Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025
1. Introduction and Commitment
Global Fashion Directory LLC (“GFD,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and human rights in all areas of our operations. Although GFD operates solely as a digital platform and does not manufacture goods, we recognize our role in promoting ethical practices within the broader fashion, sourcing, and supply chain industries.
GFD maintains a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labor, and child labor. We are committed to ensuring that no such practices exist within our operations, platform activities, or among our Users, Members, contractors, or service providers.
This Statement supplements GFD’s Forced and Child Labor Compliance Policy and reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and alignment with global best practices.
This Statement is reviewed and approved annually by GFD’s executive leadership team.
2. Scope
This Statement applies to GFD’s internal operations, external relationships, digital platform activities, and our direct and indirect partnerships with Users, Members, suppliers, consultants, and service providers worldwide.
While GFD does not directly control the supply chains of Members listed on the platform, all participating Users and Members are required to comply with GFD’s ethical standards, including our Forced and Child Labor Policy.
GFD encourages all Users and Members to maintain visibility over their own supply chains, including subcontractors, manufacturers, and key material providers, in alignment with internationally recognized labor rights standards.
3. Business Context
Global Fashion Directory LLC (GFD) operates a digital business-to-business (B2B) platform designed to connect businesses within the global fashion ecosystem. We facilitate professional connections and business growth but do not produce, manufacture, or distribute physical goods.
Nonetheless, we recognize the potential for human rights risks inherent in global supply chains. As such, we expect all Users, Members, and platform participants to adhere to internationally recognized labor and human rights standards, including prohibitions on forced labor, child labor, and human trafficking.
4. Relevant Standards and Frameworks
GFD maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of modern slavery, forced labor, and child labor. We are committed to ensuring that such abuses have no place within our operations, digital platform activities, or Member community.
We promote awareness, education, and alignment with internationally recognized labor rights standards across the industries we serve. GFD expects all Users, Members, and platform participants to uphold these same principles within their respective businesses, supply chains, and partnerships.
In support of this commitment, GFD aligns its practices with the following human rights instruments and legislative frameworks:
- The United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) Fundamental Conventions
- The California Transparency in Supply Chains Act (2010)
- The United Kingdom Modern Slavery Act (2015)
- The Australia Modern Slavery Act (2018)
5. Our Ethical Policies and Due Diligence
GFD’s commitment to combatting modern slavery is reflected across several internal platform policies, including:
- Terms of Service
- Privacy Policy
- Code of Conduct Policy
- Forced and Child Labor Policy
GFD implements the following due diligence measures to promote responsible business practices across our platform:
- Verification: All Members must certify compliance with ethical labor standards during onboarding and through annual renewal processes.
- Platform Monitoring: GFD monitors Member activities on an ongoing basis through community reporting, investigations, and potential audit triggers.
- Supplier Responsibility: GFD expects all service providers, consultants, and contractors engaged by GFD to uphold anti-slavery and human rights standards.
- Supply Chain Visibility: While GFD does not directly manage Member supply chains, we encourage all Members to maintain visibility over their subcontractors, manufacturers, and key material providers.
- Risk Assessment: Members engaging in global sourcing are encouraged to conduct internal risk assessments, prioritizing sectors or regions with heightened risks of labor abuses.
- Corrective Actions: Where ethical non-compliance is identified, GFD may offer Members the opportunity to implement corrective actions, provided there is full cooperation and timely remediation.
- Member Education and Resources: While GFD does not engage in manufacturing or sourcing activities itself, we remain committed to supporting Member education on responsible business practices. GFD curates and provides access to global labor rights materials, ethical sourcing checklists, policy templates, and practical toolkits to help Members strengthen compliance and awareness within their own supply chains. These materials include resources from trusted organizations such as the United Nations Global Compact, International Labour Organization, and Walk Free Foundation, as well as GFD-authored guides on topics such as vetting suppliers and understanding modern slavery risks. All educational content is publicly available through our Legal Hub, and will be further integrated into our Resource Center to promote ongoing learning across the GFD platform.
GFD maintains a zero-tolerance stance against forced labor, human trafficking, the unlawful retention of worker identification documents, the payment of recruitment fees by workers, and child labor in all forms.
6. Reporting Mechanisms
GFD encourages Users, Members, employees, and partners to report any concerns related to forced labor, human trafficking, modern slavery, or other unethical labor practices.
Reports can be submitted confidentially by email to: info@globalfashiondirectory.com
GFD treats all reports with discretion and confidentiality. Retaliation against individuals who report concerns in good faith is strictly prohibited. GFD will promptly investigate all credible allegations, take appropriate corrective actions, and cooperate with relevant authorities when necessary.
Third-Party Guidance: While GFD does not operate its own supply chain, we encourage Members to implement or utilize third-party grievance systems and hotline services within their respective businesses and partnerships. GFD may also provide curated resources and reference links to promote safe reporting and worker protections across Member networks.
7. Governance and Accountability
GFD’s leadership team is responsible for overseeing and reviewing our anti-slavery and human rights commitments. Policies and procedures are reviewed annually and updated as needed to address emerging risks, evolving legal requirements, and global best practices.
Accountability for compliance with this Statement and related policies lies at the highest levels of GFD’s executive management team.
8. Continuous Improvement and Transparency
GFD is committed to continuously improving its practices to combat modern slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking. We recognize that eliminating human rights abuses requires ongoing vigilance, collaboration, and adaptation.
GFD’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement is updated and reviewed each fiscal year and made available through our Legal Hub and Resource Center to promote transparency and accountability.
Measuring Engagement: GFD may track aggregate engagement with our ethical sourcing resources, such as page views or downloads of key templates and tools, to better understand Member needs and improve future offerings. We may also invite feedback to assess relevance and usability.
Planned Enhancements: As the platform evolves, GFD may introduce additional features to support ethical business practices, such as Member-facing sourcing checklists, voluntary verification badges, or shared learning modules. These tools will remain optional but are intended to encourage transparency and responsible growth across the GFD community.
Badge Verification: GFD offers editorial recognition badges such as “Top Rated Partner” and “Leading the Change” to highlight outstanding Members on the platform. Badge recipients may be subject to random or targeted verification audits to maintain the credibility and ethical standards associated with these recognitions. Verification activities may include the review of business practices related to labor rights, supply chain transparency, and ethical sourcing. Verified violations may result in removal of the badge or other corrective actions at GFD’s discretion. Recognition badges are editorial designations and do not constitute formal accreditation or third-party certification unless otherwise explicitly stated. For further details, please refer to our Guarantee and Verification Policy.
GFD is committed to advancing ethical sourcing, transparency, and responsible business practices across the fashion supply chain. Our platform supports better labor standards by providing verifiable data and trustworthy sourcing tools to help businesses avoid risky or exploitative production environments.
9. Approval and Availability
This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for Fiscal Year 2025 is made pursuant to the United Kingdom Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018, the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, and other applicable regulations.
It is available for public access through the GFD Legal Hub.
Elena Vasilescu, Chief Executive Officer
Global Fashion Directory LLC
Approved on December 31, 2024