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Sourcing and supply chain

Supply chains are complicated. To make responsible sourcing decisions, we have a team of people who work together to figure out if a factory is right for the MEC Label. The team looks at whether a factory can meet technical product requirements, quality standards, financial requirements, and transparency and performance around the MEC Supplier Code of Conduct.

Since MEC is a retailer, we don’t just sell MEC Label products. We also carry other brands for members to buy. As a condition to doing business with MEC, we require all vendors and suppliers to follow our Code of Conduct.

Responsible sourcing policy at MEC

MEC’s responsible sourcing policy covers MEC Label products and products from other brands we sell. This policy is approved by the CEO and was last updated in 2024.

Responsible sourcing sets up MEC to operate according to our values, and also makes sure we manage risks, do not break any laws, and have good relationships with other businesses and suppliers. We want to improve the lives of workers making products and reduce the environmental impact from MEC Label items. When and where we can influence other brands to do the same, we collaborate and share best practices.

How we make it all happen

The MEC team is made up of people who create MEC Label gear and clothing, including design, development, sourcing, testing and quality control, and social and environmental impact. When we onboard new factories, we make sure the factories commit to our Code of Conduct and regular audits, so that we can make sure that they’re upholding our standards.

To spread the impact of what we can do as a retailer, the team shares tools and learnings with our merchants, who decide what other brands and products MEC sells as a retailer.