Pinlord’s Anti-Slavery Mission

Pinlord anti-slavery mission

Pinlord’s Anti-Slavery Mission

At Pinlord, we believe retail should never come at the cost of human dignity — especially the safety, education and future of children.

As a retail brand, custom product manufacturer and creative pin community, we are committed to reducing the risk of modern slavery, forced labour, child labour and exploitation across our supply chain, partnerships and maker community.

🌱 Ethical retail 👧 Child labour prevention 🤝 Supplier accountability 🌍 Better custom products
Take action against modern slavery awareness graphic by Hope for Justice and Slave-Free Alliance
Awareness, education, ethical sourcing and action all help make exploitation harder to hide.
Our stance No product should be made through child labour, forced labour or exploitation.
Our focus Ethical sourcing, supplier accountability and customer education.
Customer impact Your purchases can support better, more responsible production choices.
How to help Learn the signs, use your voice and support trusted anti-slavery organisations.

Why this matters

Modern slavery and child labour are still global issues

Modern slavery is often hidden in global supply chains, including sectors connected to fashion, retail, manufacturing, agriculture, raw materials, packaging, logistics and domestic work. It can include forced labour, debt bondage, human trafficking, servitude, forced marriage and the worst forms of child labour.

The latest ILO and UNICEF estimates report that nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work likely to harm their health, safety or development. Walk Free also reports that an estimated 50 million people were living in modern slavery on any given day in 2021.

138m children estimated to be in child labour globally in 2024, according to ILO and UNICEF.
54m children estimated to be in hazardous work likely to harm their health, safety or development.
50m people estimated by Walk Free to be living in modern slavery globally.

Pinlord’s position

No child should suffer to make the products we sell

Pinlord stands firm in proving that it is possible to create unique, high-quality custom products while protecting the rights and futures of children everywhere. We believe ethical retail is not a nice-to-have. It is the standard modern customers, makers and communities should expect.

Our simple standard: no pin, patch, charm, keychain, sticker, apparel item, packaging product or custom merch order is worth exploiting a person or denying a child their safety, education and future.

Our core commitments

How Pinlord works to reduce modern slavery risk

Child labour-free sourcing

Pinlord expects manufacturing partners to comply with strict labour laws, age requirements and ethical employment standards before production begins.

Supplier vetting

We review manufacturing partners, production standards and documentation to reduce the risk of child labour, forced labour and unsafe work.

Supplier audits and checks

Where appropriate, we use supplier reviews, production checks and accountability processes to support safer and more responsible custom product manufacturing.

Corrective action

If serious concerns are discovered, Pinlord investigates, seeks corrective action where appropriate, and may pause or end supplier relationships.

Community empowerment

We recognise that exploitation often grows from poverty, lack of education and lack of opportunity. We support awareness and community-led solutions.

Continuous improvement

Our anti-slavery mission is ongoing. We continue strengthening policies, supplier expectations and customer education as global risks evolve.

Ethical custom products

Why anti-slavery matters for pins, merch and retail

Custom products are joyful. They represent artists, communities, fandoms, events, brands and personal creativity. But behind every product is a chain of decisions: materials, labour, factory conditions, packaging, shipping, pricing and accountability.

By prioritising ethical production, Pinlord helps customers create custom products with more confidence. Our goal is to make high-quality merch without hiding the human cost that too often sits behind cheap retail.

  • For artists: create custom products that align with your values.
  • For brands: reduce reputational risk by choosing more responsible production pathways.
  • For communities: build merch that supports connection without exploitation.
  • For customers: buy products with more transparency and care.
  • For the industry: prove that ethical retail and successful retail can work together.

Take action

How you can help fight modern slavery

Ending modern slavery needs action from businesses, customers, communities, governments and charities. You do not need to be an expert to help. Awareness, donations, training, responsible buying and reporting concerns all matter.

1 Learn to spot the signs

Understand common indicators of exploitation so trafficking and forced labour are harder to hide.

2 Use your voice

Share trusted anti-slavery resources with your friends, community, audience or business network.

3 Support charities

Donate, fundraise, volunteer or support organisations working to protect people from exploitation.

4 Buy responsibly

Choose brands and suppliers that take labour standards, transparency and accountability seriously.

Movements and charities

Trusted organisations working against modern slavery

These organisations provide education, research, support, training, campaigns and direct action against modern slavery, trafficking, child labour and exploitation. Pinlord encourages our customers and community to learn from them, support them and share their work.

Hope for Justice

Fights human trafficking and supports victims and survivors of modern slavery around the world.

Visit Hope for Justice →

Slave-Free Alliance

Helps organisations improve resilience against modern slavery through training, consultancy and services.

Visit Slave-Free Alliance →

Anti-Slavery International

Campaigns against slavery, including child slavery, forced labour, forced marriage and trafficking.

Visit Anti-Slavery International →

Walk Free

Publishes the Global Slavery Index and research on modern slavery risks around the world.

Explore Walk Free →

ILO child labour resources

Global labour standards, data and research on child labour and forced labour.

Read ILO resources →

UNICEF child protection

Resources on protecting children from exploitation, harmful work and unsafe conditions.

Read UNICEF resources →

Modern Slavery Australia

Australian government information about modern slavery warning signs, support and reporting pathways.

Report or get support →

Australian Federal Police

AFP leads Australia’s policing response to human trafficking and slavery offences.

Visit AFP resources →

Pinlord ethical products

Create custom products with a maker-first team focused on better production choices.

Browse custom ethical products →

Community action

How Pinlord helps — and how you can help

How Pinlord helps: supplier standards

We set expectations for ethical production, child labour prevention, safe working conditions and supplier accountability.

How you can help: ask questions

Before buying custom products, ask where they are made, who makes them and what supplier standards are in place.

How Pinlord helps: education

We use our platform to talk about modern slavery, child labour, ethical retail and the importance of responsible custom products.

How you can help: share resources

Share anti-slavery resources from organisations like Hope for Justice, Slave-Free Alliance, Walk Free and Anti-Slavery International.

How Pinlord helps: better choices

We continue improving how we select partners, communicate risks and guide customers toward more responsible production.

How you can help: report concerns

If you suspect exploitation or someone is unsafe, use trusted local reporting and support services. In an emergency in Australia, call 000.

Awareness image

Use your voice for freedom

Anti-slavery campaigners wearing Abolish Slavery shirts at a public awareness event
Awareness campaigns help bring exploitation out of the shadows and into public conversation.
Why awareness matters

Modern slavery often exists because it is hidden. When customers, businesses, creators and communities understand the signs, they are better equipped to ask questions, report concerns and support ethical alternatives.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Pinlord’s anti-slavery mission

What does “anti-slavery mission” mean in retail?

It means a company actively works to reduce the risk of child labour, forced labour, trafficking and exploitation across its supply chain. For Pinlord, it means setting strong expectations for suppliers, improving accountability and educating our community about ethical custom products.

How does Pinlord reduce the risk of child labour?

Pinlord uses supplier vetting, production expectations, documentation checks and ongoing improvement processes to reduce the risk of child labour and unsafe employment practices in our supply chain.

Why does Pinlord support community initiatives?

Child labour and exploitation are often connected to poverty, limited education and lack of safe income opportunities. Community initiatives, education and prevention programs can help address the root causes of exploitation.

What happens if a supplier does not meet Pinlord’s expectations?

If a serious concern is discovered, Pinlord investigates, seeks corrective action where appropriate, and may pause or end the supplier relationship if the supplier cannot meet our ethical standards.

Why should customers care about child labour in supply chains?

When products are made through exploitation, customers may unknowingly support harm. Choosing ethical custom products helps support fairer supply chains, safer work and better futures for children and communities.

How can I report suspected modern slavery in Australia?

If someone is in immediate danger in Australia, call Triple Zero (000). You can also report suspected modern slavery through the Australian Federal Police or the Modern Slavery Australia reporting resources.

Report suspected modern slavery →

How can I make ethical custom products with Pinlord?

You can browse Pinlord’s custom ethical products, send us your idea, and work with our team to choose the best product, quantity, design, timeline and production pathway.

Browse custom ethical products →

From all of us at Pinlord

Together, we can build retail that protects human dignity

By prioritising child labour-free sourcing, supplier accountability, community empowerment and transparency, Pinlord is working to show that retail can be both creative and profoundly ethical.

Together with our customers, makers and partners, we are building a future where every child has the right to safety, education and opportunity.