To: Destination Maternity Vendors and Factories

Testing Alert

CC: Linda Rosenzweig, Chuck Picket, Intertek Lab, UL Lab, SGS Lab, Customs Compliance Team, OPM & Fabric

Team, Product Development Team, CAD/Color Team, International Team, Jeanette Hammond, Logistics,

Quality, Kelly Morrison & Technical Design Team.

From: Mari Alessi-Kowalski

Date: 4/9/2018

Re: DM TESTING PROGRAM UPDATES Q1 2017: CERTIFIED LAB, CARE LABEL QUALITY CHANG, DM CODED

CARE SYSTEM AND TESTING PACKAGE SUBMISSION TIMING GUIDELINES.

Dear Vendors and Factories,

Below outlines new Testing Program Updates effective Q1 go forward:

I. Certified Testing Lab

In order to streamline the communication and clarity of the Destination Maternity Testing Program as well as ensure the best technical and customer service to DM and its Vendors, the following Testing Lab will be the only Certified Testing under the Destination Maternity Apparel Testing program:

Unless otherwise specified all testing for Destination Maternity Apparel is to be performed at Intertek Testing Lab under the DM Testing Program Guidance. The DM Testing program is managed between the US and HK Intertek offices in conjunction with the Destination Maternity Testing Team. Intertek Program Managers will ensure DM Vendors and all global lab locations are working in unison within the testing program guidance for all testing submitted on DM’s behalf.

NOTE: To help keep this transition smooth, we will continue to honor current year DM test reports completed at SGS or UL labs until their expiration date. We do not expect Vendors to re-do existing fabric or garment testing unless there has been a change to quality/finish/dye hand feel. Vendors can continue to submit current year SGS or UL test reports as ‘ref’ reports until expiration date – however after that testing is expired, updated testing must commence at Intertek in time for the purchase order date that aligns with the test report expiration date.

In cases where fabric test has already been performed at SGS or UL, and Garment testing is due to be submitted to the lab – Vendors should complete the testing at SGS or UL for testing consistency sake. Reports will be valid for 1 year and any future testing must be completed at Intertek.

Vendors who have not worked with Intertek lab prior, must immediately reach out to the appropriate Intertek Lab location for their production and set up payment terms as a DM Vendor to ensure that future testing submitted to Intertek is not delayed by having to set up payment terms at the same time as submitting testing to Intertek for the first time.

*Please see the Intertek Lab Locations and Contact List on the DM web: wwot.destcorp.com; Testing Folder; Lab Contacts Folder – Click: Intertek Lab Contact List.

II. DM Care Label Paper Quality:

DM has identified a new quality paper for DM Care Labels. This is a softer material we feel will feel is better suited for comfort to the maternity consumer. We will not be nominating a supplier for this paper quality instead we will require that Vendors submit a one-time approval of their suppliers ‘quality match’. After DM one-time approval, Vendors will be required to maintain this paper quality go forward. *There will be no change to Care Label Dimensions.

Instructions: DM will be sending each Vendor a sample of the Care Label Quality to the appropriate contact responsible. Vendors must advise Mari Kowalski: mkowalski&DestinationMaternity.com Vendor Contact information for the team member who will handle submission for the one time approval. Vendor Instructions after receipt DM Quality: Source & match at your local supplier; submit for one time approval to: Mari Kowalski at the corporate office: 232 Strawbridge Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057 III. Coded Care Label System

In order to improve the quality of our care data, eliminate typographical errors, speed care label closure and prevent late Garment Classification (WAG) we have streamlined the care labels allowed and process for approval:

