Gildan

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

• It uses some lower-impact materials including recycled materials.
• To reduce its climate impacts, it uses renewable energy in its supply chain.
• There’s no evidence it’s set a target to manage water use in its supply chain.
• 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 Gildan “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It traces most of its supply chain.
• More than half its final production stage is certified by [BSCI], [FLA], [SMETA] and [WRAP].
• It has initiatives to empower vulnerable women and girls in its supply chain.
• 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 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. Since Gildan makes products that are generally free of animal-derived materials, we’ve not rated its impact on animals. Its overall rating is based on its combined People and Planet scores.

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