Balenciaga

Balenciaga is owned by Kering.

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

• It uses some lower-impact materials, however it does not publish an aggregate breakdown of materials used.
• It offers resale of second hand products.
• 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.
• It has a policy to protect biodiversity throughout its supply chain.
• It implements water reduction activities 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 Balenciaga “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Much of its final stage is located in low risk countries or certified facilities, however it does not publish an aggregate breakdown of suppliers.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• It audits some of its supply chain including all of the final production stage.
• It has an internal grievance mechanism for workers in its supply chain to anonymously report concerns like harassment and unpaid wages.
• 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 Balenciaga “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

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

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