Is H&M Ethical? Everything You Need to Know

H&M have spent millions making in their bid to be more sustainable, working with celebrities and influencers on eco-conscious campaigns – but is H&M ethical or sustainable and do they use ethical practices behind the scenes?

Although H&M has made some efforts to improve its sustainability and ethics, the business model it uses to do so is still fast fashion.

Detailed information about H&M is provided below.

Table of Contents

Is H&M Ethical?

H&M topped the 2020 Fashion Transparency Index, first place with a score between 71 and 80%.

While many companies conceal the specifics of their working conditions, H&M publishes a clear and comprehensive list of its final-stage suppliers, as well as information about its supplier policies, audits, remediation processes, and policies on forced labor, gender equality, and freedom of association.

To ensure that each employee’s unique skills are considered when determining wages, H&M claims to be working to improve wage management systems.’

But according to Good On You, the company hasn’t shown that it guarantees a living wage throughout its supply chain. Furthermore, it is alleged that H&M’s supply chain is not approved by labor standards, which guarantee the health and safety of workers and other labor rights like living wages.

H&M received praise for paying suppliers for all orders that were completed and those that were still being processed under COVID-19. Additionally, they provide policies to shield its suppliers and employees from the effects of the virus, but it’s not clear if these are fully implemented.

The brand is doing better than fast-fashion companies like Boohoo and Pretty Little Thing because it has been named one of the most ethical businesses in the world eight times by Ethisphere&reg.

Is H&M Sustainable?

H&M have made a good start on becoming sustainable. The company said in December 2020 that it would be investing 72 million pounds into its Planet First program, which aims to find “planet positive” technologies that take into account all facets of the planet’s natural support systems in addition to the circular economy and climate change.’

It offers Conscious collections made from sustainably sourced materials and goods returned to in-store recycling bins. Some products use eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester.

In addition to using renewable energy for a portion of its supply chain and having a policy to prevent deforestation of ancient and endangered forests, the brand has set some promising goals for 2019 in its comprehensive Sustainability Report.

Is H&M Fast Fashion?

Fast fashion is undoubtedly available at H&M.

First and foremost, the Swedish business relies on a model of rapid mass production and sale of fashionable, inexpensive clothing.

The H&M fast fashion business model is based on the release of new collections every few weeks, which motivates customers to make more frequent purchases and stay abreast of the most recent fashion trends.

H&M Animal Welfare

H&M is heading in the right direction for animals by having a formal animal welfare policy aligned with identifying some animal products’ initial point of production and the “Five Freedoms.”

It uses down that has been approved by the Responsible Down Standard and wool from sheep that have not been mulessed. The use of fur, angora, and skins from exotic animals was also prohibited.

While claiming that by 2025 it will be completely traceable and certified to a reliable standard, it does use leather and hair from exotic animals.

Until then, it is at least able to pinpoint the beginning of the production process for some animal products. Thanks to this progress, H&M’s rating has risen to “It’s a Start” for the animals.

H&M Labour Conditions

The fast fashion brand H&M has faced criticism over the labor conditions in its supply chain.

The company has been accused of using sweatshop labor and not providing its workers with fair wages and safe working conditions.

Final Thoughts: is H&M Ethical

H&M is a fast fashion company with frequent collection releases and low prices that contribute to the fast fashion industry’s negative impacts on the environment and society.

Although H&M has made some efforts to improve its sustainability and ethics, the company continues to use a fast fashion business model.

It follows that it would be wiser to put your hard-earned money in businesses that deserve it.

FAQs

Is H&M a Fast Fashion Brand?

H&M, one of the many fast fashion retailers with more than 5,000 locations worldwide, is well-known for its imitation of high-end styles, quick turnover of its inventory, and unsustainably produced business practices.

Is H&M More Sustainable Than Zara?

H&M had the highest percentage of sustainable clothing lines among the surveyed fast fashion retailers in Europe in the first quarter of 2021, at nearly 25%.

Why is UNIQLO Better Than H&M?

Uniqlo designs are typically more straightforward and useful than those offered by Zara and H&M, and as a result, they appeal to a different market.