Responsibility


Design from Finland

Design from Finland -The brand tells about the origin and investment of Finnish design in Finnish professional design. The use of the brand is monitored by the Finnish Work Association. The brand was awarded to North Outdoor on April 19, 2018.

The appreciation of Finnish work, lifestyle and nature is at the heart of North Outdoor's activities. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to us to design and test all our products in the shade of Finnish conifers. In addition, all Nature knitwear is made in Finland. Our main office is located in Oulu, where we have built a warehouse and logistics center for our own knitwear. It is a very exceptional investment in the clothing industry. Our modern machines and top textile experts make sure that Finland is designed and manufactured in the world's best merino clothing.

Mulesing-free merino wool

Merino wool used by North Outdoor is Mulesing-free. Mulesing is a surgical procedure used by Australian sheep breeders, where a piece of loose skin is removed around the back of the sheep. The formation of the scar prevents the nesting and laying of the parasitic flies on the sheep skin. Undested, the procedure is painful for the sheep, and for this reason our merino wool comes from spaces where Mulesing is not practiced.

Oeko-tex® Standard 100

Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is an international, consistent textile testing and certification system. A certificate issued by an independent research institute guarantees that in North Outdoor products No substances harmful to health have been used in skin contact.

Woollmark® 

Woollmark® is a global expert company that guarantees the high quality of merino wool. The company logo is one of the world's most famous and respected trademarks. Northoutdoor's products are made of merino wool concentrations by Woolmark Pure New Wool (100%merino wool) and Wool Rich Blend (49.9%-99.9%merino wool).

Amphori bsci in a nutshell

Amphori BSCI supports its member companies in the goal of promoting ethics and social responsibility in its international chain of procurement and operating chains. The tools are BSCI's ethical operating principles. The implementation system and operating principles of the initiative are based on well -known international agreements, such as UN companies and human rights principles, the ILO Conventions of the International Labor Organization, and the OECD Code of Conduct for multinational companies. BSCI develops its own and member companies through audits, training, communications and influence.

Responsibility and Amphori BSCI

North Outdoor has been a member of the Amphori BSCI since 2019. Amphori BSCI (previously you know the Business Social Compliance Initiave, BSCI) is a global initiative aimed at improving working conditions in international chains. For North Outdoor, we want to influence our merino wool and packaging factories in China. With the initiative, North Outdoor has better opportunities to guarantee responsible activities for working conditions

As a member company, we agree to follow the Ethical rules of the Amphori BSCI. The rules are also included in the operation of corporate purchasing chains and are constantly being improved. The policies take a stand on, among other things, prohibition of child labor and forced labor, occupational health, safe working conditions, ban on discrimination, environmental protection, special protection of young workers and the right of employees to organize and negotiate.

North Outdoor activities in China

Although North Outdoor's order volumes from China are small, Amphori BSCI's operating principles are the best way to have a positive impact on local operational and work culture. The policies are also based on cooperation when the North Outdoor Chinese plant manufactures products for other companies. We systematically cooperate with our supply chain producers and guide them to the BSCI operating principles to improve working conditions.

North Outdoor and Factory Control

North Outdoor's Made in Finland collection products are made at Finnish factories. Our other products are manufactured in China. We visit all the factories used by North Outdoor regularly, and we have also hired a local employee who is in constant contact with China's factories. This aims to summarize cooperation and communication with factories. In addition, China's factories are audited by a third party.

Before auditing, the factory will make a self -evaluation according to the BSCI model. After that, the factory is performed by an audit, which is responsible for an impartial OSA (Social Accountability International) in China. Professional auditing by a third party increases the transparency and reliability of operations. Based on the audit, a plan for corrective measures can be made.

We closely monitor the audit reports of the factories. The average value of the mills used by North Outdoor is C (Acceptable). The factories received grades in many areas A (Very Good) and B (Good). The only reason for the grade C is the seasonal overtime of the factory workers, with a grade of D (Inugicient).

The influence of our factory workers is good, and long working hours are also the wish of the employees. The factories have so much production that overtime is available. Overtime is paid a proper overtime allowance. Overtime of the factories we use is not about forced labor, but about voluntary, overtime.

Threads

North Outdoor uses Intense Pro, All Day, Active, Sensitive and Arctic-The collections of yarns produced by Südwolle Group. Südwolle Group produces 100% wool yarns and wool blends. Südwolle Group emphasizes nature conservation and social and sustainable development in all its activities. The company is known for its high quality, environmental friendliness and good human resource management. The company's organic products are produced in a transparent and responsible manner. Südwo was founded in 1966 and is located in Nymberg, Germany. Südwo employs 3,200 employees worldwide. The company's factories are located in Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and China. Nature and lux -The collections are manufactured in the Italian Lanerossi Filati Kehtiämö. The origin of the wool is South America and Australia. The company emphasizes responsibility and sustainable development in all its activities. High-quality Lanerossi Fillat yarns used by North Outdoor are Woolmark and Ökö-Tex certified.