ESSEN

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 ESSEN “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses some lower-impact materials including upcycled materials.
• To minimise waste, its products are made-to-order.
• To reduce its climate impacts, it uses renewable energy in its supply chain.
• It uses low-waste cutting techniques to maximise fabric use.

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 ESSEN “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It partly traces its supply chain including the final and some of the second production stages.
• Most of its final production stage happens in the European Union, a low/medium risk region for labour abuse.
• 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.

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 ESSEN “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It’s published a general statement about minimising animal suffering but not a formal animal welfare policy.
• It uses some recycled leather in its leather products.
• It doesn’t appear to use wool, down, fur, angora, exotic animal hair, or exotic animal skin.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate ESSEN “Good” overall.