WE Fashion

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 WE Fashion “Not Good Enough”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It follows an unsustainable fast fashion model due to its aggressive marketing practices and very large number of products
• It uses a medium proportion of lower-impact materials, and it publishes an aggregate breakdown of materials used.
• It’s eliminated some hazardous chemicals but has not made a commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
• While it donates used clothes to charity, there’s no evidence it minimises textile waste in its supply chain.
• 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 WE Fashion “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• More than half its final production stage is certified by Business Social Compliance Initiative Code of Conduct - BSCI, Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit - SMETA Best Practice Guidance, and Better Cotton Initiative.
• 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 principles.
• It audits some of its supply chain including all of the final production stage.
• It has an external grievance mechanism for workers in its supply chain to anonymously report concerns like harassment and unpaid wages.
• 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 did not disclose adequate policies or safeguards 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 WE Fashion “It's a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

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

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