Hennes & Mauritz - global responsibility

Hennes & Mauritz Info

Brand Owner: H&M
Head Office: Stockholm, Sweden
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Retailer, Underwear & Lingerie
Free Tags: H & M, H&M, Affordable Fashion, Flash Fashion, Divided, L.O.G.G., LOGG

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7 out of 16

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Last Updated: 9 March 2010
Last Verified: 23 February 2010

Hennes & Mauritz 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?	H&M has various policy measures to reduce carbon emissions, such as reducing energy in stores and climate-smart transportation (see link).	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?	H&M presents carbon footprint relative to turnover, and targets an increase for 2009, so this means less efficiency? See link for the real footprint from 2005-2008. Year 2006 carbon emissions were at the top: 300 thousand tonnes. For 2008 it was 281 thousand.So a reduction of 10% is not reached.	SOURCE
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its ‘own operations’ carbon footprint by at least 20% before the year 2012?	Page 34 of sustainability report: The goal is 10% footprint reduction in 2009 compared to 2004 but p. 35 says this target is relative to sales in 2009, so no fixed target, and nothing found for 2012. For 2020 H&M wants to use 20% renewable energy.	SOURCE
4. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the supply/production chain?	No clear policy yet, but H&M started to work with Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), and aims to monitor carbon footprint in the supply chain (see page 34).	SOURCE

Questions about Environmental Policy

1 out of 4


1. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 5% of its volume?	In 2008 H&M used 3000 tons of organic cotton, plus other preferred materials. Also, H&M joined the Better Cotton Inititative. But not clear what the total amount or percentages of preferred materials is.	SOURCE
2. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 10% of its volume?	In 2008 H&M used 3000 tons of organic cotton, plus other preferred materials. Also, H&M joined the Better Cotton Inititative. But not clear what the total amount or percentages of preferred materials is.	SOURCE
3. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 25% of its volume?	In 2008 H&M used 3000 tons of organic cotton, plus other preferred materials. Also, H&M joined the Better Cotton Inititative. But not clear what the total amount or percentages of preferred materials is.	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?	H&M monitors the water use and water treatment (p. 28-30). Furthermore H&M sells babywear bearing the EU’s eco-label 'The Flower' (environmental certification scheme which guarantees responsible chemical and water use during production) (p. 41).	SOURCE

Questions about Labour Conditions/Human Rights

5 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?	All standards are mentioned in H&M Code of Conduct.	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. Yes, all workers should be entitled to an employment contract; 2. No, maximum working week is based on the law of the country of manufacture and hours of overtime is not specified; 3. No, mentioning of minimum wage, not living wage (see page 4).	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 clear 'parallel means' described. Although on page 1 is described that that H&M requirements may not be limited to local law in art 4.1.4 it is described that workers "should be able to lawfully organise or join an association". No references to ILO conventions.	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?	No, H&M says it does not publish the names and contact details of its suppliers for competition reasons (see answer to fifth question).	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?	H&M is a member of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) (see page 8).	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?	NGO's are represented in the board of FLA.	SOURCE
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labour conditions policy?	Yes, this is reported on pages 56 - 75.	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%?	According to the Fair Labor Association, H&M is in compliance with the FLA code. (See also p. 14 of H&M CSR report 2008: "in 2008 there were around 800 suppliers ... all were part of our Full Audit Programme.")	SOURCE

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