Privacy Policy
Mad Hats Australia
Ethical Sourcing & Modern Slavery Policy
Policy Owner: Mad Hats Australia
Effective Date: 31 December 2025
Review Date: Annually
1. Our Commitment Mad Hats Australia is committed to conducting business ethically, responsibly and with integrity. We have zero tolerance for modern slavery, forced labour, human trafficking, child labour and unethical workplace practices throughout our business and supply chain.
We are committed to working with suppliers who share our values and comply with all applicable employment, human rights, environmental and workplace safety laws.
Mad Hats Australia is also committed to responsibly sourcing both raw materials and finished products from suppliers who demonstrate ethical business practices, respect for human rights, environmental responsibility and sustainable manufacturing wherever reasonably practicable.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- Mad Hats Australia
- All employees
- Contractors
- Suppliers
- Manufacturers
- Agents
- Business partners
- Subcontractors
All persons and organisations engaged by Mad Hats Australia are expected to uphold the principles outlined in this policy.
3. Our Standards
Mad Hats Australia expects all suppliers to provide workplaces that are:
3. Our Standards
Mad Hats Australia expects all suppliers to provide workplaces that are:
- Free from forced or compulsory labour
- Free from child labour
- Free from human trafficking
- Safe and healthy
- Non-discriminatory
- Respectful of workers' rights
- Compliant with local labour laws
Workers must be employed voluntarily and be free to leave their employment after providing appropriate notice in accordance with local laws.
Suppliers are expected to respect internationally recognised human rights and maintain ethical employment practices throughout their operations.
4. Child Labour
Mad Hats Australia will not knowingly source products from manufacturers or suppliers that employ child labour.
Suppliers must comply with all applicable minimum age requirements and relevant International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions relating to child labour and young workers.
Where young workers are legally employed, suppliers must ensure they are protected from hazardous work and are provided with appropriate working conditions.
5. Forced Labour
Suppliers must not:
Suppliers are expected to respect internationally recognised human rights and maintain ethical employment practices throughout their operations.
4. Child Labour
Mad Hats Australia will not knowingly source products from manufacturers or suppliers that employ child labour.
Suppliers must comply with all applicable minimum age requirements and relevant International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions relating to child labour and young workers.
Where young workers are legally employed, suppliers must ensure they are protected from hazardous work and are provided with appropriate working conditions.
5. Forced Labour
Suppliers must not:
- Use forced, bonded or involuntary labour.
- Use prison labour where prohibited by law.
- Require employees to surrender passports, identity documents or personal belongings.
- Charge recruitment fees to employees.
- Restrict employees from leaving employment after reasonable notice.
- Engage in any form of human trafficking or exploitation.
Employment must always be voluntary and workers must have freedom of movement.
6. Fair Employment
Workers should receive:
6. Fair Employment
Workers should receive:
- Fair wages in accordance with applicable laws.
- Legal working hours.
- Required meal and rest breaks.
- Overtime payments where applicable.
- Equal opportunities regardless of race, religion, gender, age, disability, nationality or other protected characteristics.
- Respectful treatment free from harassment, abuse or intimidation.
Mad Hats Australia supports workplaces that promote dignity, fairness and respect for every employee.
7. Workplace Health & Safety
Suppliers are expected to provide:
7. Workplace Health & Safety
Suppliers are expected to provide:
- Safe and healthy working conditions.
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Fire prevention and fire safety systems.
- Clearly marked emergency exits.
- Appropriate training and supervision.
- Clean and hygienic facilities.
- Compliance with all applicable workplace health and safety legislation.
Suppliers should continually improve workplace safety and promote a culture of injury prevention.
8. Environmental Responsibility
Mad Hats Australia encourages suppliers to operate responsibly by:
8. Environmental Responsibility
Mad Hats Australia encourages suppliers to operate responsibly by:
- Reducing waste.
- Minimising environmental impacts.
- Improving energy efficiency.
- Conserving natural resources.
- Reducing unnecessary packaging.
- Managing chemicals responsibly.
- Complying with all applicable environmental legislation.
- Supporting sustainable manufacturing practices where commercially practical.
Mad Hats Australia encourages the responsible use of recycled, renewable and environmentally preferred materials wherever feasible.
9. Supply Chain Transparency & Responsible Raw Material Sourcing
Mad Hats Australia values transparency throughout its supply chain and recognises that ethical sourcing extends beyond the finished product to include the responsible sourcing of raw materials.
Suppliers are requested to provide information regarding:
9. Supply Chain Transparency & Responsible Raw Material Sourcing
Mad Hats Australia values transparency throughout its supply chain and recognises that ethical sourcing extends beyond the finished product to include the responsible sourcing of raw materials.
Suppliers are requested to provide information regarding:
- Manufacturing locations.
- Factory certifications.
- Labour practices.
- Workplace policies.
- Ethical sourcing procedures.
- Raw material sourcing practices.
- Country of origin of significant raw materials where reasonably available.
- Supply chain traceability initiatives.
