Cotopaxi

Our “Planet” rating evaluates brands based on the environmentacl policies in their supply chains, from carbon emissions and wastewater to business models and product circularity. Here we rate Cotopaxi “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses a medium proportion of lower-impact materials including recycled materials
• To reduce its climate impacts, it uses renewable energy in some of its supply chain.
• While it offers clothing recycling to consumers, it doesn’t report on its results.
• It’s eliminated some hazardous chemicals but has not made a commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking actions to protect biodiversity in its supply chain.

Workers’ rights are central to our “People” rating, which assess brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labour to living wages and gender equality. Here we rate Cotopaxi “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Part of its final production stage is certified by Fair Trade USA, Oeko-Tex STeP and OEKO-TEX Made in Green.
• There’s no evidence it provides financial security to its suppliers, which can result in poor working conditions and wages.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• There’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages in its supply chain.
• During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, it did not disclose adequate policies or safeguards to protect workers in its supply chain from the virus.

Brands’ animal welfare policies and, where applicable, how well they trace their animal-derived products are the focus of our “Animals” rating. Here we rate Cotopaxi “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It appears to use wool and down.
• A high proportion of its animal-derived materials consist of recycled or certified alternatives to conventional down.
• It doesn’t appear to use fur, angora, leather, shearling, cashmere, alpaca, or mohair.
• It has a formal policy but it is not aligned with the Five Domains of Animal Welfare.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate Cotopaxi “It's a Start” overall.