Wolverine factories take up FDRA code of conduct

06/05/2015
Wolverine factories take up FDRA code of conduct
Footwear brands including Wolverine Worldwide, Brown Shoe Company, H.H. Brown, R.G. Barry Brands and BBC International have pledged support for Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) Footwear Production Code of Conduct.

Launched last July, the code aims to support supplier factories through the of shared standards ensuring continuous improvement in working conditions, health and safety and environmental stewardship

"This month marks the official adoption of the FDRA Code of Conduct for all Wolverine Worldwide suppliers," said Mike Jeppesen, president of operations at Wolverine Worldwide. 

"The industry, through FDRA, has worked in a collaborative way to develop universal criteria that will ensure that footwear factories worldwide adhere to clear and attainable standards.  We are excited about the impact this effort will have for all footwear workers."
Greg Tunney, CEO of R. Barry Brands and FDRA Chairman, added that the code is “sorely needed”: 

 "There are too many duplicitous audits that don't effectively provide oversight," he said. "This Code has been sorely needed and it is my hope that it reduces the number of audits on factories while providing more accurate information."