What WRAP is
WRAP stands for Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production. It is a non profit programme that certifies sewn products factories against a set of principles covering lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing. Many brands and retailers ask their suppliers for WRAP or an equivalent programme as part of their sourcing requirements.
What it covers
The WRAP principles address the workplace rather than the product. They cover areas such as compliance with local laws, forced and child labour, harassment and abuse, wages and working hours, discrimination, health and safety, freedom of association, environmental practice and customs compliance. A factory is assessed against these and corrective actions are recorded where gaps are found.
Factory level, not product level
WRAP certifies a factory. It says nothing about the fabric, dyes or chemicals in a garment, which is the job of product certifications such as OEKO-TEX. A buyer who needs both should ask for both, and ask which exact facility each certificate covers.
Levels and validity
Certificates are issued at different levels, and the level reflects how consistently the factory met the principles. Each certificate is valid for a limited period and must be renewed through a new audit, so the date matters as much as the level. Check the current programme rules for the exact levels and periods.
How to check a certificate
Do not rely on a logo alone. A reliable claim comes with a certificate number, the facility name and address, the level and the dates. Verify these with the programme directly, and confirm that the facility named is the one that will make your order.
- Ask for the certificate number, facility and expiry date.
- Verify the certificate with WRAP, not only on the supplier's website.
- Check that the certificate covers the facility that will produce your order.
- Be wary of any logo shown without a number behind it.
WRAP and other programmes
WRAP sits alongside other social compliance programmes such as Sedex based audits and amfori BSCI, and many buyers accept more than one. Which one you require depends on your retail customers and your own policy. Our guide to factory certificates compares them and explains which are factory level and which are product level.
