OVS

OVS's rating applies to the OVS house fashion brand only and doesn’t apply to other product categories. Check the individual ratings to learn about the other brands that OVS stocks.

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 follows an unsustainable fast fashion model due to its consistently low price points and aggressive marketing practices.
• It uses a medium proportion of lower-impact materials, and it publishes an aggregate breakdown of materials used.
• It uses lower-impact materials that help limit the chemicals, water, and wastewater in its supply chain.
• 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.
• It offers clothing recycling to consumers to help address end-of-life textile waste.
• Its packaging is recyclable.

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

• It partly traces its supply chain including the final and some of the second production stages.
• Some of its second stage is located in low risk countries or certified facilities, however it does not publish an aggregate breakdown of suppliers.
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its 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 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 OVS “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It appears to use leather, wool, and cashmere.
• Some of its animal-derived materials consist of recycled or certified alternatives to conventional wool.
• It doesn’t appear to use angora, fur, exotic animal skin, shearling, alpaca, mohair, or down.
• It has a formal policy but it is not aligned with the Five Domains of Animal Welfare.
• It’s committed to eliminating all animal-derived materials but has not set a target date.

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