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Promotional Products - Responsible Sourcing - Merchandise Up

Responsible Sourcing

Have specific procurement requirements?
Tell us which certifications, policies or sourcing documents your organisation requires before we recommend products.

Better Merchandise starts with better questions

Promotional products can travel through complex supply chains involving raw materials, manufacturers, branding facilities, packaging providers and logistics partners.

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At Merchandise Up, we believe responsible sourcing begins with understanding where products come from, how they are made and whether they are appropriate for your organisation’s values, procurement requirements and intended use.

 

We work with a broad network of established suppliers and production partners across Australia and internationally. Our role is to help you navigate the available options, ask the right questions and identify products that align as closely as possible with your budget, quality expectations, sustainability priorities and responsible procurement policies.

 

Because sourcing information, documentation and certification can vary significantly between products and suppliers, responsible sourcing is considered at an individual product and order level rather than through broad claims that may not apply to every item in our range.

Our approach to responsible sourcing

We aim to make the sourcing process more transparent, practical and manageable for the organisations we work with.

 

When reviewing products and suppliers, we may consider factors such as:

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  • the location of manufacture;

  • materials and product composition;

  • recycled or renewable content;

  • expected product lifespan;

  • reusability and end-of-life options;

  • supplier policies and declarations;

  • available social-compliance audits;

  • workplace and labour standards;

  • environmental certifications;

  • packaging requirements;

  • production quantities;

  • transport distances; and

  • the availability of Australian-made or locally supplied alternatives.

 

Not every factor will apply to every product. The information available will depend on the selected item, supplier, production facility and manufacturing batch.

Ethical labour and modern slavery

We recognise the importance of protecting human rights and reducing the risk of forced labour, child labour, unsafe working conditions and other forms of exploitation within global supply chains.

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We seek to work with reputable suppliers and production partners that demonstrate an awareness of responsible labour practices and applicable workplace standards.

 

Depending on the product and supplier, supporting information may include:

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  • supplier codes of conduct;

  • ethical sourcing policies;

  • modern slavery statements;

  • social-compliance audit reports;

  • factory declarations;

  • Sedex or SMETA information;

  • amfori BSCI audit information;

  • WRAP certification;

  • SA8000 certification; or

  • other recognised social-compliance documentation.

 

The availability, scope and currency of this information vary across suppliers and factories. A policy, declaration or audit does not guarantee that no risk exists within a supply chain, but it can provide greater visibility and support more informed purchasing decisions.

 

Where ethical sourcing documentation is an important part of your procurement process, please tell us at the beginning of your enquiry.

Product-specific sourcing information

Merchandise Up offers thousands of products sourced from many different suppliers and manufacturing locations.

 

For this reason, detailed sourcing documentation can generally only be investigated and provided after suitable products have been shortlisted or selected.

 

Once we understand the specific products you are considering, we can approach the relevant suppliers to request available information about matters such as:

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  • manufacturing location;

  • factory standards;

  • social-compliance processes;

  • modern slavery policies;

  • material composition;

  • recycled content;

  • environmental certifications;

  • packaging;

  • product testing; and

  • relevant supplier declarations.

 

The type and level of documentation available will vary. Some suppliers maintain comprehensive certification and audit records, while others may provide policies or written declarations instead.

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We will communicate the available information honestly and will not represent a product as certified, ethically sourced, sustainable or compliant with a particular standard unless there is an appropriate basis for doing so.

Sustainable product choices

Sustainability is not determined by one material, label or marketing claim.

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A product described as recycled or reusable may still have environmental impacts relating to its manufacture, branding, packaging, freight and disposal. Similarly, a product made from conventional materials may provide value when it is durable, genuinely useful and retained for a long time.

 

When helping you select promotional merchandise, we encourage consideration of the product’s complete purpose and likely lifecycle.

 

This may include choosing products that are:

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  • relevant to the intended recipient;

  • practical and likely to be used;

  • durable enough for repeated use;

  • appropriately sized and ordered in realistic quantities;

  • made with recycled, renewable or lower-impact materials;

  • reusable rather than designed for immediate disposal;

  • repairable or recyclable where suitable facilities exist;

  • supplied with minimal or recyclable packaging;

  • produced locally where practical; or

  • capable of replacing a less durable alternative.

