LIVSN Designs releases code of conduct for suppliers

Bentonville-based outdoor apparel company LIVSN Designs has released a code of conduct for suppliers. The document “codifies existing and new policies for all LIVSN suppliers” as the company takes steps to increase the sustainability of its supply chain.

The document outlines “guidelines and expectations for pertinent practices like employment conditions and wages, health and safety standards, environmental impact, legal compliance and enforcement.”

Abby Hollis, director of product and sustainability at LIVSN, said the document has “already opened up meaningful conversations with our suppliers. We’ve been pleased to see factories take our expectations seriously and trust our partnership enough to be transparent throughout improvement periods. This sort of collaboration across the supply chain is critical to solving the social and environmental crises that plague the apparel industry.”

According to a company spokesman, most of LIVSN’s suppliers follow the code of conduct.

“But for those who are not, we require that they communicate a reasonable commitment plan toward reaching compliance. The deadline for this is 12 months, and we’re working collaboratively with our suppliers to ensure they can achieve this. Our code of conduct requires suppliers to ensure all their suppliers and subcontractors related to LIVSN production are also in compliance.”

LIVSN has three tier-one suppliers, including cut and sew, and nine tier-two suppliers, including fabric mills. The tier-one and tier-two suppliers typically manage relationships with their trim suppliers in tiers three and four, the spokesman said.

“I couldn’t be happier to be putting our values into action in such a concrete way at this code of conduct,” said Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, founder and CEO of LIVSN Designs. “Even at our limited scale, this process has started new conversations at some of our biggest factories. It’s encouraging to see our suppliers’ pride in sharing their efforts and their desire to improve in other areas.”

LIVSN has six full-time and four part-time employees.