Our Standards

Express sources its products from countries all over the world. We insist that our associates and product suppliers in our direct supply chain comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Our approved suppliers must verify in writing that they follow the EXPRESS Supplier Code of Conduct.

Human Trafficking & California Transparency in Supply Chains Act

Express is dedicated to eliminating human trafficking and forced labor on all levels of our supply chain. Express is also committed to collaborating with others to eradicate human trafficking and support the work of international agencies and organizations dedicated to this cause. 

Responsible Sourcing Practices

Express strives to maintain responsible and ethical sourcing practices and utilizes independent third-party auditors who consistently monitor our supply chain to ensure our standards are being met. Our independent third-party auditors also monitor our suppliers’ processes and procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements set forth in our code of conduct. Our commitment to responsible and ethical sourcing practices includes strict adherence to the following:

XUAR
Express prohibits its suppliers from utilizing operations or materials in or from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the production of Express goods.

Uzbek and Turkmen cotton
Express prohibits the use of any cotton from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in the production of our product. 

Wool
Express does not use any Alpaca in our products. While we do carry some products that contain wool or wool blends, our wool use is limited to non mulsed or recycled.

Sandblasting
Express does not support the practice of sandblasting during the manufacturing of our goods. This is monitored through our rigorous product development process and monitored during factory visits and audits.

Our Sourcing Policies

In our work to ensure that all of our manufacturing partners comply with our Code of Conduct, we employ independent, third-party auditors that audit our factory partners, unannounced or semi-announced, on our behalf annually. Our overall Social Responsibility and Factory Audit Programs are built around 4 foundational pillars: 

1. EXPRESS Supplier Code of Conduct 

2. Compliance with National & Local laws 

3. International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions for forced or trafficked labor and 

4. Ongoing benchmarking and analysis amongst peers and other retail industry organization participants.

In addition to our 4 foundational pillars, our factory audits have 15 different focus areas that are evaluated during each audit. These focus areas help us ensure that our factory partners continue to provide a healthy, safe working environment for all participants within the manufacturing process.

Focus Areas:

    • Transparency & Business Integrity

    • Management Systems

    • Hiring, Discipline & Termination

    • Young Worker and Child Labor

    • Forced Labor

    • Harassment or Abuse

    • Non-Discrimination

    • Freedom of Association & Grievance Mechanisms

    • Foreign Migrant Labor

    • Wages and Benefits

    • Hours of Work

    • Health & Safety

    • Environment

    • Sub-Contracting

    • Homework

Conflict Minerals

Express is committed to (1) compliance with the Conflict Minerals Rule that was adopted pursuant to Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act, and (2) avoiding the use of Conflict Minerals which may directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups engaging in human rights abuses in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Conflict Minerals means columbite-tantalite (colton), cassiterite, gold, wolframite, and the derivatives tantalum, tin, and tungsten. We also expect our suppliers to communicate with us regarding their use of Conflict Minerals, including providing complete, accurate, and timely responses to surveys and other inquiries by Express.