Ethics

Magnetic Advertising is committed to improving working practices at the factories within which it places production.

The internationally recognised guidelines of the ETI Base Code, which incorporate the core principles of SA8000, provide the framework from which the process is developed. The ETI Base Code contains nine clauses reflecting the most relevant international standards with respect to labour practices. These clauses can in brief be listed as follows….

  • Employment is freely chosen
  • Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
  • Working conditions are safe and hygienic
  • Child labour shall not be used
  • Living wages are paid
  • Working hours are not excessive
  • No discrimination is practiced
  • Regular employment is provided
  • No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed

In practice, this means that we audit any factory we are planning on working with, against international ethical standards. These audits are carried out on our behalf by accredited independent organisations.

The aim of these audits is to identify companies that are not exploitative of their workers and are committed to building an honest, open and worker inclusive business. The audit also allows Magnetic together with the auditors and the factory management, to identify areas for improvement from which we create our CAP (Corrective Action Plan) for the factory. The definition of a CAP is as follows: a Corrective Action Plan is a step-by-step plan of action and schedule for resolving weaknesses or areas of non compliance to the ETI Base Code.

Magnetic’s principles for corrective action can be described as follows….

  • The negotiation and implementation of agreed schedules for corrective actions
  • The immediate cessation of serious breaches of the code that are taking place in a factory
  • The termination of business relationships where the supplier concerned persists in serious breach of the code

Not every factory with which we begin working is necessarily a symbol of manufacturing perfection. It does mean that we select partners to work with based on product quality, price and as importantly, a commitment from factory management to develop, improve and implement good working practices and conditions. This ensures that our investment, both in human and financial resource, benefits factory workers as much as factory owners and managers.

All ongoing factory relationships are undertaken on this basis, and Magnetic Advertising do not knowingly work with any factories in serious breach of any of the guiding principles of the ETI Base Code.

These working methods have been developed in conjunction with key charity clients and also with leading independent auditing organisations.