Ethical Clothing Code

If you are a clothing retailer in NSW you should be aware of the Mandatory Ethical Clothing Trades Extended Responsibility Scheme that came into effect on 1 July 2005. This scheme is administered by the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) to help stamp out the exploitation of outworkers and will apply to all clothes manufactured in Australia, which are retailed in NSW.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has secured an exemption from the OIR's mandatory scheme known as the Ethical Clothing Trades Extended Responsibility Scheme. This exemption will apply to ARA members who sign up to the voluntary National Retailers Ethical Clothing Code of Practice .

The ARA is calling for all NSW clothing retailers to sign up to the voluntary National Retailers Ethical Clothing Code of Practice which is far less time consuming to comply with than the mandatory scheme but at the same time helps stamp out the exploitation of outworkers.

Download a full copy of the code - click here. 

Already a signatory?

Most of the major clothing retailers have already signed the voluntary code since its launch back November 2002 accounting for 70% of the clothing retail market in NSW. The positive response by retailers to the voluntary code of practice demonstrates the commitment of retailers to help stamp out exploitation in the clothing industry.

The ARA supports an ethical clothes trade in NSW, and the payment of lawful wages to all employees. In NSW, there are an estimated 50 000 outworkers, the majority of whom are women and from non-English speaking backgrounds. As a group historically prone to exploitation, the ARA hopes that the combination of the ARA's voluntary code and the OIR's mandatory scheme will remove any competitive advantage non-ethical businesses previously enjoyed, and will create a level playing field for all retailers.

For news and events related to ethical clothing research and practices click here.

You need to sign the Agreement, attach details of you supplier list (in line with instructions in the Agreement), scan and email to the ARA . As only ARA Members are able to sign up to the voluntary National Retailers Ethical Clothing Code of Practice, you need to ensure you are an active Member of the ARA. If you are not sure of your membership status, please contact ARA Membership on 1300 368 041 or email.

The Australian Retailers Association encourages all NSW textile, clothing and footwear retailers to sign the Code . If you require any more information please contact the ARA on 1300 368 041 or email.