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

• It uses some lower-impact materials, and it does not publish an aggregate breakdown of materials used..
• 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.
• To minimise waste, it recycles some of its textile offcuts.
• Its packaging is recyclable.

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:

• There’s no evidence it provides financial security to its suppliers, which can result in poor working conditions and wages.
• It sources its final stage of production from countries with extreme risk of labour abuse.
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO principles.
• The brand claims to audit some of its supply chain but doesn’t specify what percentage.
• 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 “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It appears to use leather and shearling.
• Some of its animal-derived materials consist of recycled or certified alternatives to conventional leather.
• It doesn’t appear to use exotic animal skin, fur, angora, wool, cashmere, alpaca, mohair, or 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 Dr. Martens “Not Good Enough” overall.