Import Vendor Compliance Manual Footwear

Transcription

1 Import Vendor Compliance Manual Footwear Product Testing, Branding, & Related Requirements by Footwear Category The goal of enforcing the following requirements is to ensure we are providing our customers with high quality products that meet or exceed established performance, reliability standards, and regulations. We expect all of our suppliers to partner with us in this regard. If you notice any errors, omissions, out of date information, or similar issues with the information that follows, please notify us immediately. Table of Contents Page Business Relationship 2 Product 2 Footwear Testing 2 Purchase Order 3 Ban of Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) 3 Fur Labeling Law 3 Packaging 3 Content Label 4 California Proposition 65 5 Waterproof Guidelines & Testing 5 CONEG 5 Quality Guidelines for All Softlines 6 Footwear Chargeback Guidelines 6 Shipment Document Requirements 6 Guide Gear & HQ Issue Labeling Placement 8 (Shoes and Boots) Guide Gear & HQ Issue Supplier 10 Branding / Vendor Supplied 12 Vendor Supplied Accessories Example Images 13 1 of 21

2 Business Relationship Prior to any purchase order transaction with The Sportsman s Guide, the nature of the business relationship between our two companies must be defined and approved. If you have not already done so, please complete and submit one of the agent or trading company agreements that can be found on our import procedure webpage: If the available agreements are not applicable, the business relationship must be defined with the Buyer or Import Specialist before a purchase order transaction can be completed. Product Vendors must submit a completed Sportsman s Guide quote form and provide a product sample when requested. Product Modifications - Requested changes to an original sample provided to The Sportsman s Guide by the vendor, requested changes to an original sample supplied by The Sportsman s Guide to the vendor, or changes to specifications provided on initial quote form. Samples - Whenever modifications have been requested that will change the outward appearance of the product, an additional photography sample may be required that reflects these changes. A final approval sample, that exactly matches the agreed upon product specifications, is required. This final sample can also double as the photography sample. Once a product is approved and a purchase order is issued, the vendor agrees that no change of manufacturer(s), or material change to the product will occur without the prior knowledge and consent of The Sportsman s Guide. A material change is defined as any change in the product s design, manufacturing process, or sourcing of component parts, that a manufacturer using due care knows, or should know, could affect the product s ability to comply with applicable rules, bans, standards, or regulations. Footwear Testing Footwear Testing Protocol has been created in partnership with Intertek Testing Agency. All testing should be concluded prior to production so issues are identified during testing that require modifications to production. Satisfactory testing results should be provided to The Sportsman s Guide as early as possible, but no later than 30 days prior to the ship date on our purchase order. If any of the tests result in a failing score, the Sportsman s Guide reserves the right to cancel or refuse the product. All footwear testing costs are to be paid by the vendor. Please visit Intertek website to see view the required testing protocol. Site Address: Log-in: LT\sportsman Password: Pass0943 Protocol: SMG US The Sportsman s Guide requires all footwear to meet the standardized testing protocol. For footwear regarding Waders and Hip Boots it is the vendors responsibility to test internally for leaks. This means each piece must be submerged in a tank full of water with a minimum of 6 PSI inside each item to check for air bubbles and leaks. Please note, we will not require test results, but all vendors will be held accountable for any and all quality issues. 2 of 21

