Sustainability and Ethics Promise 

At JulieMay, we prioritize the rights of people and the planet. We are committed to transparency in our practices and goals to continually improve, ensuring that we operate responsibly and ethically.

Supply Chain

Materials

• We use GOTS-certified Pima cotton, a lower-impact, sustainable material. While no spandex or elastane is present in the fabric itself, elastic straps made with elastane are covered with cotton to avoid direct skin contact. These straps ensure adjustability for optimal fit.
• Our Fair Trade mulberry peace silk is sourced from audited suppliers. We take all reasonable steps to ensure no unfair or child labor is used during harvesting, as required by applicable labor laws.
• Our products are tested and accredited by Allergy UK for being free of common irritants such as azo dyes and nickel, and for being low in formaldehyde. To the best of our knowledge, we use non-toxic dyes and chemicals in our production.
• By focusing on durable, long-lasting products, we minimize waste in our production processes. 

Production

• Handmade Craftsmanship: Each item is meticulously handmade by trained seamstresses, ensuring quality and durability.
• Living Wage Commitment: We ensure all workers, from seamstresses to office staff, are paid a living wage that is aligned with fair trade principles.
• Certifications:
• ISO 9001 (Quality Management): Verifies effective resource management, competence, and communication practices.
• ISO 14001 (Water Efficiency): Ensures strict regulations are followed to reduce environmental impacts, including water and energy efficiency during manufacturing.
• ISO 45001 (Workplace Health & Safety): Verifies enhanced health and safety measures for workers and compliance with applicable labor standards.
• Chemical Use & Testing: To the best of our knowledge, we do not use harsh chemicals. Our final products undergo lab testing by Allergy UK to ensure they are suitable for sensitive skin

Waste Management

• Decorative bows are made from leftover fabric to reduce waste.
• Leftover fabric is repurposed for marketing materials.
• We recently donated discontinued deadstock items to Uncommon Threads in the US and Smalls for All in the UK. We actively manage inventory to minimize deadstock.
• We do not maintain an office, reducing waste and resource use in our operations.

Water Use

• Water usage and wastewater management are monitored through annual factory audits.
• Our suppliers, certified to ISO 14001 standards, implement water conservation and wastewater management strategies.

Miles from Farm to Customer

• Proximity:
• Farm to Dyehouse/Weaving Mill: 50–75 miles
• Dyehouse to Factory: ~20 miles
• Factory to Warehouse (HK to UK): 5,975 miles
• From Warehouse to Customer: Varies per purchase, calculated based on our warehouse address.

Shipping

• We ship globally from UK and USA warehouses using Royal Mail and USPS.

Packaging

• We use paper bags and hemp strings for packaging. We plan to transition to accredited recycled paper for our packaging in the short term.
• We plan to include updated paper tags that are free of plastic film.
• We aim to improve warehouse practices to eliminate plastic bags in shipping.

JulieMays Climate Promise 

Charity Work

• Ongoing Contributions:
• Greenspark: We donate 5% of sales to plant trees, collect plastic, and support eco-projects.
• Plastic Bank Recycling: 5% of sales funds the collection of ocean-bound plastic.
• Eden Reforestation Project: Funds tree planting initiatives.

• For one time donations to other projects see here 

Biodiversity

• Partnerships: Through Greenspark, we track our contributions to biodiversity, including the number of trees planted and plastic collected. Monthly progress reports are available on our website.
• Materials: GOTS-certified organic cotton promotes biodiversity by avoiding synthetic fertilizers and harmful chemicals.
• Chemical Use: To the best of our knowledge, our natural, biodegradable fabrics are grown without harmful pesticides or fertilisers, reducing ecosystem impact.

Climate / Carbon

• Our team works remotely, minimizing energy consumption and carbon emissions typically associated with office spaces.

Energy Efficiency

• As an online business, we do not maintain an office, eliminating energy consumption associated with physical workplaces.

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Animal Welfare:

• We use mulberry peace silk sourced and certified in China, where animal welfare guidelines ensure humane production. Peace silk allows silkworms to complete their lifecycle naturally, letting moths emerge from cocoons without harm. This ethical approach aligns with our commitment to sustainability.
• We do not have any reason to test our products on animals, and our products have been certified by dermatologists in labs to ensure they are safe for sensitive skin.

 

Workforce:

This criteria focuses on direct employees (vs people in the supply chain) 

 

• We pay all employees a living wage. 
• We ensure safe working conditions to the best of our ability as we do not have an office, and our employees work from home. 
• We ensure a safe and fair working environment for all employees, most of whom work remotely.

• We have zero tolerance for child or forced labor and prioritize diversity, equal opportunity, and environmental responsibility in all operations.

• Continuous training and sustainable practices ensure ethical standards for our workforce and business.

 

Human Rights & Modern Slavery in the Supply Chain:

• We adhere to the UK Modern Slavery Act and conduct due diligence to prevent violations.
• Our Supplier Code of Conduct outlines expectations for fair treatment, non-discrimination, safe working environments, and compliance with local labor laws.
• Certified by ISO 45001 for Workplace Health and Safety and ISO 9001 for Quality Management 

Local or Small Business Sourcing/Support:

•  We work with other small businesses that provide services like marketing, design and photoshoots. We work with Claddagh Creative, a sustainable marketing agency, on a long-term basis. They are a small company based in Manchester, England. https://www.claddaghcreative.com/

 

 

Transparency & Reporting:  

Climate change policy

• We have disclosed our Climate Promise and plan to improve our emissions and traceability at every opportunity. 

Code of conduct 

• Supplier Code of Conduct: JulieMay has established a comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct that outlines expectations for ethical sourcing, human rights, and environmental responsibility. This code mandates that suppliers provide fair treatment, non-discriminatory practices, safe working environments, and adherence to labor laws, including the prohibition of child and forced labor.

Impact Reporting 

 

• We share about the charities and changes we make on social media and weave our mission into our blog posts. You can see examples here:

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7L_Dotrfem/

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_acURqOTex/

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-7mMrCIH5V/

Goals 

Short Term

• Transition to accredited recycled paper for packaging.
• Replace paper tags with plastic-free alternatives.
• Tracking of performance and improvements as a company
• Share plans, goals or commitments to reduce the impact

Long Term

• Disclosures about biodiversity/deforestation impact

• Plans, goals or commitments to reduce the impact on biodiversity and deforestation

• Tracking of performance 

• Managing or keeping biodiverse areas that then contribute to ingredient sourcing
• Incorporate plant-based dyes into future product design
• Disclosures on the use of chemicals