Rip Curl

Rip Curl is owned by KMD Brands.

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 Rip Curl “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.
• 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 assess brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labour to living wages and gender equality. Here we rate Rip Curl “It’s a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• Its entire final production stage is certified by Fair Labor Association (FLA).
• There’s no evidence it supports diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.
• It partly traces its supply chain including the final and some of the second production stages.
• It provides direct training for its suppliers to help improve working conditions.
• It ensures some workers in the final production stage are paid living wages, though not through its entire supply chain.
• 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 Rip Curl “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It’s published a general statement about minimising animal suffering but not a formal animal welfare policy.
• It appears to use leather, wool, and exotic animal skin.
• Responsible Down Standard certifies some of the down it uses.
• It doesn’t appear to use fur, angora, or exotic animal hair.
• It traces some animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

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