 

The most responsible product is often one that people genuinely value, use regularly and keep for an extended period.

Recycled and lower-impact materials

Our range includes products made wholly or partly from materials such as:

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  • recycled polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as rPET;

  • recycled cotton;

  • recycled polyester;

  • recycled aluminium;

  • recycled stainless steel;

  • recycled paper;

  • recycled polypropylene;

  • organic cotton;

  • bamboo;

  • cork;

  • jute;

  • wood;

  • wheat straw;

  • washable paper;

  • glass; and

  • other renewable or recycled-content materials.

 

Material descriptions can have important qualifications.

 

For example, a product promoted as recycled may contain only a percentage of recycled material, while components such as lids, trims, linings, packaging or branding may be made from different materials.

 

Natural, biodegradable and compostable are also distinct terms and should not be treated as interchangeable. Disposal outcomes may depend on local waste facilities, environmental conditions and correct separation of different components.

 

Where a particular material percentage, certification or disposal outcome is essential, please let us know so that we can investigate the selected product in greater detail.

Payment Methods

Certifications and supporting documents

Some products or suppliers may be supported by recognised environmental, material, forestry or social certifications.

 

Depending on the selected product, available documentation may include:

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  • Global Recycled Standard certification;

  • Recycled Claim Standard certification;

  • Forest Stewardship Council certification;

  • Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification;

  • Global Organic Textile Standard certification;

  • OEKO-TEX certification;

  • organic-content certification;

  • chain-of-custody documentation;

  • carbon-related certifications;

  • product safety testing;

  • social-compliance audits; or

  • supplier environmental management information.

 

Certification availability should always be confirmed for the particular product, supplier and production batch.

 

The fact that a supplier offers some certified products does not mean every product in that supplier’s range carries the same certification.

 

We recommend raising mandatory certification requirements before requesting final pricing, as they may affect product availability, minimum quantities, production location, pricing and lead times.

Australian-made and locally supplied products

Where appropriate, we can help you explore products made, grown, assembled, printed or decorated in Australia.

 

Choosing an Australian-made or locally supplied product may provide benefits such as:

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  • shorter supply chains;

  • greater production visibility;

  • support for Australian businesses and employment;

  • reduced international freight;

  • faster communication;

  • lower minimum order quantities for some products; and

  • production that operates under Australian workplace and regulatory requirements.

 

However, terms such as Australian-made, Australian-designed, locally branded and supplied by an Australian company have different meanings.

 

We aim to describe these distinctions accurately and will confirm the applicable claim for the selected product wherever possible.

 

Some products may be manufactured overseas but branded in Australia, while others may use a combination of imported and locally produced components.

Product longevity and purpose

Responsible sourcing is not only about the material used to make a product. It is also about whether the product serves a genuine purpose.

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Promotional products that are poorly matched to their audience may be discarded regardless of the material from which they are made.

 

We therefore encourage thoughtful product selection based on:

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  • who will receive the product;

  • how and where it will be used;

  • the quality required;

  • the expected lifespan;

  • whether the design is practical;

  • whether recipients are likely to value it;

  • the quantity genuinely required; and

  • how the product supports the wider campaign.

 

Our team can help you avoid unnecessary merchandise by narrowing down products based on your audience, budget, event, goals and distribution plan.

Reducing waste through better planning

Over-ordering, unsuitable products and last-minute decision-making can all contribute to unnecessary waste.

 

We help clients plan more carefully by considering:

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  • realistic distribution quantities;

  • minimum order requirements;

  • practical products that suit the recipient;

  • alternatives to size-dependent apparel;

  • versatile designs with longer relevance;

  • branding that will not date too quickly;

  • reusable products;

  • packaging requirements;

  • product quality; and

  • future repeat-order potential.

 

Where apparel is selected, we recommend reviewing sizing requirements carefully and considering samples or fitting ranges where appropriate.

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For events and campaigns, ordering early can also provide access to a wider selection of materials, production methods and sourcing options.

Packaging

Packaging requirements differ across products and suppliers.

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Some products are supplied individually packaged to protect them during production and transit, while others may be available with bulk packaging, recycled packaging, paper packaging or reduced-plastic options.