3 Purchase Order Every purchase order will be sent with an accompanying confirmation form. Please review all details of the purchase order, and return the accompanying confirmation form within two business days (must indicate port city, or cities for multiple PO s). NOTE: In most instances individual PO s should not include items shipping from more than one factory or port. If you receive a PO with multiple items that need to ship from different factories or ports, please contact the buyer or IS for confirmation this is acceptable. Ban of Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) All products and packaging supplied to The Sportsman s Guide must be non-toxic and nonirritating under normal conditions of use. DMF (Dimethyl Fumarate) fungicide, used in some footwear and leather products to prevent mold and mildew, is suspected to have caused serious allergic reactions and skin irritations to some individuals. Therefore, all products supplied to The Sportsman s Guide MUST be DMF (Dimethyl Fumarate) fungicide free. This includes DMF used in desiccant packets and/or DMF used during the tanning process of leather. The Sportsman s Guide recommends the following options: 1. Using Suppliers who offer DMF Free Desiccant Packets (option: 2. Use an alternative to a desiccant packet such as an anti-mold sticker (Micro-Pack Sticker - or Wasaouro strips ( Fur Labeling Law All products made wholly or in part of fur, regardless of the price of the product or the amount of fur on the garment, must have a tag or label attached clearly displaying the following information: 1. The name or names of the animal or animals that produced the fur, as listed in the Products Name Guide of the Federal Trade Commission s Fur Products Labeling Act. 2. The name of the country of origin of any of the imported furs used in the garment. This labeling can be accomplished by one of the following: A permanent or temporary tag attached to the wearing apparel By attaching a sticker to the garment in a clearly visibly place. Also per New York state laws, all faux fur products must also have a tag or label attached stating the item is made of Faux Fur so the consumer can make an informed decision if the item is real fur or faux fur. Packaging All packaging must conform to the requirements specified in our Import Carton Packaging and Marking Requirements (available at All poly bags and boxes used must be pre-printed with the Guide Gear Logo. Any deviation from these requirements must be approved by the buyer prior to a purchase order being issued. 3 of 21

4 Content Label All footwear products must have a label identifying the following: Guide Gear/HQ Logo, Item #, Description, Size Marker, Material Makeup, Country of Origin, and any other certification. If the shoe has a tongue, the content label must be placed on the inside of the tongue. If the shoe has no tongue, please contact buyer to confirm placement. Size: 4cm (W) x 3cm (H). Size may vary depending on material content verbiage Must be a woven label, seal label, or stamp Color: white background with black text Placement: On the inside of the tongue or inside of the inside of shoe or boot, please center label and place ¾ down from the top Buyer must approve location BELOW IS EXAMPLE FORMAT ONLY ** ALL LABELS MUST BE APPROVED BY BUYER** Guide Gear/ HQ Logo Guide Gear/HQ Logo must be listed. Please reference diagram logos on page 14 of manual for more details. Item # Item# must be listed. Please match to the six digit item# listed on the purchase order and as listed on the UPC. Description Description must be listed. Please match to the description listed on the purchase order and as listed on the UPC. Please make sure to provide detailed descriptions such as waterproof, gram weight, etc. Size Marker All sizes must be listed on the content label. All sizes listed on the label must be in US footwear sizes (on some footwear such as slippers, Buyer may specify using S, M, & L rather than numerical sizes). Please also identify if the shoe has a specialized width. Material Makeup Please list a brief description of the material make-up with the material of majority stated first. Example: Genuine Leather Upper / Man-made Materials. If any brand name is used, it must be stated. For instance, Teflon, Thinsulate (gram weight must be listed), etc. A certificate of authenticity must be provided when samples are submitted. 4 of 21

