Burberry

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

• It uses some lower-impact materials including recycled materials.
• It produces long-lasting products.
• To minimise waste, it recycles some of its textile offcuts.
• It avoids plastic packaging.
• It’s set a science based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supply chain, and it claims it’s on track.
• It’s eliminated some hazardous chemicals but has not made a commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.

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 Burberry “It's a Start”. 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.
• There’s no evidence it provides financial security to its suppliers, which can result in poor working conditions and wages.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• It has an external grievance mechanism for workers to report concerns like harassment and unpaid wages but the process isn’t anonymous.
• It provides modern slavery awareness training for its suppliers.
• It ensures some workers in the final production stage are paid living wages.
• 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 Burberry “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

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

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