At JS, we value human rights and dignity and are committed to maintaining and improving practices to combat modern slavery and human trafficking throughout our business. We encourage our suppliers to share our commitment to providing an ethical work environment.

Our organizational structure, our business, and our supply chains

JS is a streetwear company which has its registered office in Montreal. We design, manufacture and sell fashion, accessories and home decor. Since launching in 2014, the JOAN SEED fashion brand has developed a distinctive and modern language of artworks and they showcase only the finest craftsmanship and materials.

Our staff

One of JS's overriding objectives is to conduct all of its business in an honest and ethical manner. We endeavour to maintain a fair and ethical workplace for all of our staff. It is an essential part of this that all forms of forced labour or human trafficking are prohibited and that they have no place in our business.

Similarly, compliance with all employment laws is a fundamental objective of JS and our employee handbook sets out strict rules and policies on anti-corruption, bribery, equal opportunities and discrimination.

Our whistleblowing policy invites employees to bring to our attention any illegal or improper behaviour and any breach of the Company's own policies. The whistleblowing policy encourages staff to raise any concerns about our supply chain management without fear of retribution.

Our supply chains

The key suppliers and partners in our supply chain supply fabrics and materials as well as manufacturing the clothes and other garments that JS designs. Our methods of engaging with suppliers ensure that we are confident that we remain fully compliant with the law at all times. We do remain constantly vigilant and periodically monitor risks at all levels of the supply chain.

Our due diligence processes

We expect all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners to uphold the same high standards as we do, by ensuring that all employees and workers are treated with dignity and respect in a fair and ethical environment.

Our employees are subject to right to work checks and we continue to work with our contractors to ensure that they comply with relevant employment laws including minimum wage requirements and right to work rules.

We work with our retail partners across the world to provide information on our own compliance with applicable ethical standards as well as that of our suppliers and manufacturers.

Assessing and managing risk

JS sources goods and services from Canada, United States, Europe and China. When selecting suppliers, we consider and scrutinize the reputation and integrity of the companies before deciding whether we want to work with them. Audits are carried out as part of the due diligence process before engaging companies. We regularly visit our production and supplier sites and exercise our right to carry out inspections and audits where appropriate.

We work to identify, assess, and monitor any potential areas of risk in relation to our business and supply chains. This includes considering the type of services being carried out, the nature of what is being supplied and the location from where it is being supplied. We will continue to look to manage any risks identified and work with our suppliers and manufacturers to uphold ethical standards.

Training

We consider it vital that our employees and workers are aware of the issues surrounding modern slavery and support our values. Our legal team is aware of requirements of the Modern Slavery Act. Other key stakeholders in the business are experienced in carrying out relevant due diligence checks on our supply chain, and they continue to train other members of staff in this area.

We intend to train relevant personnel to recognize environment, health, safety, and labour/worker concerns, including issues relating to slavery, human trafficking and forced labour, and to report and investigate all suspicions of improper conduct at all suppliers globally.

Looking ahead

We continue to monitor and develop our practices in respect of combatting slavery and human trafficking, particularly focusing on areas of the supply chain that may pose a higher risk of human trafficking or forced labour.

Because JS is committed to sourcing and designing only the highest quality garments, our processes will continue to evolve and improve.

JS is adding to existing protections in place by finalizing new supplier terms across the business. The new terms require that suppliers agree that they will comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Additionally, suppliers are required to agree specifically that their services will be provided with due consideration of its staff and the environment.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Canadian Modern Slavery Act and constitutes JS's slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 December 2017.