Ethical & Sustainability Policies

At Khalsa Schoolwear, we believe every pupil deserves the best possible start to their school life. Access to appropriate, comfortable school uniform should be available to all, regardless of gender identity, race, religion or belief, disability, body shape or household income. We work closely with the schools we serve to ensure our garments are inclusive, accessible and designed to support every student.

We are proud to supply garments from trusted British schoolwear brands chosen for their quality, durability and responsible manufacturing standards. These products are made to last, helping families reduce waste and extend the life of each item through reuse and sharing within school communities.

Our values are rooted in fairness, inclusivity and responsibility. We continue to review our practices, improve our materials and collaborate with partners who share our commitment to a more ethical, inclusive and environmentally conscious future.

In a world of limited resources and increasing environmental challenges, we remain committed to minimising our environmental impact. School uniform designs typically remain consistent from year to year, allowing us to focus on durability and longevity. This helps families get better value while reducing the demand for short-life garments.

We actively promote ranges made from recycled materials and continue to expand these collections annually. Our partnership with Uniformerly, a platform for buying, selling and donating pre-loved school uniform, supports circular fashion, reduces landfill waste and strengthens community connections.

Key environmental initiatives include:

• All retail and warehouse sites use energy-efficient LED lighting.
• We use only 100% recycled paper and have reduced overall paper consumption by more than 35% through digital tools and smarter formatting.
• 70% of our online packaging is made from reclaimed materials and is fully recyclable.
• We have reduced packaging by more than 50%, with a target of reaching 75% within two years.
• Our courier partner, DPD, provides a fully carbon-neutral delivery service, helping us maintain high environmental standards throughout our supply chain.

We are proud of our continued progress towards becoming a carbon-conscious business and remain committed to promoting long-lasting, sustainable schoolwear.

We believe the schoolwear industry must lead by example in ethical responsibility. Our commitment extends across our entire supply chain, ensuring that every individual involved in manufacturing and distribution is treated fairly, respectfully and safely.

We only work with suppliers who meet the highest standards of ethical compliance. All partners must follow national labour laws or the standards set by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), whichever offers the greater level of protection.

We require all suppliers to uphold the following principles:

• No child labour.
• Employment is freely chosen.
• All staff may join trade unions.
• Freedom of association and collective bargaining are respected.
• Working conditions are safe and hygienic.
• Working hours are reasonable.
• Wages are fair and in line with local or industry norms.
• Good environmental stewardship is practiced.
• No discrimination.No harsh or inhumane treatment.

Most of our suppliers are registered with SEDEX and undergo regular independent audits to ensure these standards are upheld. Garments are test checked upon arrival in the UK, and annual quality reviews ensure ongoing safety, consistency and durability.

We also ensure all products comply with the relevant safety standards, including:

• Mechanical Safety of Children’s Wear
• Safety of Children’s Clothing – Cords and Drawstrings
• General Product Safety Regulations
• Flammability Standards