Jeanswest has become one of the first national Australian retailers to publish the entirety of its tier one supplier list to the public.

The list includes more than 30 suppliers, the vast majority of whom are based in China and have anywhere from 30 to more than 800 employees.

The denim and apparel retailer, which had previously published 80 per cent of its tier one supplier list, said the move reflects its advocacy for transparency in the manufacturing supply chain.

“I am proud to be involved in a project of this significance; one that shows our customers that Jeanswest knows exactly who we are working with, and gives assurance that our partners are operating to our required Code of Conduct,” Jesnwest’s womenswear senior product developer and CSR, Kate Davies, said.

“Publishing a detailed listing recognises the strong working relationships that we, particularly in the Jeanswest design, product and planning departments, have had for many years.”

Jeanswest received a B+ grade in last year’s Baptist World Aid (BWA)’s Ethical Fashion report, with two A+ scores in policies and knowing suppliers – although the chain scored a meagre D+ in worker empowerment.

BWA surveyed more than 106 apparel companies around the world last year and ranked them from A to F on the levels of visibility across supply chains, alongside worker rights policies and practices.

Of the 15 brands awarded an A grade or higher by BWA, only three are headquartered in Australia and are all fairtrade.

But as legislation that would force transparency on larger retailers in Australia looms, many businesses are investing in ensuring their supply chains are able to be made public.

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