How NA-KD works to support safe and fair conditions for workers in its supply chain.
Why social conditions and supply chain transparency matter
Fashion is about more than just clothes. It also involves the people who make them. Every product at NA-KD is made by workers in factories, many of which are based in countries like China, Turkey, India, and Bangladesh. That is why social conditions, such as wages, working hours, and health and safety, are a key focus for us.We believe that improving conditions starts with understanding where and how products are made. Today, we work most closely with our Tier 1 factories, where garments are sewn and finished. These factories are listed publicly on our website and on Open Supply Hub. We actively engage with them to monitor social conditions and manage risks.
We have also started mapping our tier 2 suppliers, including the fabric mills and dye houses that produce the textiles. This work is still in progress, we know there is much more to do and we are working actively to improve.
Every factory we work with must adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which sets clear rules on health and safety, wages, and working hours. We also require independent social audits before production begins.
We also adapt our work depending on the region. For example, we are part of the International Accord in Bangladesh and Pakistan, which focuses on workplace safety. In other regions, such as Turkyie, we use tools such as the amfori Speak for Change grievance system to help ensure workers can raise concerns.
How NA-KD works with suppliers and partners to address risks
Monitoring factories is important, but we also work to support suppliers in addressing risks. This includes following up on audit results, requiring improvements where needed, and offering guidance to factories, which often involves sharing training and resources to address their main challenges.In 2024, around one third of our factories reached high audit ratings. However, we know some issues are complex, such as wages that fully cover living costs or limits on working hours. These challenges are often linked to larger social and economic conditions that are very difficult to address. That is why we also collaborate with other organisations to strengthen working conditions across the industry. We work with groups such as amfori and Cascale to promote long term improvements in social responsibility during production.
Once the products have reached our head office in Sweden, we support local organisations such as Räddningsmissionen and Stadsmissionen. Together, we donate clothes and back projects that help reduce social exclusion and support people facing challenges in the community.
Why this is ongoing work for NA-KD
Ensuring safe and fair conditions in fashion takes time, collaboration, and transparency. At NA-KD, we remain committed to monitoring risks, working with suppliers, and adapting our work to the local situations of workers in our supply chain. We know this is a continuous process, and we will keep sharing updates on both progress and challenges along the way.If you want to learn more about where we stand today and where we are going, you can explore our latest Sustainability Report on our website.