What Makes a Promotional Product Socially Responsible?

In Eco Promotional Products' efforts to assist our customers in making informed and responsible purchasing decisions, we have icons to identify the eco-friendly attributes of each product found on our site. One of these icons designates social compliancy. What exactly does this mean and why is it important?

Promotional products are made all over the world. Many are made in countries without labor laws or environmental regulations so that unregulated products may be imported to the U.S. and sold at cheap prices. Apparel is a prime example of this. American made t-shirts, polo shirts, outerwear, etc. are in many cases higher priced than garments made overseas. In part, that’s because of superior working conditions and higher wages.

Eco Promotional Products offers high quality vetted products, sold at fair prices and made at socially responsible factories.

On many items you will see the term “QCA Approved.” The Quality Certification Alliance or QCA is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization dedicated to overseeing the still undisciplined promotional products industry.  Accredited companies have met or exceeded national and international standards for; Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Security, Environmental Stewardship, Product Safety, and Social Compliance.  Items that are QCA approved are made in factories that practice safety, social responsibility and environmental stewardship. 

Many of our factories are energy efficient (some are even LEED certified), have recycling/composting initiatives and promote biking to work to minimize the environmental impact of driving cars to work.

At Eco Promotional Products, we have the highest respect for human rights and we work diligently to protect and respect workers’ rights.  We do not purchase from or conduct business with any company that participates in forced or compulsory labor or supports child labor based on local country laws. Further, we do not tolerate any form of discrimination with respect to employment. Proudly, we partner with organizations around the world requiring:

• The payment of normal and overtime wages that are allowed by the manufacturer's country of origin.
• Workers must be entitled to sick days without repercussion. Dismissal for pregnancy will not be tolerated.
• Employers must provide a safe and healthy working environment.
• There must not be any physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse.
• The legal minimum wages required by local law should be just that, a minimum, and not a stagnant level.

When choosing USA made promotional products or products that are made at socially responsible companies, you know you are buying safe products. Eco Promotional Products is your safe place for promotional products.