Labour Free CEO Michelle Pratt said the accreditation system gave companies and their customers the chance to make an impact on industrial practices around the world.

"We believe that Child Labour Free needs to become a globally recognised standard," she said.

"At a time when consumers are asking for greater transparency from brands and supply chain management is becoming ever more complex, this system will support brands as they work back through their supply chains."

Meanwhile, an annual global ethical fashion report will include New Zealand for the first time.

The Baptist World Aid report was first published in 2013 with a follow-up last year. The next report will include Kiwi retailers and rate them from A to F on policies, monitoring and workers' rights.