Nordstrom: Standards and Business Practice Guidelines (Appendix C)

Nordstrom Standards and Business Practice Guidelines
Chapter V. Appendices

Nordstrom   Education Apparel Industry    Research Directory for Fashion & Textiles    Clothing Factories    Human Rights    Fashion    Clothing Retailers    Clothes Manufacturers    Production & Sourcing

Child Labor Report 2005

Appendix C: Codes of Conduct Provided by Companies Surveyed

Nordstrom Standards and Business Practice Guidelines

We at Nordstrom recognize that our success is based on the quality of our relation ships with customers, employees, manufacturers, vendors and communities. To maintain the caliber of these relationships and to achieve our goal of always providing the best-value product in the most equitable manner we have established certain standards for our business partners. In setting forth these guidelines, it is our desire to identify potential partners who share our commitment not only to quality products, but to quality business and community relationships as well.

The Nordstrom Partnership Guidelines

1. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Nordstrom expects all of its partners to comply with the applicable laws and regulations of the United States and those of the respective country of manufacture or exportation. All products must be accurately labeled and clearly identified as to their country of origin.

2. HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Nordstrom seeks partners who provide safe and healthy work environments for their workers, including adequate facilities and protections from expo sure to hazardous conditions or materials.

3. EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Nordstrom firmly believes people are entitled to equal opportunity in employment. Although the company recognizes cultural differences exist, Nordstrom pursues business partners who do not discriminate and who demonstrate respect for the dignity of all people.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Partners must demonstrate a regard for the environment, as well as compliance with local environmental laws. Further, Nordstrom actively seeks partners who demonstrate a commitment to progressive environmental practices and to preserving the earth's resources.

5. DOCUMENTATION AND INSPECTION

Nordstrom intends to monitor compliance with our Partnership Guidelines and to undertake on-site inspection of partners' facilities. Nordstrom will review and may terminate its relationship with any partner found to be in violation of the Partnership Guidelines.

FURTHER, NORDSTROM EXPECTS PARTNERS TO ADHERE TO THE FOLLOW- ING:

WORKING WAGES, HOURS AND OVERTIME

We expect our partners to offer wages, benefits and work conditions which are consistent with prevailing local industry standards. Nordstrom also expects them to comply with all applicable wage and hour laws, rules and regulations including those related to overtime.

CHILD LABOR

Nordstrom will not enter into partnership with vendors who utilize child labor in the manufacture of their goods. The term "child" generally refers to a person younger than the age for completing compulsory education.

PRISON OR FORCED LABOR

Nordstrom will not conduct business with vendors who utilize prison, indentured or forced labor in the manufacture of its products.

If you have any questions regarding our Partnership Guidelines, please contact:

Nordstrom Public Affairs
1501 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101-1603
U.S.A.

(206) 628-2111
Fax (206) 628-1925

Main Menu
Companies Surveyed

Dayton Hudson Corporation

Dillard Department Stores

The Dress Barn, Inc.

Family Dollar Stores

Federated Department Stores

Fruit of the Loom

The Gap

Hartmarx Corporation

JC Penney Company

Jones Apparel Group

Kellwood Company

Kmart Corporation

Land's End, Inc.

Levi Strauss & Company

The Limited

Liz Claiborne

Mercantile Stores Company

Montgomery Ward Holding Company

Nike

Nordstrom

Oxford Industries

Phillips-Van Heusen

Price Costco

Ross Stores, Inc.

Russell Corporation

Salant Corporation

Sara Lee Corporation

Sears Roebuck & Company

Spiegel, Inc.

Stage Stores, Inc.

The Talbots, Inc.

Tultex Corporation

Venture Stores

VF Corporation

Wal-Mart Stores

Warnaco Group

Woolworth Corporation

Child Labor Report 2005

Child Labor

This report was developed and provided by the U.S. Labor Department http://www.dol.gov/iLAB/media/reports/iclp/apparel/main.htm

Guidelines Framed as Partnership

The guidelines are written in the language of partnership rather than inspection. Nordstrom says the standards exist to identify potential partners who share its commitment not only to quality products but to quality business and community relationships as well, and to provide the best-value product in the most equitable manner. Later guidelines address the treatment of people: recognizing that cultural differences exist, Nordstrom pursues business partners who do not discriminate and who demonstrate respect for the dignity of all people.

Within Appendix C the document illustrates the relationship-led end of the code spectrum. The legal and safety requirements are concrete — applicable law in both the United States and the country of manufacture, accurate origin labeling, safe facilities and protection from hazardous exposure — while enforcement machinery is left unstated, in keeping with a guidelines document addressed to prospective partners rather than a contract instrument.