American Apparel scores 3 out of 16 at Rank a Brand: Empowering you to support socially responsible business

American Apparel Info

Brand Owner: American Apparel
Head Office: Los Angelos, California, USA
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Sportswear, Casual, Underwear & Lingerie
Free Tags: Sporty, Basic

Rank a Brand score:

3 out of 16

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Last Updated: 23 February 2010
Last Verified: 23 February 2010

American Apparel Score Report

Questions about Carbon Emissions

2 out of 4


1. Is there a policy for the brand to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions?	American Apparel has different policy measures to reduce CO2 emissions, such as using solar power and recycling fabric scraps.	SOURCE
2. Has the brand (company) published the carbon-footprint of its 'own operations' and has the brand already reduced 10% of these emissions in the last 5 years?	No information found on American Apparel website.	SOURCE
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its ‘own operations’ carbon footprint by at least 20% before the year 2012?	No information found on American Apparel website.	SOURCE
4. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the supply/production chain?	American Apparel houses a state-of-the-art solar panel installation on the roof of its LA factory. This system generates 150 kilowatts of clean, renewable power, contributing 15% of their energy needs.	SOURCE

Questions about Environmental Policy

0 out of 4


1. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 5% of its volume?	Although American Apparel uses environmentally safe organically grown cotton, no percentages are given.	SOURCE
2. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 10% of its volume?	Although American Apparel uses environmentally safe organically grown cotton, no percentages are given.	SOURCE
3. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 25% of its volume?	Although American Apparel uses environmentally safe organically grown cotton, no percentages are given.	SOURCE
4. Does the brand (company) report on its environmental policy related to the 'wet processes' within the production cycle, like bleaching and dying of fabrics?	Although the Organic Collection colour t-shirts are dyed with low impact dye which meets the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), there is no information found on the 'wet processes' of the complete collection.	SOURCE

Questions about Labour Conditions/Human Rights

1 out of 8


1. Does the brand (company) have a supplier Code of Conduct (CoC) which includes the following standards: No forced or slave labour, no child labour, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace?	No Code of Conduct found on American Apparel website. The American Apparel garment factory is located in the USA, but according to Made-By this is not a low-risk country. But they state that they do not discriminate (see 'Equal Employment Opportunity Policy') and they claim to be 'sweatshop free', but do not explain this.	SOURCE
2. Does this CoC include at least two of the following workers rights: 1. to have a formally registered employment relationship 2. to have a maximum working week of 48 hours with voluntary paid overtime of 12 hours maximum 3. to have a sufficient living wage?	No Code of Conduct found on American Apparel website. The American Apparel garment factory is located in the USA, but according to Made-By this is not a low-risk country. But they state that they do not discriminate (see 'Equal Employment Opportunity Policy') and they claim to be 'sweatshop free', but do not explain this.	SOURCE
3. Does this Code of Conduct include the right for workers to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; and in those situations where these rights are restricted under law, the right to facilitate parallel means of independent and free association and bargaining?	No information found on American Apparel website.	SOURCE
4. Does the brand (company) have a published list of direct suppliers, that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume?	The company does not make use of outsourcing and has every step of the production chain based in-house in LA.	SOURCE
5. Is the brand (company) a member of a collective initiative that aims to improve labour conditions, or does the brand (company) purchase its supplies from accredited factories with improved labour conditions?	No information found on American Apparel website.	SOURCE
6. Do independent civil society organizations like NGO's and labour unions have a decisive voice in this collective initiative or in these certification schemes?	No information found on American Apparel website.	SOURCE
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labour conditions policy?	No information found on American Apparel website.	SOURCE
8. Has the brand's labour conditions policy resulted in a 'compliance level' of at least 30% of the purchase volume, or a 'monitored level' of at least 80%?	No information found on American Apparel website.	SOURCE