Epona becomes first UK business to join Fairtrade Textile Programme

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 10, 2017

London-based clothing company Epona has joined the pioneering Fairtrade Textile Programme, a scheme launched last year by non-profit organisation Fairtrade to protect workers in the textile industry.

Through the programme, Epona workers will receive support and training in production facilities, where it is most-needed to improve their rights. It will also enforce the delivering of living wages and improve business practices by monitoring every stage of the supply chain: from cotton field to factory. 

The company was purchased by the National Union of Students (NUS) in 2013 and was one of the first in the UK to use Fairtrade cotton. It is currently working towards converting 100% of its cotton to Fairtrade.

“Everyone deserves to be treated fairly and work under safe conditions," said Robbiie Young, NUS Vice President for Society and Citizenship.

"I’m really proud that Epona is the first clothing company in the UK to take this important step towards improving factory workers’ rights and, having seen the impact of Fairtrade in cotton farms first-hand in India, I feel confident about future progress.” 

“The Fairtrade Textiles Standard is the first of its kind to offer businesses a chance to reject exploitation at every stage of the supply chain,” added Fairtrade Foundation cotton product manager Subindu Garkhel.

Epona is the first UK business to join the scheme, and Fairtrade hopes it will encourage other companies to take this step towards ethical fashion.