Road Runner Sports, Inc.

The California transparency in Supply Chain Act of 2010

August 1, 2016

    Road Runner Sports, Inc. ("Road Runner") is a national retailer specializing in the fitting and sale of running and walking shoes, apparel, and accessories through its retail store, web site, and catalog. Our goal is to ensure that human rights are respected for all workers involved in the Road Runner supply chain. We make the following disclosure in conformance with the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act of 2010 (the "Act").

  1. Verification - Engages in verification of product supply chains to evaluate and address risks of human trafficking and slavery. The disclosure shall specify if the verification was conducted by a third party.
  2. We sell both Road Runner branded apparel and accessories, and third party branded shoes, apparel and accessories. All Road Runner branded apparel and accessories are manufactured for Road Runner either directly by a factory engaged by Road Runner, or through an agent that engages a factory on behalf of Road Runner (either are referred to as a "direct factory"). In either case, Road Runner requires that the direct factory be certified by and in full compliance with (1) the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production ("WRAP") certification program and production principles or (2) the Intertek Workplace Conditions Assessments, or (3) have received an audit result in compliance from the Business Social Compliance Initiative ("BSCI") Code of Conduct.

    Road Runner vendor guidelines require direct factories to comply with all local laws, regulations and procedures concerning the prohibition of forced labor and human trafficking, including the following:

    1. All workers have the right to enter into and to terminate their employment freely.
    2. Employers shall not bind workers to employment as a condition of fulfilling terms of a debt to a third party or employer.
    3. The direct factory is free of monetary charges for tools and uniforms.
    4. Employer does not require workers to pay a deposit as a condition of employment.
    5. Workers can keep all their original documents such as passports, identity papers, travel documents or any other personal legal documents.
    6. Employees are free to leave the work facility after work.
    7. The direct factory does not withhold any part of the worker's wages to repay recruitment fees.
    8. Workers are free to move about during the work day to use the restroom and drink water.

    Third party branded shoes, apparel and accessories are not verified directly by Road Runner. However, the Road Runner Vendor Guideline requires that all third party suppliers monitor their own source of goods in order to ensure that the direct factories of their goods has in place an effective program to address the risk of human trafficking and slavery and complies with all local laws, regulations and procedures concerning the prohibition of forced labor and human trafficking.

  3. Audits - Conducts audits of suppliers to evaluate supplier compliance with company standards for trafficking and slavery in supply chains. The disclosures shall specify if the verification was not an independent, unannounced audit.
  4. Audits conducted upon direct factories of Road Runner branded apparel and accessories conform to the standards of the WRAP certification process or the Intertek Workplace Conditions Assessments, or are compliant with the BSCI Code of Conduct. Audits under such programs are independent and announced. Road Runner does not conduct audits upon its third party suppliers of shoes, apparel and accessories.

  5. Certification - Requires direct suppliers to certify that materials incorporated into the product comply with the laws regarding slavery and human trafficking of the country or countries in which they are doing business.
  6. Road Runner's Vendor Guidelines require direct factories to certify that materials incorporated into the product comply with the laws regarding slavery and human trafficking of the country or countries in which they are doing business.

  7. Accountability - Maintains internal accountability standards and procedures for employers or contractors failing to meet company standards regarding slavery and trafficking.
  8. If and when a direct factory engaged to make Road Runner branded apparel and accessories fails to meet Road Runner's standards regarding slavery and trafficking, Road Runner will mandate a full explanation of the circumstances giving rise to such non-compliance and an action plan and timetable to remedy such non-compliance. The action plan will be required to include an audit process to ensure adherence to the plan. If Road Runner, in its sole discretion, is not satisfied with the explanation, the proposed corrective action, or the implementation of the corrective action, it will either mandate the necessary steps to remain a Road Runner direct factory, or terminate the relationship.

  9. Training - Provides company employees and management who have direct responsibility for supply chain management with training on human trafficking and slavery, particularly with respect to mitigating risks within the supply chain of products.
  10. The senior manager with direct responsibility for supply chain management receives third party training concerning human trafficking and slavery, which expertise is then imparted to senior staff and employees involved in contracting with direct factories for the manufacture of Road Runner branded apparel and accessories.

  11. Conclusion and Future Goals.
  12. Road Runner has set a baseline standard to prevent slavery and human trafficking involving its direct factories. In the future, it is Road Runner's goal to strengthen direct factory compliance and to take steps to insure third party suppliers are fully compliant with Road Runner's guidelines.