River Island

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

• It uses some lower-impact materials including recycled materials.
• It follows an unsustainable fast fashion model with quickly changing trends and regular new styles.
• There’s no evidence it’s taking actions to protect biodiversity 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’s set a target to eliminate hazardous chemicals but does not disclose whether it is on track.

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 River Island “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It sources its final stage of production from countries with extreme risk of labour abuse.
• There’s no evidence it provides financial security to its suppliers, which can result in poor working conditions and wages.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• It audits its suppliers but does not state how often.
• 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 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 River Island “Not Good Enough”. 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 exotic animal hair.
• It doesn’t appear to use fur, angora, 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 River Island “Not Good Enough” overall.