H&M

Is H&M an ethical and sustainable fashion brand?

H&M, is a multinational fashion brand, based in Sweden and owned by H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB. The Good Shopping Guide has given H&M a low ethical rating. Unfortunately, this brand receives a low Good Shopping Guide Ethical score in our Ethical Fashion Retailers Ratings Table and has not yet met our minimum Ethical Benchmark. This brand has several areas to improve upon before it would likely qualify for our Ethical Accreditation.

In what areas of brand ethics does H&M perform poorly?

The Good Shopping Guide researches brands and companies across many criteria, spanning data and reporting on the Environment, Animals and People.

H&M scores perhaps most poorly for its Human Rights track record. The COVID-19 pandemic has trapped factory employees working in the H&M supply chain in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Indonesia into poverty, according to a sobering new study report from the Clean Clothes Campaign. The earnings, working conditions, and labour rights of garment workers in these nations continue to be severely impacted by the coronavirus crisis, according to interviews with 49 textile workers in these countries.

Another report from the Clean Clothes Campaign also uncovered more unsafe working conditions for H&M supply chain workers in Bangladesh. According to this research, the brands that have signed the Bangladesh Accord have reportedly failed to carry out the agreed-upon safety upgrades at their Bangladeshi supplier plants.

These are just a few examples of H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB’s poor treatment of workers and People in its supply chain.

In what areas does H&M perform well?

H&M is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, earning a top rating in this category.

How can the H&M brand improve its Ethical Rating?

The Good Shopping Guide’s score results from 15 ethical criteria in relation to H&M. To reach our Ethical Benchmark and qualify for our Ethical Accreditation, H&M has several issues to deal with, including its treatment of workers in its supply chain.

If your fashion brand values ethics and sustainability, why not check out The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation? Increase customer and investor confidence and stand out from the greenwash.