Reflections and gratitude from WRAP President and CEO, Avedis Seferian

As WRAP celebrates its 25th anniversary, we invite you learn more about our impact, achievements, leadership, and outlook for the future—both as an organization and for the industry.

3,900+

Facilities around the world
currently certified by WRAP

15.8m+

Workers who have been employed
in a WRAP-certified facility over 25 years

43,000+

Total certificates issued by WRAP

180m+

Total lives impacted
by WRAP in 25 years

WRAP’s Global Presence

WRAP-certified facilities meet the expectations of hundreds of leading brands and retailers, resulting in reduced audit fatigue and enhanced their competitiveness in the global market.

Today, we have more than 30 representatives in key sourcing destinations around the globe.

Staff Profiles

Vinay Saxena, India

Vinay has worked with WRAP for over seven years and is currently the WRAP’s Head of Operations in India, and Manager of Auditor Training.

Hong Dinh, Vietnam

Hong has worked with WRAP for over seven years and is currently the WRAP representative for Vietnam.

Brian Hui, China

Brian has worked with WRAP for over 12 years and is currently the WRAP’s Head of Operations for Greater China.

Kamrun Nahar, Bangladesh

Kamrun has worked with WRAP for more than 13 years and is currently the Head of Operations in Bangladesh.

Gerwin Leppink, Europe

Gerwin has worked with WRAP for over seven years and is currently the WRAP Regional Director, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Neni Triani, Indonesia

Neni has worked with WRAP for over two years and is currently the WRAP representative for Indonesia and Malaysia.


Achievements in
Social Compliance

Since its inception in the 1990s, social compliance and corporate responsibility have evolved from basic compliance to responsible sourcing, emphasizing transparency, worker rights, and long-term supplier relationships. And WRAP has evolved with it. 

Courtesy of Oregon State University’s Professional and Continuing Education (voiceover provided by Angela Wartes-Kahl)

Over the past quarter century, more than 180 million lives around the world have been positively impacted by WRAP’s enduring commitment to ensuring safe and ethical practices for the workers underpinning the garment and footwear industry.

    1996

    Kathie Lee Gifford accused of making clothing using child labor and forced labor, where workers were subjected to harsh conditions and extremely low wages. The incident garnered significant attention from U.S. media and lawmakers.

    1997

    President Clinton’s Apparel Industry Partnership launched to provide training and tools to improve working conditions.

    1998

    American Apparel and Manufacturers Association (AAMA) forms committee to address social compliance challenges; Responsible Apparel Production Principles (RAPP) drafted.

    First RAPP audit conducted at Jockey’s Costa Rica facility.

    1999

    The AAMA Committee recommends the formation of an independent nonprofit, renamed as Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP).

    2000

    WRAP incorporated as an independent nonprofit, with Jack Otero appointed as first Chair of the Board, and Lawrence Doherty appointed as first Executive Director. 

    AAMA merges with the Footwear Industries of America (FIA) and The Fashion Association to form American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA).

    2003

    Charles Masten named Chair of Board of WRAP.

    2007

    WRAP updates its name to Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production.

    2009

    WRAP opens an office in Hong Kong for on-the-ground access to facilities in Greater China.

    2010

    California passes the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, requiring large retail sellers and manufacturers doing business in the state to disclose their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their direct supply chains. 

    2011

    WRAP opens an office in Dhaka, increasing support in South Asia.

    2012

    Avedis Seferian named WRAP President and CEO.

    2013

    The Rana Plaza building collapses killing over 1,100 garment workers in Bangladesh.

    The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh was signed, and the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety was formed. WRAP’s President and CEO, Avedis, is appointed to the Alliance’s Advisory Board.

    2015

    The UK passes the Modern Slavery Act, which seeks to regulate and address the issues of modern-day slavery in business operations and their global supply chains.

    2019

    WRAP benchmarks its Principles 11 (Customs Compliance) and 12 (Security) to conform with standards of the CBP’s Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program.

    2020

    Due to the impact of COVID, WRAP starts implementing Alternative Desktop Assessments (ADA) for facilities seeking to renew their certification, temporarily replacing onsite initial audits in places where travel comes to a halt. After passing the ADA, a facility is granted a four-month extension on their existing certificate.

    2021

    The U.S. passes the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which outlaws the importation of goods made with forced labor from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.

    Holly Wise named Chair of the Board of WRAP.

    2023

    Canada passes Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within Canadian supply chains.

    2024

    The EU passes the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on human rights and the environment throughout companies’ value chains as well as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) focused on how companies report and disclose their impacts.

    How has social compliance evolved?

    How has WRAP grown as a leader in social compliance?

    Where does WRAP see the apparel and footwear industry headed?

    Growth in Workers Employed
    at WRAP-Certified Facilities

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    Growth in Certifications Issued
    to Compliant Facilities

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    25 Years of Leadership

    WRAP is the leading voice for socially responsible sourcing in sewn products and related industries. For 25 years, we have led the movement towards socially responsible and transparent supply chains.

    Holly Wise, WRAP Board Chair

    Holly Wise, WRAP Board Chair

    Steven Lamar

    Steven Lamar, AAFA President and CEO

    Garco 10

    Garco 10, Vietnamese Manufacturer


    A Look Ahead for Social Compliance

    Personal insights from Avedis Seferian, WRAP President and CEO

    Signature of Avedis Seferian

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