Billabong scores 5 out of 16 at Rank a Brand: Empowering you to support socially responsible business

Billabong Info

Brand Owner: Billabong International Ltd.
Head Office: Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Sportswear
Free Tags: Action Sports, Surfing

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5 out of 16

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Last Updated: 28 June 2010
Last Verified: 28 June 2010

Billabong Score Report

Questions about Carbon Emissions

1 out of 4


1. Is there a policy for the brand to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions?	Billabong has an annual carbon inventory (see 'Carbon Footprint').	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?	Since Billabong started including its Scope 3 emissions in 2006/2007, their emission count went up from 15,588 tonnes of CO2 in 2006/2007 to 24,017 tonnes in 2007/2008 and then 28,111 tonnes in 2008/2009. Judging from their data, which includes Scope 3 emissions, they have not been able to cut their emissions by 10% (see ‘Carbon Footprint' and 'Comparisons to prior year’).	SOURCE
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its ‘own operations’ carbon footprint by at least 20% before the year 2012?	Billabong says it is pursuing a range of initiatives designed to reduce its overall carbon footprint, but no reference could be found to a goal to reduce emissions by 20% by 2012 (see 'Comparisons to prior year').	SOURCE
4. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the supply/production chain?	Although Billabong says it is “pursuing a range of initiatives designed to reduce its overall carbon footprint”, to get a ‘yes’ Billabong needs to be more specific (see 'Comparisons to prior year').	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 Billabong does use organically grown cotton and recycled polyester, they do not state the numbers used in terms of percentage of the total volume (see 'Sustainable Products').	SOURCE
2. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 10% of its volume?	Although Billabong does use organically grown cotton and recycled polyester, they do not state the numbers used in terms of percentage of the total volume (see 'Sustainable Products').	SOURCE
3. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 25% of its volume?	Although Billabong does use organically grown cotton and recycled polyester, they do not state the numbers used in terms of percentage of the total volume (see 'Sustainable Products').	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?	Some information given about chemical and water use, but very minimal (see 'Sustainable Products').	SOURCE

Questions about Labour Conditions/Human Rights

4 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?	Billabong follows the SA8000 standards (see 'Why adopt a standard'). For Code of Conduct (CoC) SA8000, see link questions 2&3 below. In this CoC, all these standards are mentioned (see page 5-7).	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?	1. Not mentioned; 2. Maximum workweek of 48 hours, overtime is generally voluntary. Overtime work may be only mandatory when it is needed and the company is party to a collective bargaining agreement freely negotiated with worker organisations representing a significant portion of its workforce (see page 7); 3. Living wages are paid (see page 7).	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?	This right is mentioned, with reference to parallel means for the situation of law restrictions (see page 6/7).	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?	Not list found on Billabong website, though Billabong does mention some countries (see 'What is the supply chain').	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?	Billabong refers to the certification scheme SA8000, but not clear what percentage of factories/ annual volume is certified (see ‘Why adopt a standard?’).	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?	Billabong refers to the certification scheme SA8000 that is acknowlegded for this question, but not clear what percentage of factories/ annual volume is certified (see ‘Why adopt a standard?’).	SOURCE
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labour conditions policy?	Good description of audit process, corrective actions, etc. is given. However, Billabong could be more clear on the number and location of factories covered by the performed audits.	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%?	Not sure, but most probably less than 30% is SA8000 certified.	SOURCE