Monki

How ethical is Monki?

Monki is a multinational fashion brand, based in Sweden and owned by H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB. The Good Shopping Guide has given Monki 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 does Monki perform poorly?

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

Monki performed very poorly in our Organic category since none of its items was certified by a recognised organisation that certifies organic products, like The Soil Association or a comparable organisation. In order to ensure that cotton, one of the “dirtiest crops,” was not grown in a way that endangered farmers, local ecosystems, animals, or cotton producers in addition to farmers and cotton growers, certifications are used.

Secondly, Monki performs poorly according to our research criteria, which examines brands’ Animal Welfare Policies. PETA has previously criticised the parent organisation for using animal skins (despite the parent group having a solid animal welfare policy). The mistreatment of calves is discussed in this article.

For its Code of Conduct, we have given Monki a medium score, as these documents are vague and lacking in detail.

Monki scores perhaps most poorly for its Human Rights track record. The COVID-19 pandemic has trapped factory employees working in the H&M group 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 the H&M Group supply chain workers in Bangladesh. According to the research, brands have reportedly failed to carry out the agreed-upon safety upgrades at their Bangladeshi supplier plants.

Monki’s parent company, H&M, was mentioned as contributing to this issue in SOMO’s 2017 study, “Branded Childhood.” Only one-third of the living wage is paid to the average garment worker in Bangladesh. Parents’ decisions to pull their children out of school and let them work have been found to be significantly influenced by low pay and excessive work hours.

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 Monki perform well? 

In its Sustainability Report, The H&M Group lists several goals for 2030 and offers proof of accomplishments. This research, which considers “Material Choice,” “Microfibres,” “Maximizing Product Life,” and many more papers that take into account the extensive environmental impact of the clothing and garment business, is thorough and well-organized. Therefore, Monki scored well on its Environmental Report.

Monki is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative. Being a member of this initiative encourages a company to make progress and work for greater traceability and welfare of workers in its supply chain. It has received a good score for our Ethical Trading Initiative criteria.

Monki also subscribes to the Better Cotton Initiative. This project seeks “to help cotton communities survive and thrive while protecting and restoring the environment.” 

How can the Monki brand improve its Ethical Rating?

The Good Shopping Guide‘s ultimate brand scores are determined by 15 moral standards. Monki has a number of issues to address before it can meet our Ethical Benchmark and be granted our Ethical Accreditation, including how it treats supply chain employees.

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.