Medline and WRAP’s Impact on Responsible Production in Medical Devices

A game-changing partnership

‘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.

Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting safe, lawful, humane, and ethical manufacturing. Its 12 principles cover areas like the prohibition of forced and child labour, health and safety standards, fair compensation and working hours, freedom of association, environmental responsibility, as well as customs compliance and security. 

The Medline-WRAP partnership originated in 2016 from Medline's participation in a WRAP-led ethical sourcing practicum, which led to a formal request for WRAP to revise Medline's Supplier Code of Conduct. By 2019, Medline's surgical gloves division became the first to undergo WRAP's certification process. This resulted in a facility in Indonesia that manufactures Medline gloves becoming the first in the medical glove industry to achieve WRAP certification. 

Three years later, in 2022, the same facility achieved WRAP's platinum-level certification, which is the highest possible recognition. Today, that facility remains the only glove vendor globally with this top-tier certification. 

Meaningful impact

This pioneering partnership has had a significant impact on both Medline’s and WRAP's operations. 

‘As the first company in our sector to partner with WRAP for independent supply chain certifications, we have received comprehensive support with streamlining ethical and responsible manufacturing — a priority for us and our customers.’ Oliver Watts, Sustainability Director, Medline EMEA.

Meanwhile, as Hong Mei summarised, ‘The partnership between Medline and WRAP has helped strengthen our position as a leading social compliance certification initiative in the healthcare and personal protective equipment sector.’ WRAP was traditionally only operational in the textile and apparel industries.

By having its own facilities in France and Slovakia WRAP-certified, Medline transparently reinforces ethical sourcing practices in its operations. This commitment to the 12 WRAP principles has strengthened Medline's dedication to ensuring safe, humane, and lawful conditions for workers across its operations and supply chain. 

‘Medline, as a key player in the industry, has a long tradition of aligning with key frameworks that help us to be both a responsible and reliable partner that is not only close to its customer base but is also attuned to the values that matter most to them,’ Watts ended. 

Mei expanded on Watts’ comments noting, ‘This milestone underscores Medline’s unwavering commitment to ethical manufacturing, social responsibility, and global compliance standards.’ This commitment enhances brand reputation and builds consumer trust in the ethical sourcing of critical medical supplies.

Medline works to align its supply chain and operations with recognised best practices in the medical device sector. Its aim is to contribute to a safer and more responsible work environment for individuals across the industry. Additionally, the list of Medline products that can be produced in a WRAP-certified facility, as of July 2025, includes surgical and examination gloves, sterilisation wrap, drapes, surgical and isolation gowns, footwear and headwear.

About Medline

Medline is the largest provider of medical-surgical products and supply chain solutions serving all points of care. Through its broad product portfolio, resilient supply chain and leading clinical solutions, Medline helps healthcare providers improve their clinical, financial and operational outcomes. Headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, the company employs more than 43,000 people worldwide and operates in more than 100 countries and territories. To learn more about how Medline makes healthcare run better, visit https://www.medline.eu/.