New Era

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 Era “Very Poor”. These are a few factors influencing its score: 

• It uses some lower impact materials including recycled materials.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking meaningful action to reduce its climate impacts.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking meaningful action to reduce water use.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking actions to protect biodiversity in its supply chain.

Workers’ rights are central to our “People” rating, which assesses brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labour to living wages and gender equality. Here we rate New Era “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Part of its final production stage is certified by Fair Labor Association (FLA).
• It traces some of its supply chain.
• The brand claims to audit some of its supply chain but doesn’t specify what percentage.
• It claims it has a Code of Conduct but does not publicly disclose it.
• 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 New Era “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• There’s no evidence it has an animal welfare policy.
• It appears to use leather, wool, down and exotic animal hair. 
• It doesn’t appear to use fur, angora, or exotic animal skin.

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