Marks & Spencer scores 7 out of 16 at Rank a Brand: Empowering you to support socially responsible business

Marks & Spencer Info

Brand Owner: Marks and Spencer Group plc
Head Office: London, UK
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Retailer
Free Tags: Affordable Fashion

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7 out of 16

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Last Updated: 9 June 2010
Last Verified: 9 June 2010

Marks & Spencer 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?	Marks & Spencer has various policy measures to reduce carbon emissions, such as using more renewable electricity (see page 4 of Marks & Spencer How We Do Business Report 2009).	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?	According to the new UK Government revised guidelines on calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, Marks & Spencer's did not reduce its carbon emissions, but the total CO2 emissions have increased with 2% in 2008/2009 from 2006/2007 (see page 18).	SOURCE
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its ‘own operations’ carbon footprint by at least 20% before the year 2012?	Marks & Spencer 'Plan A Commitments 2010 - 2015' (see link) is to reduce its operational carbon emissions by 35% and make its operations carbon neutral. It is committed to delivering its existing target of making its UK and Republic of Ireland operations carbon neutral by 2012. However, Marks & Spencer does not provide a clear timeline and is not clear about the base line of the 35% reduction.	SOURCE
4. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the supply/production chain?	See pages 21 & 22, for example. the target regarding 'green factories' (see page 22). See also page 23 of Marks & Spencer 'Plan A Commitments 2010 - 2015' (see link Climate Change question 3).	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?	As part of its strategy Marks & Spencer is converting 10% of the cotton it uses to Fairtrade, organic, or both. Recent percentage of total volume is not clear however.	SOURCE
2. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 10% of its volume?	As part of its strategy Marks & Spencer is converting 10% of the cotton it uses to Fairtrade, organic, or both. Recent percentage of total volume is not clear however.	SOURCE
3. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 25% of its volume?	As part of its strategy Marks & Spencer is converting 10% of the cotton it uses to Fairtrade, organic, or both. Recent percentage of total volume is not clear however.	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?	Marks & Spencer wants to update its chemical and environmental policy for dye-houses, fabric printers, laundries and tanneries to include water management practices by 2011 (see page 51).	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?	Marks & Spencer is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and refers to the ETI Base Code (see link). All standards are mentioned (see points 1,3,4 & 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?	Marks & Spencer is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and refers to the ETI Base Code (see link). All standards are mentioned (see points 5,6 & 8).	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?	Marks & Spencer is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and refers to the ETI Base Code (see link). This standard is mentioned, with reference to parallel means for the situation of law restrictions (see point 2).	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 information found in CSR-report or on the website of Marks & Spencer.	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?	Marks & Spencer is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI).	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 on the board of the ETI.	SOURCE
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labour conditions policy?	A lot of information about audits, supplier trainings, corrective actions, etc. (see pages 32-35) is given. It is unclear though, what the percentage of audited clothing factories is in relation to the total purchase volume.	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%?	Information about the percentage of certified or monitored factories is not found. See also remark question 7.	SOURCE