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 organic cotton.
• It produces long-lasting products.
• It’s eliminated some hazardous chemicals but has not made a commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
• 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 implements water reduction initiatives 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 Burberry “It’s a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Most of its final production stage happens in the European Union, a low/medium risk region for labour abuse.
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• It has an external grievance mechanism for workers to report concerns like harassment and unpaid wages but the process isn’t anonymous.
• 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 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 has a basic animal welfare policy.
• It appears to use leather, wool, and exotic animal hair.
• Responsible Down Standard certifies most of the down it uses.
• 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 Burberry “It’s a Start” overall.