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Responsible sourcing — also known as ethical sourcing or sustainable sourcing — is a voluntary commitment by companies to address social and environmental concerns within their supply chains. Many of the buyers and brands sourcing in Lesotho have positioned themselves as socially conscious companies. They are committed to responsible sourcing as their customers want to be able to trust their products. This goes beyond product safety and quality. A growing group of consumers around the world, but particularly in the US and Europe, want to know where the products they buy come from, how the workers in the supply chain are treated, and what impact the making of the products has on the environment. The Lesotho apparel industry is working towards being regarded as a responsible or ethical sourcing destination. Local manufacturers are working to continuously improve their standards, with the support of the trade unions and government. Lesotho labour legislation already meets international standards. In addition the industry has been working with brands and retailers such as Gap Inc., Levi Strauss and Wal-Mart, which are committed to such principles. Factories in Lesotho comply with codes of conduct set by US retailers and clothing brands, many of whom monitor conditions in Lesotho. These three companies have also been giving back to the industry in the form of support for ALAFA, the Apparel Lesotho Alliance to Fight AIDS. Over the past few years, the procurement policies of the international brands sourcing in Lesotho have helped to improve working conditions in the country. The links below provide more information about individual company policies on responsible sourcing. The article below examines the Lesotho apparel industry's responsible sourcing initiative:
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