Image credit: Cotton On Body

Cotton On Body

Rated: It's a start

price:
$$$$

location: Australia

Cotton On Body is not taking adequate steps to eliminate hazardous chemicals in its supply chain.

Cotton On Body sustainability rating

Planet

2 out of 5

People

2 out of 5

Animals

4 out of 5

Overall rating: It's a start

Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We avoid) to 5 (Great) How we rate


Our “Planet” rating evaluates brands based on the environmental policies in their supply chains, from carbon emissions and wastewater to business models and product circularity. Here we rate Cotton On Body “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

  • It uses few lower-impact materials.
  • It follows an unsustainable fast fashion model with quickly changing trends and regular new styles.
  • There’s no evidence it’s taking meaningful action to reduce or eliminate 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 Cotton On Body “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

  • Some of its final production stage is certified by Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit - SMETA Best Practice Guidance.
  • It received a score of 21-30% in the 2022 Fashion Transparency Index.
  • There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
  • It claims to have a program to improve wages but there’s no evidence it ensures its workers are paid living wages in most of 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 Cotton On Body “Good”. It doesn’t appear to use animal-derived materials but doesn’t claim to be a vegan brand.

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

Last updated June 2023