Portwest Planet | Sustainability Goals to Protect the Earth

Portwest Planet | Protecting our Future

Established in 1904, Portwest is a global manufacturer and distributor of workwear, safety gear and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). Employing over 4,500 people worldwide, Portwest has a team of world class designers who specialize in flame-resistant and high-visibility apparel, hand and foot protection, PPE and wearable technology.

Minimizing the impact operations have on the environment and natural resources, as well as trading ethically and operating responsibly is a fundamental part of Portwest’s business strategy.

Portwest understands that a healthy workforce is integral to achieving business goals and they're fully committed to ensuring that all worker's safety, human rights and wellbeing are respected. Pairing these goals with a focus on creating a sustainable and healthy environment, Portwest® has developed a new initiative with clearly defined short and long-term sustainability goals called Portwest® Planet.

ENVIRONMENT

Portwest is dedicated to increasing the use of sustainable and recycled materials in product manufacturing. Portwest is certified to ISO 14001, meaning they have a fully integrated and proactive Environmental Management System. 85% of all garments carry the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 label, achieving Level 3 OEKO-TEX® STeP certification, the highest possible. Portwest continuously improves their packaging portfolio and are working towards eliminating single use plastic by 2025.

LABOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Portwest aims to improve living standards and support the development of all Portwest employees. By 2023, they targeted to have ISO 450001, the Occupational Health and Safety standard, across all global sites. Portwest’s fully owned factories are audited using the SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA). Their Bangladesh factory is certified to the Gold WRAP standard, the world’s largest, independent, factory-based compliance program for responsible production in the sewn product sector.

SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT

Portwest has built extensive supplier policies and embedded processes to ensure that production is both ethical and responsible. Portwest is a member of SEDEX, the world’s leading online platform for companies to manage and improve working conditions in global supply chains. Portwest’s fully-owned factories are audited using the SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA). 

ETHICS

Portwest is committed to conducting and growing business in a sustainable and ethical manner. They have stringent policies in place to ensure the health, wellbeing, and safety of all employees worldwide, and ask for 100% engagement in corporate ethics and anti-corruption and bribery training. IT security is one of their top priorities, and they are determined to protect business information for our suppliers, customers and staff. Portwest follows the CIS20 set of best practice frameworks to achieve this.

When you purchase workwear, safety gear and PPE from Portwest, you are choosing a better option for the future of our planet and its citizens.