 

Where reducing packaging is important, we can ask the selected supplier about available alternatives.

 

Changes to standard packaging may affect:

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  • product protection;

  • presentation;

  • minimum quantities;

  • production time;

  • freight efficiency; and

  • cost.

 

We will help you assess these factors before confirming an alternative packaging arrangement.

Product safety and compliance

Product suitability and compliance requirements depend on how and where an item will be used.

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Certain products may require additional consideration, particularly when intended for:

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  • children;

  • food or drink contact;

  • electrical use;

  • healthcare environments;

  • personal care;

  • sport and recreation;

  • government programs; or

  • regulated workplaces.

 

Where available and relevant, we can request product testing, compliance documentation or supplier declarations for shortlisted products.

 

You are responsible for telling us before ordering if the product must meet a particular regulation, standard, procurement policy or safety requirement.

 

Product documentation should be reviewed in the context of the intended use rather than assumed to apply universally.

Working with our supply partners

Our suppliers and production partners play an important role in our responsible sourcing approach.

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We favour professional, established partners that can provide reliable product information, communicate openly and support the investigation of customer requirements.

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Where concerns are identified, we may:

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  • request clarification or additional documentation;

  • recommend another product;

  • suggest a different supplier;

  • offer an Australian-made or locally sourced alternative;

  • discuss a different material;

  • recommend additional testing; or

  • advise that we cannot verify a requested claim.

 

We believe honest limitations are more valuable than unsupported promises.

Your responsible procurement requirements

Every organisation has different priorities.

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Your responsible procurement requirements may be shaped by:

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  • internal sustainability targets;

  • modern slavery policies;

  • environmental, social and governance commitments;

  • supplier codes of conduct;

  • government procurement standards;

  • education or healthcare requirements;

  • grant conditions;

  • event sustainability plans;

  • community expectations; or

  • reporting obligations.

 

Please share these requirements with us as early as possible.

 

Clear information at the beginning of a project allows us to focus on suitable products and avoid recommending options that cannot meet your mandatory criteria.

Information we may need from you

To help us investigate responsible sourcing options, please provide:

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  • the type of product you are considering;

  • the required quantity;

  • your budget;

  • your preferred delivery date;

  • the intended recipients;

  • required materials;

  • unacceptable materials;

  • mandatory certifications;

  • required audit or policy documents;

  • preferred country of manufacture;

  • packaging requirements; and

  • any internal procurement questionnaire or supplier code.

 

Not every requirement may be achievable within every budget, timeframe or minimum order quantity. Where a requested criterion cannot be met, we will aim to explain the limitation and recommend the closest suitable alternative.

Continuous improvement

Responsible sourcing is an ongoing process rather than a single completed task.

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Products, materials, suppliers, manufacturing locations and industry standards continue to evolve. We aim to improve the information available to our customers, expand our range of considered product options and work with supply partners that support greater transparency.

 

We also recognise that no product is entirely without environmental or social impact.

 

Our goal is to help you make better-informed choices, identify meaningful improvements and select promotional products that are useful, appropriate and aligned with your organisation’s priorities.

Important information about sourcing claims

Responsible sourcing and sustainability information is based on documentation and representations supplied by manufacturers, suppliers, certification bodies and other production partners.

 

Unless expressly confirmed in writing for the selected product:

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  • claims do not apply to every item in our range;

  • certification may apply only to particular materials or components;

  • packaging and branding may have different attributes from the main product;

  • manufacturing locations may change;

  • product specifications may vary between batches;

  • disposal outcomes depend on available facilities and local conditions; and

  • supplier policies do not constitute a guarantee that no supply-chain risk exists.

 

Please tell us before ordering if a particular claim, certification or manufacturing location is essential to your purchasing decision.

Start a responsible merchandise conversation

Whether you are looking for recycled materials, Australian-made products, reduced packaging, ethical sourcing information or modern slavery documentation, our team is here to help you explore the available options.

 

Tell us about your project, priorities, quantity, budget and deadline. Once suitable products have been shortlisted, we can investigate the sourcing information and supporting documentation available for those specific items.

 

Contact us to discuss responsible promotional products for your next campaign, event or organisation.

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