At Ontex, we are here for you, here for the better, which also means acting as a catalyst for positive change in the communities we serve and the wider world. Our approach is practical and people-focused, rooted in understanding real risks and sensitive contexts, improving safety and working conditions, and ensuring fair treatment for everyone in our value chain.
A proactive approach to human rights
According to the 2024 Social Benchmark by the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), 80% of assessed companies scored zero on the initial steps of human‑rights due diligence, meaning they had not properly identified or assessed risks in their value chain. This highlights why Ontex’s systematic, people-centered approach is crucial. While meeting regulatory requirements is essential, our focus is on embedding ethical values into internal processes, making strong public commitments, and engaging meaningfully with workers and suppliers.
Ontex’s program prioritizes human rights topics that are recognized as key risks in our sector, including anti-discrimination, decent work, fair wages, health and safety, and environmental protection, because these are the issues most likely to affect workers in our industry and supply chain.
By focusing on these areas, Ontex can systematically identify and mitigate real-world risks across our operations and suppliers, ensuring fair treatment, dignity, and safety for everyone in our value chain. “Our goal is to build awareness and capacity across the company,” says Jessica Paz, Group Responsible Sourcing Specialist. “From procurement teams to floor managers, we provide training so everyone not only understands how Ontex protects workers, but also knows how to spot non-ethical behavior and how to take action. This helps ensure that protections are effective every day, across our operations and throughout the supply chain.”
Engaging with our plants and suppliers in high-risk countries
Protecting human rights starts at home. At Ontex, we first review our internal procedures and perform social audits, not just to meet customer requirements, but as a proactive risk management exercise. This includes evaluating workplace policies, health and safety practices, and grievance mechanisms within our own plants. Engaging with internal stakeholders allows us to identify potential adverse impacts early and strengthen protective measures before extending our focus to suppliers.
Once internal alignment is confirmed, Ontex applies a structured methodology to evaluate suppliers in high-risk countries. The process begins with alignment meetings to present the Ontex Supplier Code of Conduct, which sets the baseline for ethical and human rights standards, and to understand each supplier’s context and maturity.
Ontex follows a systematic, step-by-step approach: setting clear ethical sourcing expectations, conducting follow-ups, monitoring ongoing progress, and ensuring corrective actions are implemented. For suppliers located in high-risk countries, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) assessments are requested to verify that disclosed information is genuine and effectively implemented.
To track our progress, we monitor key indicators such as:
- Around 35% of our raw material suppliers are located in high-risk and medium high-risk countries.
- 79% of raw material suppliers located in high-risk countries have a valid social audit report.
Cross-functional collaboration
Promoting and protecting human rights at Ontex is a shared responsibility that relies on strong cross-functional collaboration. Jessica highlights the importance of working closely with procurement and sales teams, HR and EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) groups, and colleagues at the operational level. “Our sites play a crucial role in implementing protective measures and raising concerns. Building these connections ensures that human rights are embedded into everyday decision-making across the company.”
Meri Karkovirta, Global Procurement Category Leader, says: “For Procurement it started with trainings of what Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) is, and since then, we have engaged over 60 supplier locations worldwide in the assessment. Although you might think that HRDD is not a core Procurement task, it is directly linked to building a more resilient supply chain and proactively managing supplier-related risks to secure business continuity. This allows us to ensure compliance as well as to generate additional value for Ontex.”
Dominiek Tytgat, VP Procurement Direct Materials, added: “Human rights in procurement transform buying into ethical value, preventing exploitation, building supply chain resilience, and safeguarding reputation by embedding fair labor into every purchase, moving beyond just cost savings.”
Human rights start at our doorstep
Human rights considerations are not limited to suppliers. Ontex also monitors risks within its own factories and offices. Measures include focus groups, third-party social audits, designated persons of trust in each site, grievance mechanisms, ethical training, and safe spaces for employees to voice concerns. These initiatives ensure fair treatment, respect for boundaries, and a supportive working environment for all employees—whether on the production floor or in corporate offices.
At Ontex, our human rights program reflects the company’s broader sustainability strategy, turning commitments into concrete actions that create lasting, positive impact for workers, suppliers, and communities.
Want to learn more about our human rights commitments? Read more here:
– Modern Slavery Statement 2024
Want to alert us about risks of wrongdoing? Use the Speak Up platform.
