At Arcaa, every piece begins with thoughtful design at our Byron Bay headquarters and is ethically crafted in certified, family-run factories in China. These factories undergo yearly audits to ensure safe, supportive working conditions. We maintain close, collaborative relationships with our makers, visiting them regularly—the most recent visit being in July 2024—to uphold our shared commitment to high ethical standards. Our partners are dedicated to producing high-quality garments while prioritizing the well-being of their employees. Together, we’re on a continuous journey to refine and enhance our ethical and sustainable practices.
The BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) certification is a globally recognized standard that aims to enhance working conditions across supply chains. As part of the amfori BSCI system, it provides a robust framework for monitoring and assessing suppliers' social compliance. The certification covers crucial areas such as fair wages, safe working environments, ethical business practices, and respect for workers' rights. Factories with BSCI certification undergo regular, independent audits to ensure these standards are consistently met, with any issues addressed promptly to maintain compliance. This certification is essential for ensuring that products are ethically produced in a responsible and sustainable manner.
The SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) certification is one of the most widely used ethical audit formats globally, designed to assess the working conditions within supply chains. It covers four key pillars: Labor Standards, Health & Safety, Environment, and Business Ethics.
Factories that undergo a SMETA audit are evaluated against these pillars to ensure they meet ethical standards, such as fair treatment of workers, safe working conditions, and environmental responsibility. SMETA audits are conducted by third-party auditors and are based on the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code, which is internationally recognized for promoting workers' rights.
The GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification is a leading international standard that verifies recycled content in products and ensures responsible social, environmental, and chemical practices throughout the production process. Managed by Textile Exchange, the GRS covers the entire supply chain, ensuring that materials are recycled, processed, and manufactured under strict ethical guidelines.
The certification focuses on traceability, ensuring that recycled materials are properly tracked through every stage of production. It also imposes strict limits on the use of hazardous chemicals and requires adherence to rigorous social and environmental standards. Products bearing the GRS label are recognized for meeting these high standards, providing consumers with confidence in the sustainability and ethical integrity of their purchase.
MINIMAL PRODUCTION WASTE
We prioritize sustainability by opting for knitted construction in many of our lifestyle pieces, a method that significantly reduces production waste. Unlike traditional woven garments, which require fabric to be cut into patterns, our knitwear is crafted to shape directly through precise programming. This process results in minimal leftover material, with only small amounts of yarn remaining, which we repurpose for future designs. This approach not only preserves resources but also aligns with our commitment to reducing our environmental impact.
