Global Child Labour Certification Mark Announces 2016 UK Launch

LONDON - Dec. 21, 2015 - PRLog -- A group of international social entrepreneurs – ‘Child Labor Free’ (CLF) – are bringing a new global accreditation system to the UK which will allow companies across all product categories to have their supply chains independently certified as ‘Child Labor Free’. Qualifying businesses will be able to display the prestigious mark of certification, communicating where their brand is on the journey to becoming child labor free.

CLF is working with Ernst & Young (EY) and DLA Piper, who are leading the supply chain analysis process and integrity of the accreditation system. CLF also collaborate with a range of regional accreditation partners to continue driving innovation across the accreditation process.

Saatchi & Saatchi and Britannia Communications have been engaged by CLF to provide business strategy, branding, and digital communications consultancy. CLF is also working with International NGOs, taking expert guidance on how to provide sustainable alternatives to child labor and to ensure children, families and communities are supported along the way.

Michelle Pratt, Co-founder of Child Labor Free said, “ Child labour might not be something people are even thinking about, but right now there are in excess of 150 million children around the world, labouring across almost every industry you can think of. We want to be able to give companies and consumers the opportunity to positively impact the issue directly, simply by choosing the Child Labor Free mark.”

“At a time when consumers are asking for greater transparency from brands and supply chain management is becoming ever more complex, this system will support brands as they work back through their supply chains – to certify their products at a manufacturing level, component level and eventually all the way to their source materials. From the consumer’s perspective, the mark will give them the information they need to make an informed choice. Our approach is about enabling conscious consumerism. In the same way that we have come to expect ‘cruelty free’ as an industry norm in beauty, or actively seek out ‘organic’ or ‘free range’ produce in our supermarkets, we believe that ‘Child Labor Free’ needs to become a globally recognised standard.”

“One thing we really want to stress is that this is a positive movement for change. This is a highly complex issue, and for a company to come out today and say they’re prepared to take this first step with us, is a bold move, but one we believe their consumers will reward them for.”

“This started a journey that has taken us around the world, consulting with some of the biggest brands and experts on the issues of labour, accreditation systems and of course, the protection of children. In preparing the product for market, we started by looking at supply chains –  that’s when we approached several brands to become beta testing partners. These pilot partners currently include: Starex Furniture, Hailwood, Kate Sylvester, NomD, RUBY and Stolen Girlfriends Club. They’ve worked with us while we stress-tested the proprietary software and the accreditation system.  They’ve helped us by documenting and sharing their journey with the industry and customers along the way. Becoming accredited takes some time. Whilst many of the brands on the journey now have better insight into the tier one of their supply chain, that’s just the beginning of what will likely be a challenging but rewarding journey’.

It is clear there is a need out there for this system. The ultimate solution to this issue goes far beyond an accreditation system of course, but what the system stands for - honesty, transparency and ethics is what we believe will drive the real change.”

Dr Amabel Hunting, an expert in consumer behaviour and ethical consumption from Auckland University, a contributor to CLF said, “While ethical consumers were once considered a niche group, recent research has found an increasing number of consumers across the market are concerned about these issues. This is especially true among the younger generation; they care about how workers are treated and will reward brands that share information on their supply chain. An inability to respond to this issue means businesses will miss out on this future market and potentially alienate their existing customers. There is currently a significant gap between what customers expect and what most businesses are delivering, so I believe this system is well timed to help brands meet this need.”

Child Labor Free dream of a world where children are free to be just that - children. Join us on our journey and change the story of children everywhere.

More information is available at http://www.childlaborfree.com

Notes to Editors

The Child Labor Free Story

Child Labor Free is an innovative accreditation system certifying brands, supply chains and businesses as free of child labor.

A revolutionary movement, Child Labor Free is dedicated to working with brands and services to ensure their supply chains are free of child labor. Flipping the convention of 'blaming and shaming' into a consumer led movement for positive change, the Child Labor Free mark will stand for sustainability, ethical practice, and most importantly - certainty children are not being exploited.

With 168 million children all around the globe in labor, Child Labor Free is dedicated to not only ensuring supply chains are free of children, but that children are protected. The Child Labor Free Foundation will work alongside brands and businesses, supporting them if child labor is found in their supply chain, as well as working with local communities and NGO's to combat the underlying causes of child labor.


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