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Fila

How ethical is Fila?

Fila is a South Korean sportswear and fashion brand owned by Fila Holdings Corporation. The Good Shopping Guide gives the brand a low Ethical Rating. Unfortunately, this brand receives a low Good Shopping Guide Ethical Score in our Ethical Shoes & Trainers Ratings Table and has not yet met our minimum benchmark. This brand has several areas to improve upon before it would likely qualify for our Ethical Accreditation.

Who founded Fila and what is Fila?

Though Fila is now a South Korean brand of sportswear, it was originally founded by Italian brothers in 1923 for the active Alpine communities of Italy.

In 2007, Fila Korea bought Fila and all of its assets and subsidiaries. The popularity of this shoe and trainer brand has been furthered in recent years by endorsements by celebrities, such as the band BTS.

Is Fila Cruelty-Free?

For its Animal Welfare Policy, The Good Shopping Guide has given Fila a middle rating, as it lacks detail and is not robust enough. Though some of Fila’s products claim to be ‘Vegan’. Those concerned about Animal Welfare should be cautious, as no shoe from Fila is certified-Vegan, and materials such as glue may contain animal products.

Fila and Human Rights abuses: Does Fila use Uyghur labour?

Fila’s Human Rights standards also leave much to be desired. In the Xinjiang region of China, where Uyghur minorities are purportedly subjected to forced labour in “re-education” camps, a number of well-known corporations have been linked to violations of human rights. From Hotan Prefecture in Xinjiang, Uyghur employees were transported to 15 industries in Anhui Province, among them Huafu Top Dyed Melange Yarn Co. Ltd. adidas, Lacoste, Puma, Zara, and H&M all receive cotton and coloured fibres from this factory. The Haoyuanpeng Clothing Manufacturing Co., another so-called “Xinjiang Aid” firm, promotes strategic alliances with Nike, adidas, and Puma, as well as Fila.

Is Fila an ethical company?

On the positive side, Fila has not been found to have made any Political Donations, on the public record. Its comprehensive Code of Conduct is also a good way for consumers, independent governance bodies and investors to hold this brand to account.

How can the Fila brand improve its Ethical Rating?

The Good Shopping Guide’s score results from 15 ethical criteria in relation to Fila. To reach our Ethical Benchmark and qualify for our Ethical Accreditation, Fila has several issues to deal with, including its involvement in Human Rights abuses and lack of verified-Organic products.

Ethical performance in category

0

GSG score

44
64

GSG category benchmark

100

Ethical Rating

Environment

  • Environmental Report

    Good

  • Nuclear Power

    Good

  • Sustainable Materials

    Poor

  • Fossil Fuels

    Good

Animal

  • Animal Welfare

    Acceptable

  • Vegan Options

    Poor

People

  • Armaments

    Good

  • Code of Conduct

    Good

  • Political Donations

    Good

  • Ethical Trading Schemes

    Poor

  • Human Rights

    Acceptable

Other

  • Ethical Accreditation

    Poor

  • Other Criticisms

    Poor

  • Other Criticisms+

    Poor

= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating