howies - global responsibility

Howies Info

Brand Owner: Howies Ltd
Head Office: Cardigan, UK
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Baby and Children, Denim, Casual
Free Tags: Basic

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5 out of 16

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Last Updated: 15 January 2010
Last Verified: 11 January 2010

Howies 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?	Howies has not published a specified policy to reduce carbon emissions on their website, but howies does small things such as using sorts of cotton and denim that use less water and do not require conventional pesticides or herbicides, using new dyeing processes that need less water, using sustainable materials that will last for at least ten years and recycling unused cotton (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?	Howies says it will calculate its carbon footprint; no information is found yet however.	SOURCE
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its ‘own operations’ carbon footprint by at least 20% before the year 2012?	Howies says it will calculate its carbon footprint; no information is found yet however.	SOURCE
4. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the supply/production chain?	Howies wants to collect information about the CO2 emissions from the supply chain, not yet found however.	SOURCE

Questions about Environmental Policy

4 out of 4


1. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 5% of its volume?	Howies uses organic and recycled cotton (see link) for their clothing as well as organic denim.	SOURCE
2. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 10% of its volume?	Howies uses organic and recycled cotton (see link) for their clothing as well as organic denim.	SOURCE
3. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 25% of its volume?	Howies uses organic and recycled cotton (see link) for their clothing as well as organic denim.	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?	In the link, some information about chemical use is given. Under 'clean yourself up', information about water treatment is given.	SOURCE

Questions about Labour Conditions/Human Rights

0 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?	In the ‘question & answer section’ howies mentions having a Code of Conduct and says to be sure that none of its factories uses child labour and that workers are treated fairly and without discrimination. They “just haven’t told anybody about it”. Since the CoC is not found anywhere, no points can be given.	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?	CoC not found (see remark question 1).	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?	CoC not found (see remark question 1).	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 on howies website.	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 howies 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 howies website.	SOURCE
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labour conditions policy?	No information found on howies 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%?	Although howies mentions in the ‘question and answer section’ that all of its factories are being audited, they don’t publish official information.	SOURCE

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