5 All words must be in English. No abbreviations can be used. Country of Origin The Country of Origin must be stated. Certification If the shoe has been certified with a specialty, please include the certification number. For example a steel toe boot should be listed as so including the impact and compression ASTMF M/75C/75. California Proposition 65 All products must comply with California Proposition 65 regulations. It is the vendor s responsibility to review all products against California Proposition 65 requirements to determine that all testing and labeling requirements have been met and have the item tested through a third party testing lab using the Intertek protocol. No person in the course of doing business shall knowingly and intentionally expose any individual to a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity without a clear and visible warning. OEHHA has established safe harbor levels (levels of exposure that trigger the warning requirement) for some, but not all, listed chemicals. When applicable the consumer product must carry a warning label that must comply with Title 22, Article 6 of the Regulation, Clear, and Reasonable Warnings. If there is no safe harbor level for a chemical, businesses that knowingly expose individuals to that chemical would generally be required to provide a Proposition 65 warning, unless the business could show that risks of cancer or reproductive harm resulting from the exposure would be below levels specified in Proposition 65 and its accompanying regulations. It is the vendor s responsibility to comply with all California Proposition 65 requirements, and if you fail to do, Sportsman s Guide shall be entitled to cancel/return the order(s), withhold payment, and/or charge us with all damages, losses, penalties, and attorney fees in connection to any such failure. For general information on the Proposition 65, please visit: Water Proof Guidelines & Requirements Waterproof Requirement: Shoe height is 7 or less= No water penetration after 15,000 flexes Shoe height is above 7 = No water penetration after 20,000 flexes Please add waterproof hangtag if item fits under this criteria Guide Dry Hangtag: no water penetration after 30,000 cycles Please add Guide Dry Hangtag #SPG-B which can be ordered through our nominated supplier CONEG The Toxics in Packaging Legislation The goal of this legislation is to reduce the sum concentration levels of four incidentally introduced heavy metals, namely lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium present in any package or packaging component to not exceed 100 parts per million by weight. It is important to note that the 100 ppm limit applies to the combined weight of all of the above 5 of 21

6 metals and NOT individually. It defines a package as any container, produced either domestically or in a foreign country, providing a means of marketing, protecting or handling a product and shall include a unit package, an intermediate package or a shipping container this includes unsealed receptacles as carrying cases, crates, cups, pails, rigid foil and other trays, wrappers and wrapping films, bags, and tubs. It defines a packaging component as any individual assembled part of a package which is produced either domestically or in a foreign country, such as but not limited to, any interior or exterior blocking, bracing, cushioning, weatherproofing, exterior strapping, coatings, closures, inks, and labels. Under the Model Legislations, manufacturers and suppliers of packaging and packaging components must submit a Certificate of Compliance stating that the package is in compliance with the requirements of the law to the purchaser of these items. The certificate must be: 1. Based on verifiable evidence that no intentional addition of the four metals have occurred. 2. Signed by an authorized official of the manufacturing or supplying company. 3. Must be kept on file for as long as the packaging is in use. 4. Must contain any relevant amendments or modifications reflecting any reformulations to the packaging or packaging component. 5. Must be available to any member of the public who requests the certificate. All vendors must be able to provide a Certificate of Compliance upon request. Please work with your suppliers to confirm you are in compliance. Quality Guidelines for All Softlines The Sportsman s Guide chooses to partner with vendors who share our commitment to providing our customers with the highest level of quality at unsurpassed value. Please reference our weblink available at to review our quality assurance requirements and standards for your specific items. Footwear Chargeback Guidelines The Sportsman s Guide conducts audits on all products that carry the Guide Gear, HQ or Castle Creek brand names. Please see below guidelines for TSG softline inspection regulation: An initial AQL 4.0 inspection will be conducted internally at no additional fee. Failure of the initial AQL 4.0 will result in AQL 2.5 inspection. This will be held at the vendor s expense at a rate of $40 per hour per person. Rejection at AQL 2.5 will result in 100% inspection at vendor s expense at a rate of $40 per hour per person. TSG will keep any merchandise that passes inspection and reject any merchandise with full guarantee of reimbursement. The Vendor may also be charged for lost sales from any catalog, or web site exposure that could not be removed. The Vendor will be informed immediately after the shipment fails the AQL 4.0 audit. 6 of 21

7 Shipment Document Requirements It is the responsibility of the vendor to include accurate and complete shipment documents to both our freight forwarder and The Sportsman s Guide. All shipment documents must follow our requirements specified in our Payment, Shipping, & Document Requirements Procedures (available at Please note the vendor must breakdown all footwear products shipped by the item, style, color, size, and carton. Any discrepancy on the shipment documents may result in a chargeback. We require all shipments be booked 2 weeks prior to vessel sailing date. Please note, the ship date on purchase order is the vessel sailing date, not cargo ready date. 7 of 21

