Corporate Responsibility

Responsible sourcing has been a core part of Jellycat’s business philosophy since the company was founded in 1999. From the very beginning, we have understood that the way our products are made is just as important as how they look and feel. Our approach to sourcing is built on long-term thinking, ethical responsibility, and a clear commitment to protecting the people, environments, and communities involved in bringing our soft toys to life. This commitment underpins every stage of our supply chain and guides how we choose partners, materials, and production methods.

Jellycat works closely with a carefully selected group of specialist suppliers and manufacturers who play a vital role in transforming creative ideas into finished products enjoyed by customers around the world. Many of these partners have worked with us for years, and some have been part of our journey since the early days of the brand. We believe that stable, long-term relationships create the strongest foundation for ethical production, consistent quality, and continuous improvement. By investing time and resources into these partnerships, we aim to build resilient and sustainable businesses that benefit everyone involved.

Respect for workers’ rights and wellbeing is central to our sourcing strategy. We expect our suppliers to operate with transparency and to share our commitment to fair treatment, safe working conditions, and responsible management practices. Before production begins, suppliers are assessed through detailed evaluations that include site visits and independent social compliance audits. These reviews help ensure that manufacturing environments meet our expectations and provide appropriate safeguards for workers. We only place production with facilities that have demonstrated compliance with these standards.

Our expectations are informed by internationally recognised labour principles and by evolving legislation designed to prevent exploitation within global supply chains. Suppliers are required to comply with applicable national and local laws, as well as broader international requirements addressing issues such as forced labour, child labour, and supply chain transparency. Where differences exist between legal requirements and Jellycat’s own standards, we expect the higher level of protection to be applied. This approach reflects our belief that ethical responsibility should go beyond minimum legal compliance.

Independent audits play an important role in monitoring working conditions and identifying potential risks. While audits represent a snapshot in time, they provide valuable insight into how facilities operate. Our suppliers take responsibility for arranging regular third-party audits, and the results are reviewed as part of our ongoing oversight. When issues are identified, we work collaboratively with suppliers to implement corrective actions that address root causes and prevent recurrence. Certain violations, including forced labour, child labour, human trafficking, bribery, or falsification of records, are treated with zero tolerance, and production cannot continue until appropriate remediation is completed.

Beyond compliance, Jellycat is focused on development and continuous improvement. We actively share best practices across our supplier network and support training and system enhancements that strengthen long-term performance. Our teams maintain a regular presence within manufacturing sites, engaging with partners during production and observing conditions beyond formal audit periods. These daily interactions allow us to better understand challenges on the ground and to support meaningful improvements over time.

Product safety and quality are equally important elements of responsible sourcing. Jellycat soft toys are designed to meet and exceed strict international toy safety requirements across multiple markets. All products undergo comprehensive testing to ensure suitability for babies and young children, and independent laboratories conduct regular assessments to verify compliance. Our internal standards are intentionally set higher than minimum legal thresholds to provide additional reassurance around durability, safety, and performance.

Environmental responsibility is closely linked to product design and material selection. Jellycat products are created to be long-lasting companions, and durability is viewed as a key contributor to sustainability. We carefully assess materials, construction techniques, and production processes to extend product lifespan and reduce unnecessary waste. Fabrics are sourced from specialist mills using compliant dyes, and materials are regularly tested for restricted chemicals to meet global safety standards.

We continually review opportunities to reduce environmental impact across our operations. This includes minimizing waste through efficient fabric cutting, improving quality control to reduce rejected items, and reworking or donating products that cannot be sold. Packaging choices are also reviewed, with efforts focused on eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics and sourcing responsibly certified paper and card materials. Through these combined efforts, Jellycat remains committed to strengthening responsible sourcing practices that support ethical production, product safety, and environmental care, while continuing to deliver the distinctive designs our customers value.