OVS

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

• It uses some lower-impact materials including organic cotton.
• It’s set a science based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supply chain, and it claims it’s on track.
• It’s eliminated some hazardous chemicals but has not made a commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
• It’s published a biodiversity protection policy that applies to some of 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 OVS “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Some of its supply chain is certified by Business Social Compliance Initiative Code of Conduct - BSCI, Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit - SMETA Best Practice Guidance, and Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production - WRAP.
• It sources its final stage of production from countries with extreme risk of labour abuse.
• 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, though not in its entire supply chain.
• There’s no evidence it implements practices to support diversity and inclusion in 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 OVS “It’s a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It has a formal policy aligned with the Five Freedoms of animal welfare but few clear implementation mechanisms in place.
• It appears to use leather, wool, down, and silk.
• It doesn’t appear to use fur, angora, exotic animal hair, or exotic animal skin.
• It traces some animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

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