CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) POLICY
PURPOSE
This Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy reflects US Sports and Apparel, Inc.'s dedication to ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible business practices. Through our CSR initiatives, we strive to make a meaningful difference for our employees, our stakeholders, the environment, and the communities we serve, all while staying true to our core values.
KEY FOCUS AREAS
1. Ethical Business Practices
§ Integrity, Accountability and Transparency: US Sports and Apparel, Inc. prioritizes ethical conduct, honest communication, and fairness in every decision. This includes compliance with labor, environmental, and financial laws.
§ Regulatory Compliance: We strictly adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards. This includes compliance with labor laws, environmental regulations, consumer protection standards, and financial reporting requirements.
§ Fair Labor Practices: We are dedicated to promoting ethical labor practices across our supply chain and operations. This includes ensuring that all employees and contractors work under safe and fair conditions, receiving equitable pay and treatment regardless of their role.
§ Inclusivity: Inclusivity is central to our business ethos. We actively work to eliminate discrimination and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of our organization and in our relationships with partners and suppliers.
§ Prohibition against Forced Labor and Human Trafficking: To the best of our ability, we ensure all our vendors comply with all state and federal laws and regulations regarding prohibitions against human trafficking and forced labor.
2. Employee Well-Being
§ Inclusive Workplace Culture: US Sports and Apparel, Inc. is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity, promotes dignity and respect, and ensures equal opportunities for all employees. Our hiring practices and human resources policies are rooted in fairness and inclusivity, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect.
§ Fair Compensation: We value the contributions of every team member and ensure equitable and competitive wages. We periodically review compensation structures to maintain fairness and alignment with industry standards.
§ Safe and Healthy Work Environment: The safety and health of our employees are paramount. We provide a clean, well-maintained facility that meets or exceeds all OSHA, fire safety, and other health and safety regulations and requirements. We proactively work to minimize risks.
§ Work-Life Balance: To support employees’ personal and professional well-being, we promote work-life balance initiatives such as flexible scheduling and paid time off.
§ Professional Growth: We empower employees with opportunities for continuous learning, skill enhancement, and career advancement.
3. Customer Focus
§ High-Quality, Ethically Produced Products: US Sports and Apparel, Inc. delivers apparel, uniforms, and accessories that meet the highest craftsmanship standards, while being responsibly sourced and produced to align with our commitment to ethical practices.
§ Continuous Improvement and Customized Solutions: We continuously improve our offerings and provide custom solutions that meet customer needs with high-quality, ethically produced products.
4. Environmental Sustainability
§ Waste Reduction: US Sports and Apparel, Inc. has streamlined our processes to minimize material waste in production and have recycling programs for fabric scraps, packaging materials, and office supplies.
§ Energy Efficiency: We leverage energy-efficient equipment and technologies and optimize production schedules to conserve resources. We promote products that have achieved an environmental third-party certification or standard as such products typically represent significant energy savings in the manufacturing process and sometimes may not require dry cleaning.
§ Sustainable Production Process: Whenever possible, we seek to provide products that contain recycled content, have obtained third party environmental certifications and standards, and are sustainably and ethically manufactured. We promote innovative materials, such as high-tech, moisture-wicking fabrics, which often require fewer resources to clean and maintain while also providing longer-lasting wear.
§ Green Printing Processes: Whenever possible, we use environmentally conscious printing techniques, such as water-based inks and digital printing methods, which reduce chemical waste and energy consumption.
§ Sustainable Distribution: We have Implemented strategies to reduce carbon emissions in our logistical operations wherever possible. This includes optimizing delivery routes, promoting direct shipping, and exploring low-emission transportation options.
5. Supply Chain and Workplace Responsibility
§ Ethical Supplier Partnerships: US Sports and Apparel, Inc. partners with suppliers committed to ethical labor practices and environmental responsibility. To the best of our ability, we ensure compliance with labor laws, sustainability standards, and inclusivity goals as well as commitment to continuous improvement.
§ Commitment to Diversity: We promote business-to-business relationships with diverse businesses, partners and suppliers that have been certified or recognized by third-party certification bodies, such as veteran-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, LGBTQ+-owned businesses, disability-owned businesses.
6. Community Engagement
§ US Sports and Apparel, Inc. supports local communities through partnerships with schools, non-profits, and other organizations. This includes promoting employee volunteerism via flexible scheduling and volunteer time off. Additionally, we aim to foster long-term relationships and measure our impact through periodic assessments of community programs.
IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION
§ Accountability: The CSR Committee, led by Carol A. Wood-Nutter, Board Treasurer, will oversee the implementation and monitoring of this policy.
§ Goals: Annually set measurable goals for each focus area, with progress reviewed and reported.
§ Transparency: Share periodic updates on CSR initiatives, achievements, and opportunities for improvement with employees and stakeholders.
§ Engagement: Foster open dialogue and feedback to enhance CSR activities.
§ Awareness: Promote the visibility of CSR efforts through robust internal and external communication strategies.
For more information, email carol @ ussportsandapparel.com
