GU

GU is owned by Fast Retailing.

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

• It uses some lower-impact materials including recycled materials but 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.
• While it offers clothing recycling to consumers, it doesn’t report on its results.
• It’s published a biodiversity protection policy that applies to some of its supply chain.
• It’s set a target to eliminate hazardous chemicals after 2025 but does not disclose whether it is on track.

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 GU “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Its social auditing program is accredited by the Fair Labor Association (FLA).
• Its initiatives help provide financial security for its suppliers, which can ensure better job conditions for workers.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• It provides leadership programs for women in some of its supply chain, which can lead to promotions and higher wages.
• 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. Here we rate GU “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It appears to use leather.
• It doesn’t appear to use fur, angora, exotic animal skin, shearling, wool, cashmere, alpaca, mohair, or down.
• 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 GU “It's a Start” overall.