8 Guide Gear & HQ Issue Boots and Shoes Required Labels & Placement 1. Hangtag: SPG-A or HQ-A (vendor must purchase from Sportsman s Guide required supplier) as applicable below Please attach through the 1 st eyelet down from the top of the tongue using a plastic swift loop on the outer side of the right shoe. Please attach through an assessable eyelet or loop using a plastic swift loop on the outer side of the right shoe. If there is a D-ring (Waders), please attach using a plastic swift loop on the wearer s right. If there is no D-ring (Waders), please attach through an assessable eyelet or loop using a plastic swift loop on the wearer s right. 2. Contents Label (vendor needs to create through their suppliers) Please see instructions on page 4 of manual Buyer must approve format/placement of all content labels 3. Guide Gear or HQ Issue Logo Tongue, Gusset or Upper Side Panel (vendor needs to create through their suppliers) Buyer must approve location and image If the Buyer selects the tongue, please center the Logo on the top of the tongue ½ to 3/4 from top Buyer to approve If the Buyer selects the upper side panel position, please center the Logo on the upper side panel of the wearer s outer side of both the left and right shoe. If the Buyer selects the gusset, please print Logo on the gusset or strap across gusset. The buyer must approve the image. 4. Guide Gear or HQ Issue Text in our Correct Font on Foot bed / Sock liner Buyer must approve Foot bed (vendor needs to create through their suppliers) On the foot bed, 1 from the edge of the heel please print Logo. The buyer must approve the image. 5. Waterproof Marking - if applicable (vendor needs to create through their suppliers) Label must state Waterproof or Guide Dry based on specifications. It can be made in either metal, woven material, or in rubber. Vendor must place on the wearer s outer side of both the left and right shoe in the top upper panel. Image & side placement must be approved by the buyer. 6. Waterproof Hangtag - if applicable (vendor needs to create through their suppliers) Must be on all items with no water penetration after 20,000 cycles Vendor must have a waterproof hangtag on the product. Image and text must be approved by the buyer. Along with the hangtag SPG-A/ HQ-A, please attach through the 1 st eyelet down from the top of the tongue using a plastic swift loop on the outer side of the right shoe. 7. Guide Dry Hangtag #SPG-BW - if applicable (vendor needs to purchase through our nominated supplier) Must be on all items with no water penetration after 30,000 cycles Vendor must have a Guide Dry hangtag on the product. 8 of 21

9 Along with the hangtag SPG-A/HQ-A, please attach through the 1 st eyelet down from the top of the tongue using a plastic swift loop on the outer side of the right shoe. 8. Packaging (vendor needs to purchase through their suppliers) Standard packaging requirements will be found in the Import Carton Packaging and Marking Requirements (available at The Buyer or Import Specialist must approve any deviation from these requirements prior to a purchase order being issued. 9. Thinsulate - if applicable (vendor needs to purchase through their suppliers) If product is insulated, please purchase a Thinsulate woven label from the Thinsulate supplier. Please center the Thinsulate label on the outside of the tongue ¼ below the label If product is insulated, please purchase a Thinsulate hangtag matching the Thinsulate gram weight. (The gram weight listed on the hangtag must match the gram weight used on the boot. If there is not a hangtag being sold for the gram weight used on the boot, the vendor may use the Extreme Performance Thinsulate hangtag.) Along with the other hangtags, please attach through the 1 st eyelet down from the top of the tongue using a plastic swift loop on the outer side of the right shoe. 10. Licensed Camo if applicable (vendor needs to purchase through their suppliers) If product is using a licensed Camo, the vendor must purchase a hangtag from the Camo supplier. Along with the other hangtags, please attach through the 1 st eyelet down from the top of the tongue using a plastic swift loop on the outer side of the right shoe. *When applicable, vendor must place the Guide Gear Logo in the correct font on the outsole.* **Please note the Buyer may request changes to the above requirements.** 9 of 21