 To prevent multiple iterations of the same care that has resulted in a redundant and time consuming care approval process DM has approved 4 Recommended Coded Standard Care Labels that are applicable to all product types and are available in Tri Lingual and for Israel (Hebrew) respectively: DMCARE-TRI-01 DMCARE-ISR-01 DMCARE-TRI-02 DMCARE-ISR-02 DMCARE-TRI-03 DMCARE-ISR-03 DMCARE-TRI-04 DMCARE-ISR-04  To support the above we have updated DM TRF (Test Request Form) & DM CLL (Care Label Layout Form). The DM TRF will require our Vendors to choose the appropriate DM Coded Care for testing. For the CLL – there will now be a DM CLL for each Coded Care – Vendors will be required to choose the appropriate CLL form that matches FDS/DeSL Vendor BOM and Test results. *Forms will be on the DM web wwot.destcorp.com in time for Q1 testing at Intertek Lab and submission to DM Testing Team for approval.  DM Care Labels are still permitted to be produced by our Vendors local suppliers however upon testing approval DM Vendors must communicate to their suppliers the new DM artwork provided in DeSL tech packs to ensure their label makers produce accurately. Vendors will be responsible to monitor this work and achieve matching accurate care data (and paper quality).  Any vendors who have Israel Purchase orders NOT shipping to DM 3PL – they are responsible to produce the Israel Care Label. To ensure consistency the Hebrew Version of the DM CODED CARE will be provided automatically to Vendors in the DeSL system; Testing Details Tab upon DM Approval of the Tri Lingual CODED CARE.  Any Deviation of the above must be approved by the testing team – no exceptions.

IV. DM Testing Package Submittal Time and Action:

To support the above streamlining we want to communicate the expectations around submittal of testing packages & approval of DM CODED CARE per style or program of styles: how vendors will see this data and the time and action around testing to these cares and approval from DM Testing Team:

Fabric /Trim Testing Stage:

 FDS (Fabric Detail Sheet) is provided to DM Fabric Team at Development stage for adoption. Vendors must choose, on the form, the appropriate DM CODED CARE that best aligns with the Mills ‘recommended’ care. *The updated DM FDS sheet can be located on the DM web wwot.destcorp.com; Testing Folder; Testing Forms

 When fabric is adopted the DM Fabric Team inputs appropriate DM CODED CARE based on the FDS provided. DM Coded Care will be exhibited in DeSL System: Vendor BOM.  Bulk Fabric/Color is approved by Color Team and Vendor produces fabric (all colors) for testing  Fabric/trim testing commences at DM Certified Testing Lab (Intertek) and is tested to the exact DM CODED CARE indicated in DeSL System: Vendor BOM.  Testing Package is sent to DM Testing Team for review & DMCODED CARE approval based on test reports. Testing Package entails the following test reports:

 Fabric Test – Darkest Color on Order  Garment Test- Darkest Color on Order  Add Color Test (ea. Add color on order)  Trim Testing (Any trim such as belt, buttons, etc. that require regulatory testing)  Any retests for critical failures.

 DM CODED CARE will always be approved contingent upon passing garment test results at Garment Testing Stage. Vendors may print their production care labels after approval.  Fabric & Trim Testing and Care Confirmation must be completed no later than 5 business days after Fit is approved by Technical Design Team.

Garment Testing Stage:

 Vendors must test garments using the exact DM CODED CARE approved by DM Testing Team at Fabric Testing Stage.  Garment Testing is the final testing stage and should be a confirmation of the testing performance results completed and approved at ‘Fabric/Trim Testing Stage’.  Garment testing requires actual production quality samples that exhibit all necessary bulk fabric, trims, construction and finishing as indicated in the DeSL tech pack –no exceptions.  We are looking for consistency in testing performance and conformance to DM testing standards that matches the Fabric/Trim testing Stage and DM CODED CARE approved. Critical testing failures are not permitted.  Garment test reports are to be submitted to DM testing team for review and confirmation of conformance no later than 5 business days after Pre Pro Sample is fit approved by Technical Design.

NOTE: Maintaining the above time and action is critical for on time Garment Classification (WAG) which cannot be completed by DM customs team if all test reports and care confirmation are not in the DeSL System.

We firmly believe our streamlining of our testing labs, improved material for care labels, new coded care system and earlier confirmation of care at fit stage will improve quality of care, prevent delays further down the production time line and will ensure that we are not working under duress as the norm because our test reports and coded care will be in our system at the right time for production printing and garment classification.

Any questions on the process please reach out to me directly

Thank you for your compliance