Imperial Bricks requires all of its manufacturing partners meet and evidence at least four of the key internationally recognised standards for product quality, sustainability and ethical supply.
As a long-standing SEDEX member, we have always insisted our supply partners carry out SEDEX audits where relevant. The audits are totally independent, internationally recognised and meet the guidelines of the Ethical Trade Initiative Base Code. SEDEX audits are seen as the benchmark for ethical trading/health and safety, and used by companies such as M&S and Dyson.
We have now formalised this policy/process to ensure our partners meet at least four of the following standards (the top three are mandatory):
- SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) Report
- Anti-Modern Slavery Policy
- UKCA/CE Mark – CPR Compliance in Clay brick products
- ISO 9001 – Business Quality Management System
- BES 6001 – Responsible Sourcing
- ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System
- ISO 45001 – Health and Safety Management System
At the present time, 80% of our factories have already achieved all of the 7 standards listed above. The remainder are working to meet these standards from 1st April 2021, as part of our ongoing supply chain development policy.
We are happy to demonstrate full transparency of our supply chain to individual customers under an NDA agreement, to show that our factories meet or exceed the key requirements.
We are able to stipulate and develop these high standards thanks to the long-term, exclusive trading relationships established with our global partners.
We work with these manufacturers over several years, so our customers throughout the supply chain – merchants, specifiers, builders, developers and end users – can be confident our bricks are made ethically, to the highest quality and reliably supplied.