Suppliers are encouraged to source cotton, polyester, recycled fibres, packaging materials and other raw materials from reputable suppliers who also demonstrate respect for human rights, environmental protection and responsible business practices.
Where reasonably practicable, suppliers should:
Where reasonably practicable, suppliers should:
- Take reasonable steps to ensure raw materials are not associated with forced labour, child labour or human trafficking.
- Promote transparency and traceability throughout their supply chains.
- Maintain records supporting the origin of significant raw materials.
- Continually improve responsible sourcing practices.
Mad Hats Australia gives preference to suppliers and manufacturing partners that maintain recognised certifications and independently verified management systems, including but not limited to:
- ISO 9001
- WRAP
- SEDEX / SMETA
- BSCI
- OEKO-TEX®
- Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
- Better Cotton (BCI) or equivalent
- FSC® (where applicable for paper and packaging)
Other recognised international quality, environmental or ethical sourcing standards.
10. Supplier Expectations
Suppliers are expected to:
10. Supplier Expectations
Suppliers are expected to:
- Operate legally and ethically.
- Comply with all applicable labour, employment and environmental legislation.
- Maintain safe and healthy workplaces.
- Prohibit forced labour, child labour and human trafficking.
- Source raw materials responsibly wherever reasonably practicable.
- Cooperate with reasonable requests relating to ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency.
- Maintain accurate records supporting ethical sourcing practices.
- Notify Mad Hats Australia of any significant breaches affecting ethical compliance, workplace safety or supply chain integrity.
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in environmental, ethical and social responsibility practices.
Failure to meet these expectations may result in the review, suspension or termination of the supplier relationship.
11. Continuous Improvement
Mad Hats Australia is committed to continually improving its ethical sourcing and responsible procurement practices through:
11. Continuous Improvement
Mad Hats Australia is committed to continually improving its ethical sourcing and responsible procurement practices through:
- Supplier engagement and collaboration.
- Ongoing review of sourcing practices.
- Supply chain risk assessment.
- Education and awareness for employees and suppliers.
- Continuous improvement initiatives.
- Encouraging greater transparency throughout the supply chain.
- Promoting responsible sourcing of raw materials.
- Supporting environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices.
- Periodic review of supplier performance and recognised certifications.
Mad Hats Australia recognises that supply chains continually evolve and is committed to working collaboratively with suppliers to strengthen ethical standards, environmental responsibility and transparency.
12. Reporting Concerns
Employees, suppliers and other stakeholders who become aware of suspected unethical practices, modern slavery, human trafficking or serious labour violations are encouraged to report those concerns to Mad Hats Australia.
Email: sales@madhats.com.au
All reports will be treated confidentially, investigated appropriately and managed in accordance with applicable laws and company procedures. Mad Hats Australia will not tolerate retaliation against any person who raises a genuine concern in good faith.
13. Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or earlier if required due to legislative changes, changes in business operations or emerging risks within our supply chain.
Mad Hats Australia is committed to ensuring this policy remains relevant, effective and aligned with recognised ethical sourcing standards.
Mad Hats Australia Commitment
Mad Hats Australia believes that quality products should be produced responsibly, ethically and with respect for people and the environment.
We are committed to building long-term partnerships with suppliers who share our commitment to ethical business practices, respect for human rights, workplace safety, environmental responsibility and the responsible sourcing of both raw materials and finished products.
By working collaboratively with our manufacturing partners, we aim to ensure that every Mad Hats product is produced with integrity, accountability and respect throughout every stage of the supply chain—from the responsible sourcing of raw materials through manufacturing, decoration, packaging and final delivery to our customers.
Mad Hats Australia will continue to promote transparency, continuous improvement and responsible sourcing practices as part of our commitment to customers, employees, suppliers and the communities in which we operate.
12. Reporting Concerns
Employees, suppliers and other stakeholders who become aware of suspected unethical practices, modern slavery, human trafficking or serious labour violations are encouraged to report those concerns to Mad Hats Australia.
Email: sales@madhats.com.au
All reports will be treated confidentially, investigated appropriately and managed in accordance with applicable laws and company procedures. Mad Hats Australia will not tolerate retaliation against any person who raises a genuine concern in good faith.
13. Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or earlier if required due to legislative changes, changes in business operations or emerging risks within our supply chain.
Mad Hats Australia is committed to ensuring this policy remains relevant, effective and aligned with recognised ethical sourcing standards.
Mad Hats Australia Commitment
Mad Hats Australia believes that quality products should be produced responsibly, ethically and with respect for people and the environment.
We are committed to building long-term partnerships with suppliers who share our commitment to ethical business practices, respect for human rights, workplace safety, environmental responsibility and the responsible sourcing of both raw materials and finished products.
By working collaboratively with our manufacturing partners, we aim to ensure that every Mad Hats product is produced with integrity, accountability and respect throughout every stage of the supply chain—from the responsible sourcing of raw materials through manufacturing, decoration, packaging and final delivery to our customers.
Mad Hats Australia will continue to promote transparency, continuous improvement and responsible sourcing practices as part of our commitment to customers, employees, suppliers and the communities in which we operate.
