Responsible fabric sourcing policy

Rat & Boa (R&B) is committed to responsible and sustainable business principles and practices including responsible sourcing. R&B upholds such principles and practices throughout its own business and its supply chains, and works with its suppliers to promote its sustainability values.


Some of the below information is included in our Supplier Code of Conduct (COC) which provides standards to our suppliers that they are required to follow to ensure R&B does not knowingly use any materials in its products which are under any threat of extinction, or are endangered, or may inflict any harm to animal welfare or livelihoods, or have a negative impact on biodiversity, conservation or the environment.


In acknowledgement of some specific industry challenges that may cause risks to workers in the supply chain or have a negative impact on the environment, R&B has developed this Responsible Sourcing Policy which has been communicated to our suppliers in the COC and includes but is not limited to:

  • a ban on the use of real fur including but not limited to Asiatic racoon, fox, mink, rabbit as well as Astrakhan/Karakul and angora.
  • a ban on the use of exotic skins such as python and alligator.
  • a commitment on sourcing certified wool only with a priority on certifications-supported recycled wool that upholds the highest animal welfare standards and prohibits the practice of mulesing.
  • a ban on sourcing cotton fibre and textiles from Syria, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
  • a commitment to reduce the use of silk and prioritise using silk from organic and fair trade sources.
  • a commitment to protect endangered species’ habitats, ancient forests, endangered forests and areas known for illegal logging through the responsible sourcing of man-made cellulose fibres e.g. viscose.

In addition to meeting all applicable legal standards, R&B requires its suppliers to follow a set of principles in relation to their practices and their suppliers’ practices which include the following:

  • Continuous improvement in line with industry leading standards.
  • Traceability.
  • Protecting livelihoods and upholding human and labour rights.
  • Upholding animal welfare.
  • Respecting biodiversity; and
  • Respecting the environment and reducing environmental impact.

Our Responsible Sourcing Policy requires the sourcing of all raw materials from suppliers to be governed by the highest animal welfare and environmental standards. R&B actively seeks collaboration and learning opportunities to deepen our understanding of species-specific best practice. We will never knowingly source raw materials if there have been any concerns over animal welfare or environmental damage.


Written April 2022.


Responsible Sourcing Materials.

Man-made cellulosic fibre

R&B aims to reach full traceability on all man-made cellulosic fibres by the end of 2023.

R&B requires our supply chain partners to eliminate all sourcing from man-made cellulosic fibre producers which present a high level of risk of sourcing from ancient and endangered forests. By the end of 2024, 100% of R&B’s man made cellulosic fibres will be sourced from low-risk suppliers.

R&B gives preference to FSC certified man-made cellulosic fibre. For fibre from wood originating from countries with tropical rainforest or ancient and/or endangered forests, we require the fibre to be FSC Chain of Custody certified.

By the end of 2025, all R&B man-made cellulosic fibre will be sourced from either;

  1. recycled sources.
  2. agricultural residues, tracked and traced or;
  3. from FSC certified forests.

R&B will prioritise the use of recycled fibres or fibres from agricultural waste.

By the end of 2025, R&B will only use viscose and other MMC producers found to have good environmental practices such as ‘closed-loop’ processing of water and chemicals aligned with the roadmap towards responsible viscose and modal fibre manufacturing.


1. Meaning producers indicating low risk of sourcing from ancient and endangered forests in the CanopyStyle Audits and/or have attained a green shirt in the Hot Button Report. Lso using verified sources such as Lenzing we have a responsible source.

2. Recycled content certified to a recycled standard (e.g. Global Recycled Standard or Recycled Claim Standard)