Cotton On

Cotton On is owned by Cotton On.

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 Cotton On “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It follows an unsustainable fast fashion model due to its consistently low price points and very large number of products.
• It uses few lower-impact materials, and it does not publish an aggregate breakdown of materials used.
• It uses renewable energy in its direct operations (such as stores or offices) but not in its supply chain.
• It takes some action to reduce water use in the second production stage.
• To minimise waste, it recycles some of its textile offcuts.
• It provides evidence on its efforts to minimise packaging.

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 Cotton On “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Some 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 supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO principles.
• It audits some of its supply chain including all of the final production stage.
• Its initiatives help provide financial security for its suppliers, which can ensure better job conditions for workers.
• 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 did not disclose adequate policies or safeguards 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 Cotton On “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It appears to use leather, wool, and down.
• It doesn’t appear to use angora, fur, exotic animal hair, shearling, cashmere, alpaca, or mohair.
• It has a formal policy but it is not aligned with the Five Domains of Animal Welfare.
• It uses few animal-derived materials.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate Cotton On “Not Good Enough” overall.