UGG

UGG is owned by Deckers 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 UGG “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 has a policy to reduce the chemical-heavy chromium processes in its leather tanning.
• It produces long-lasting products.

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 UGG “It’s a Start”. 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.
• It has a comprehensive policy to support diversity and inclusion in its direct operations but not its supply chain.
• It provides a confidential complaints mechanism for workers in its supply chain to report harassment or violence.
• Its Code of Conduct covers ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles.
• 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 UGG “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It has a formal policy aligned with the Five Freedoms of animal welfare and clear implementation mechanisms in place.
• It appears to use leather.
• It uses recycled wool or wool certified by the Responsible Wool Standard in most of its wool products.
• Responsible Down Standard certifies the down it uses.
• It doesn’t appear to use exotic animal hair, fur, angora, or exotic animal skin.
• It traces most animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

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