Dr. Martens

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 Dr. Martens “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses few lower-impact materials.
• It uses renewable energy in its direct operations (such as stores or offices) but not in its supply chain.
• There’s no evidence it minimises solvent-based chemicals, which can be harmful to workers and the environment in production.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking actions to protect biodiversity 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 Dr. Martens “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Some of its supply chain is certified by Workplace Condition Assessment (WCA).
• It received a score of 31-40% in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index.
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• There’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages in 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 Dr. Martens “Not Good Enough”. 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 shearling.
• It has a policy to source wool from non-mulesed sheep but doesn’t provide any evidence to verify its claims.
• It doesn’t appear to use down, fur, angora, exotic animal skin, or exotic animal hair.
• There’s no evidence it traces any animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

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