SA8000

As one of Europe’s largest privately owned manufacturers of workwear, it is important that MASCOT take its social responsibility seriously.

Besides focusing on social responsibility at the headquarters west of Silkeborg, Denmark, MASCOT also focuses on fulfilling its ethical, social and environmental responsibility around the world, including our production facilities in Vietnam and Laos, both of which are SA8000 certified.

SA8000 is the most widely recognized international standard for social responsibility

It is an auditable certification standard based on international workplace norms of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It characterises companies that focus on the employees’ rights and wellbeing. A company that has received the SA8000 certificate guarantees to the outside world and its own employees that the company is a safe place to work and offers good working conditions adjusted to local conditions.

Vietnam - SA8000 PDF Laos - SA8000 PDF

SA8000 certification is important to MASCOT as we are able to publicly document the safe and secure working conditions that we have at our factories in Vietnam and Laos. A safe working environment and good conditions help to increase morale, which in turn creates reliable cooperation agreements with subcontractors and an improved communication between the manager and the individual employee.

Companies that achieve SA8000 have, for example:

With the SA8000 certification, the company declares that it wants to abolish child labour. MASCOT wants to ensure the development of its employees and help them to maintain a decent standard of living. The SA8000 certification of MASCOT’s factories in Vietnam and Laos documents the safe and secure working conditions to our business partners and customers.

Four annual SA8000 audits

MASCOT's production in Laos and Vietnam is audited by external parties twice a year. One of these audits is scheduled in good time, while the other occurs without any advance warning whatsoever. Each of the audits is incredibly thorough and typically lasts 2–3 full days each time and in each place. Many different documents and contracts are reviewed in connection with each audit and thorough inspections are carried out on site, as well as interviews with employees and checks with trade unions and local authorities. In addition, two complete internal audits are also performed each year by MASCOT's own Social Performance Team, which involve further reviews, training and the implementation of improvements based on the external audits. The certificate is renewed every three years.

MASCOT takes its social responsibility seriously

SA8000 certification not only ensures that the company follows the established ethical and social guidelines, but also prioritises that the company holds their subcontractors to the same standard. With the SA8000 certification the company is obligated to also control its subcontractors with regards to their ethical, social and environmental responsibility. MASCOT conducts regular checks and inspections on the basis of MASCOT's manual, and subcontractors are audited in accordance with the rules. With the SA8000 certification, MASCOT declares that a good working environment, no child labour, equal rights and a decent pay and working conditions are of great importance to the company.

Read MASCOT’s Social Report

Ongoing control from external certification agencies

Companies that hold the SA8000 certificate are verified regularly by an external international certification agency. At MASCOT, we believe in the importance of external audits, as our customers and business partners are then guaranteed that MASCOT is in compliance and that MASCOT continuously strives to give our employees the best possible conditions and a good working environment.