10 Trim Supplier The following woven branding elements must be purchased through our nominated supplier. Independently sourced branding elements are unacceptable, and if used, will result in a chargeback against the vendor. The Sportsman s Guide requires one sample to review of each branding element prior to production to confirm the vendor is using our source and that the sample is acceptable. It is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure all materials bearing our brand/logo are safeguarded against misuse. Guide Gear & HQ ISSUE Required Woven & Hangtag Label Supplier Contact, Images, & Prices No MOQ Lead Time= 2 weeks COMBINE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL LTD Name Fred Lam Address Room 6, 9/F, Block A, Wah Tat Industrial Centre, 8-10 Wah Sing Street, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong Phone Fax fredlam@cpil-hk.com Website Item Name Item Code Price Per Piece Image GG Hangtag SPG-A $ GG Main Loop Label $ GG Mitre Fold Label $ of 21

11 GG Large Label $ GG Outerwear Label $ GG Heat Seal Label $ GG Leather Hangtag SPG-D $ GG Rubber Label SPG-RUB2 $ Guide Dry Rubber Label SPG-GDRYRUB $ Guide Dry Hangtag SPG-BW $ HQ Hangtag HQ-A $ HQ Large Label $ HQ Main Loop Label $ of 21

12 Branding The Sportsman s Guide maintains three trademarked private label brands. On Packaging If you are asked to supply a private label product, you may be required to include one our logos on the product packaging. Instructions for including logos on packaging can be found in our Import Carton Packaging and Marking Requirements (available at Examples of all packaging materials bearing our logo must be approved by the Import Specialist prior to production. On Product Depending on the type of product you are supplying, one or more of the branding elements may need to be included on each item. These must be purchased through our nominated suppliers. Unless unavailable from our suppliers, and specifically requested by The Sportsman s Guide, independently sourced or created branding elements are unacceptable, and if used, will result in a chargeback against the vendor. Also, depending on the item, you may be asked to add one of our logos directly to the product via printing, screening, etching, embossing, or other means. Due to the large variety of products we source, specific direction on the inclusion of branding elements will not be provided here. Branding decisions will be made and communicated by the Buyer and/or Import Specialist prior to a purchase order being issued. Examples of each specified branding element, along with confirmation of placement, or a completed sample bearing our logo, must be approved by the Import Specialist or the buyer prior to production. It is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure all materials bearing our brand/logo are safeguarded against misuse. 12 of 21

13 Vendor-Supplied Accessories Example Images (for reference only) Guide Gear Text in our Correct Font Footbed Example *Used on all footwear except slippers. 13 of 21

14 Waterproof/Guide Dry Labeling Options *Label may be in rubber, metal, or woven. 14 of 21

15 Waterproof Hangtag Example *Must be used on all Waterproof Footwear. Guide Gear Logo Outsole *If applicable, requested on all footwear. 15 of 21

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17 Size Marker on Outsole (if applicable for your item- Buyer to determine) 17 of 21

18 Rubber Boot Accessories Only A. Rubber Boot Front Rubber Patch B. Rubber Boot Thinsulate Heat Seal C. Rubber Boot Gusset (if applicable) 18 of 21

19 Wader Accessories Only Wader Thinsulate Heat Seal Example 19 of 21

20 Insulated Footwear Accessories Only Thinsulate Hangtag Examples *Must be used on all insulated footwear. For all Thinsulate weight over 1000 grams, the vendor should use the Extreme Performance hangtag. If the incorrect Thinsulate hangtag is used, The Sportsman s Guide will provide the vendor a chargeback for the labor ($50.00 per hour) to remove the incorrect hangtag. Thinsulate Woven Label *Used on all insulated footwear except rubber boots and waders. 20 of 21

21 Licensed Camo Hangtag Example *Must be used on all footwear with licensed camo. 21 of 21