Sustainability

bb trading & amfori BSCI:
Responsibility by Design.

Sustainable Sourcing:
Challenge or Opportunity?

Many think sustainability slows down procurement.
But who wants to shop with a guilty conscience? Nobody.

Human rights, fair working conditions, and eco-friendly materials – of course, these matter. But asking questions, checking, researching on your own? That’s time-consuming and tedious.

We get it.
That’s exactly why we’re here. For us, it’s second nature. Truly.
At bb trading, sustainable sourcing isn’t optional – it’s standard. We combine transparency, quality, and responsibility – from material to finished promotional product.

Online Shops:
Often More Facade Than Substance.

What sets us apart from Alibaba, Amazon & Co.?
There, too, you can order a GOTS-certified organic t-shirt with amfori BSCI standards in just a click. Everything looks perfect – but is it really what’s promised?

Let’s check!

Social standards? Materials? Labels?
Who verifies that online? Exactly – nobody. Most of the time, it’s trust, not verifiable facts.

With us, it’s different.

What Does This Mean in Practice?

1. bb trading is an amfori BSCI member.

amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) isn’t a label – it’s a social standard with an international code of conduct for global supply chains and a monitoring system for responsible sourcing.
The goal: Fair working conditions at every production stage. In plain terms: protecting human rights, no discrimination, no child or forced labor, fair wages and hours, safe and responsible production processes.

That’s exactly what we stand for! Since 2009, we’ve been proud amfori BSCI members – the first promotional product supplier in Switzerland to do so. We commit to checking suppliers in risk countries for ethical and social compliance. Over 90% of our producers in risk countries hold an amfori BSCI audit.

Important: BSCI works only with membership – only members can access audit reports. Membership funds global training, a comprehensive platform, improvement projects for producers, and more.
Many providers use audit reports without being members. In short: members take responsibility. Non-members simply benefit.

2. Sustainable labels and materials?

For many, it’s just a facade. GOTS, Oeko-Tex, Fairtrade – documents often outdated or mismatched. Verification is mandatory for us.
Plus, an organic t-shirt with social standards isn’t sustainable if it loses shape after two washes. Only expertise, guidance, and trained eyes find the right product. We have a dedicated team passionate about this topic.

3. And transport and the environment?

Sure, express shipping is convenient – but often it means air freight, with a high CO₂ footprint. We factor that into every sourcing process and prioritize eco-friendly transport. Air freight? Only when absolutely necessary.

These and many other points are part of our daily business.
We review documents, cross-check information, verify plausibility, and address uncertainties directly. Risks are identified early, alternatives explored, and solutions implemented. You don’t have to worry – just sit back and relax.

Wish vs. Reality:
How It Works in Practice.

Customer wishes… and reality:

Production in Switzerland or EU
Sounds ideal – short distances, fair standards. But many products like plush toys or umbrellas are hardly produced here anymore or come at extremely high costs.

Long-term supplier = no audit needed?
We’ve known some partners for decades. Still, even long-term partners need checking. Audits create transparency and reveal what really happens behind the scenes. Only then does dialogue happen on equal footing.

Audit good = all good?
Not automatically. Even with a valid audit, issues may exist and not all risks are covered. Regular checks, discussions, and trusted partnerships are essential to spot risks earl

Reality check passed. ✔️

Conclusion:
Sustainability Requires a System, Not Just Good Intentions.

Sustainability isn’t a trend – it’s a team effort and, above all, an ongoing process that never ends.

Sustainable sourcing isn’t marketing or a simple label. It starts with choosing producers, covers materials, production conditions, and transport, all the way to a product’s lifespan. This is where the line between greenwashing and real responsibility is drawn.

With amfori BSCI, audits, material checks, and our bb.Eco Rating, we create transparency in the supply chain – making sustainability measurable. Identify risks, implement improvements, strengthen long-term partnerships, and ensure quality.

For companies, sustainable sourcing isn’t a burden – it’s a competitive advantage: building trust, reducing supply chain risks, and creating promotional products that look good and are truly sustainable.

At bb trading, we do this every day – with expertise, clear processes, and responsibility across the entire supply chain. For people. For the planet. For brands that want more than just a good feeling.