New Balance

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 New Balance “It’s a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses some lower-impact materials including recycled materials.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking actions to protect biodiversity in its supply chain.
• It’s set a science based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supply chain but there’s no evidence it is on track.
• To minimise waste, it recycles some of its textile offcuts.

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 New Balance “It’s a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Its social auditing program is accredited by Fair Labor Association (FLA).
• It audits most of its suppliers.
• It has initiatives to empower vulnerable women and girls in its supply chain.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• It has some initiatives to help provide financial security for its suppliers, which can ensure better job conditions for workers.
• It ensures some workers in the final production stage are paid living wages, though not in its entire supply chain.
• During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it disclosed some policies 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 New Balance “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• There’s no evidence it has an animal welfare policy.
• It appears to use leather, wool, exotic animal skin, and down.
• It doesn’t appear to use exotic animal hair, fur, or angora.
• There’s no evidence it traces any animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

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