New Balance

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

• It uses some lower-impact materials including recycled materials, however 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 claims it’s not on track.
• It trains its designers to improve the circularity of its products.
• 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 New Balance “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• More than half its final production stage is certified by Fair Labor Association (FLA).
• It has a basic policy to support diversity and inclusion in its direct operations and supply chain.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO principles.
• Its initiatives help provide financial security for its suppliers, which can ensure better job conditions for workers.
• It ensures some workers in the final production stage are paid living wages.
• During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, it disclosed some 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 New Balance “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It appears to use leather, wool, and down.
• Some of its animal-derived materials consist of recycled or certified alternatives to conventional down.
• It doesn’t appear to use angora, fur, exotic animal skin, shearling, cashmere, alpaca, or mohair.
• 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 New Balance “It's a Start” overall.