/PRNewswire/ - Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) announced today that Anvil Knitwear, a leading manufacturer of sportswear and accessories, is the first company worldwide to receive the organization's new WRAPe certificate for its textile mill, located in Honduras.

WRAPe is an enhanced environmental audit protocol that was developed over the past two years along with a group of environmental experts from the field. WRAPe is a comprehensive audit encompassing environmental management systems, waste discharge, use of chemicals in the manufacturing process and a great deal more, in addition to WRAP's existing rigorous compliance requirements. It was designed for the producers of textiles, leather products, notions, packaging and the other products that go into the final product for the apparel, footwear, leather and sewn products categories.

"Anvil's textile mill passed the WRAPe audit with flying colors, a clear demonstration of the commitment of local and senior management to environmentally responsible business practices," said Steve Jesseph, CEO of WRAP. "We're particularly pleased to be able to make this announcement on Earth Day."

WRAP has audited facilities in the sewn products sector in more than 70 countries for the past 10 years. Anvil Knitwear's textile mill had already been certified to its standard protocol.

"We are incredibly proud to be the first manufacturer in the world to receive WRAPe certification," said Anthony Corsano, CEO of Anvil. "This is an important milestone for Anvil and evidence of the social and environmental initiatives that we, as a company, continue to make as part of our overall commitment to protecting the communities in which we operate and the planet."

Anvil Knitwear is a leading manufacturer of innovative, high-quality eco-friendly apparel and accessories with a proven record in engaging in responsible practices. Among their many social and environmental initiatives, Anvil is the official apparel partner of Earth Day Network and sponsor of Earth Day NY's I am E campaign and in 2009 launched the interactive Web site http://www.trackmyt.com to teach consumers about the carbon footprint of their clothing.

About Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production

Dedicated to lawful, ethical and humane manufacturing, WRAP is the world's largest facility-based social and environmental compliance certification and training organization. WRAP is headquartered in Arlington, VA.

For more information, please visit www.wrapcompliance.org.

About Anvil Knitwear

Anvil Knitwear, Inc., a socially and environmentally responsible manufacturer of sportswear and accessories, is a leader in the sustainable apparel industry with its AnvilOrganic®, AnvilRecycled™ and AnvilSustainable™ brands. Anvil was recently ranked the world's sixth-largest organic program and the largest domestic purchaser of U.S.-grown certified organic cotton. Anvil offers 17 affordable eco styles made from a variety of fibers such as certified organic cotton, transitional cotton, recycled cotton, and recycled PET bottles and blends in addition to its over 90 traditional styles.

For more information, please visit www.anvilknitwear.com and www.anvilcsr.com.

Anvil Knitwear, Inc.

Anvil Knitwear, Inc.

Anvil Knitwear, Inc. is a socially-responsible manufacturer of quality active wear, hats, towels and bags for men, women, and children. Anvil, sells primarily to the B2B market and under private label brands. Anvil brands include Anvil(R), chromaZONE(TM) by Anvil, AnvilOrganic(TM), AnvilRecycled(TM), AnvilSustainable(TM), Cotton Deluxe(R), Towels Plus(R) by Anvil. Anvil is a corporate signatory to Social Accountability International (SAI) which promotes the SA8000 social management system and it is a CERES Company, supporting the CERES 10-point corporate environmental code of ethics. The company is headquartered in New York. Anvil Knitwear, Inc. is a wholly- owned subsidiary of Anvil Holdings, Inc. For more information, visit www.anvilknitwear.com or www.anvilknitwear.eu. in Europe.

More from Anvil Knitwear, Inc.