Medline is both a manufacturer and distributor, offering numerous products to our customers in Europe. Our global manufacturing and supply chain operations comprise Medline-owned assembly and manufacturing facilities, as well as third-party manufacturing subcontractors and direct suppliers.
Medline is committed to sourcing products from ethical and socially responsible factories around the world.
Medline has a multi-faceted ethical sourcing programme, based on the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on Business and Human Rights. We emphasise a risk-based approach to allow us to identify and act on the most important labour and human rights risks in our supply chain.
Elements of our ethical sourcing programme include Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certification audits, the Medline Supplier Code of Conduct and external reporting through our annual Modern Slavery Statement.
WRAP Certification
Medline and WRAP have an ongoing partnership to promote strong ethical sourcing practices in our supply chain. Suppliers of Medline Brand products, such as protective apparel and medical textiles, are being targeted for WRAP certification. Our customers can be confident that products manufactured in WRAP-certified facilities adhere to fundamental principles for labour and human rights.
What is WRAP?
WRAP is the only independent global organisation dedicated to advancing safe, lawful, humane and ethical practices in the apparel industry. It benefits workers, manufacturers, buyers and consumers through socially responsible supply chains worldwide.
WRAP’s training and certification programme affirms that a production unit abides by local laws and internationally recognised standards and conventions, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The WRAP logo is widely recognised, and WRAP’s certification programme is regularly updated to ensure it adapts to the evolving social compliance landscape.
Learn more about WRAP here.
Supplier Code of Conduct
Medline’s Supplier Code of Conduct sets out the minimum standards that Medline expects its suppliers to adhere to regarding wages and benefits, worker health and safety, and working hours. It also explicitly prohibits slavery, involuntary labour and child labour.
UK Modern Slavery Act 2015
Medline is aware that slavery, forced labour and human trafficking are critical human rights issues. We monitor our own internal operations, as well as those of our suppliers to prevent and address such abuses of workers’ human rights.
Medline and WRAP’s Impact on Responsible Production in Medical Devices
‘Medline, a trusted name in healthcare, with a global presence, is the first company in the medical devices industry to be recognised by WRAP’s Certification Programme.’ Hong Mei, Associate VP, Programme Integrity, WRAP.