Primark

Primark is owned by Associated British Foods.

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

• It uses some lower-impact materials including recycled materials.
• 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 follows an unsustainable fast fashion model with quickly changing trends and regular new styles.
• It’s eliminated some hazardous chemicals but has not made a commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
• It trains its designers to improve the circularity of its products.
• While it offers resale of second hand products, there’s no evidence it’s taking further action to address textile waste 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 Primark “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.
• It sources its final stage of production from countries with extreme risk of labour abuse.
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• It has an internal grievance mechanism for workers in its supply chain to anonymously report concerns like harassment and unpaid wages.
• It provides workplace harassment and violence awareness training for its suppliers.
• There’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages 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 Primark “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It has an animal welfare policy aligned but is not aligned with the Five Domains.
• 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 Primark “It’s a Start” overall.