Image credit: Y-3

Y-3

Rated: Good

price:
$$$$

location: Germany

Y-3 has good policies to manage hazardous chemical in its supply chain but is not taking adequate steps to ensure payment of a living wage for its workers.

Y-3 sustainability rating

Planet

4 out of 5

People

4 out of 5

Animals

3 out of 5

Overall rating: Good

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


Y-3 is owned by Adidas Group.

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 Y-3 “Good”. 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 has set a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its own operations and supply chain but it is not on track to meet its target.
  • It’s set a target to eliminate hazardous chemicals by 2025 and claims it’s on track.

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 Y-3 “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

  • Its social auditing program is accredited by Fair Labor Association (FLA), covering its entire final production stage.
  • It received a score of 51-60% in the 2022 Fashion Transparency Index.
  • It has a limited policy to support 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 disclosed adequate 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 Y-3 “It’s a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

  • It has a formal policy aligned with the Five Freedoms of animal welfare but no clear implementation mechanisms in place.
  • It appears to use leather and exotic animal hair.
  • Responsible Wool Standard certifies some of the wool it sources.
  • It uses some recycled down in its products.
  • It doesn’t appear to use fur, angora, or exotic animal skin.
  • It traces some animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate Y-3 “Good” overall.

Last updated March 2023