Let's be fair | Safe, just and equal fashion | H&M (2024)

Can fashion be fair? Yes!

Here are some of our key initiatives

Fair wages

Our products are made by over 700 suppliers around the world. Together we’re working to improve wage management systems in order to ensure that everybody’s individual skills are taken into account. Our work on factory level has also resulted in democratically elected worker representatives for over 1.1 million garment workers.

A ban on forced labour and child labour

We take a zero-tolerance approach to both forced labor and child labor. All suppliers working for us must sign and comply with our strict anti-forced-labor and anti-child-labor policies. In 2022, we identified 0 cases of child labor.

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Animal welfare

For us, it’s quite simple. We believe all animals deserve just treatment and shouldn’t be objected to suffering. This is why we aim to only source animal-based materials from farms with good animal care, breeding and management. That’s also why we don’t perform beauty tests on any animals, and why we’re exploring ways to replace materials like wool, leather and down with more sustainable alternatives. Fur has been a big no-no from the very start.

DID YOU KNOW?

We’ve been named one of the most ethical companies in the world by Ethisphere® nine times.

Let's be fair | Safe, just and equal fashion | H&M (2024)

FAQs

What is H&M's response to child labor? ›

A ban on forced labor and child labor

We take a zero-tolerance approach to both forced labor and child labor. All suppliers working for us must sign and comply with our strict anti-forced-labor and anti-child-labor policies. In 2022, we identified 0 cases of child labor.

What is the H&M sustainability scandal? ›

In addition to these profiles, the lawsuit alleges that H&M makes various misrepresentations regarding the sustainable nature of its products, including H&M's ability to close-the-loop and prevent textiles from going to the landfill through its recycling program.

What is the H&M Code of Ethics? ›

Code of Ethics for business partners is a global policy, a business code, based on our business values – honesty, integrity, transparency, and fair play.

What is fair and ethical fashion? ›

At its core, ethical fashion advocates for fair treatment of workers, environmentally sustainable practices, and social responsibility. It challenges the conventional, often exploitative, fashion industry norms, paving the way for a more conscientious approach to style.

Is shein child labor? ›

Does Shein use child labor? Unfortunately the answer is, more than likely. China, like the US, has child labor laws that prohibit employment for children under 16, restrict children from working in hazardous environments, and limit the number of hours children in school can work.

Does Forever 21 use child labor? ›

Forever 21 instead purchases goods from vendors who are required to follow our policies and procedures which expressly prohibit the use of forced, slave, child, or prison labor, or labor from closed or freedom-restricted countries (i.e., the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (“North Korea”), to manufacture the ...

What is H&M biggest scandal? ›

Also in 2018, factories that supply H&M were named in reports by Global Labour Justice detailing abuse of female garment workers, and more recently in 2023, workers' rights abuses from the brand's suppliers in Myanmar came to light. Clearly, there is still a long way to go.

What is the H&M controversy? ›

Fashion giant H&M has pulled a controversial advertisem*nt for school uniforms after it was accused of sexualising young children, as per a report in the Independent. Several people said that it had a "highly inappropriate" caption.

What is the H&M and Zara controversy? ›

Clothing giants H&M and Zara have been linked to large-scale illegal deforestation, land-grabbing, violence and corruption in the Brazilian Cerrado, according to an investigation by Earthsight.

What does the H&M stand for in H&M clothing? ›

What does the H and M stand for? The H&M is the abbreviation for Hennes and Mauritz. In Swedish, Hennes means “hers.” The store was designed keeping women in mind. Later on, they started selling men's fashion clothing as well. Hennes acquired Mauritz — the huntsman apparel store, hence the name H&M.

Is H&M an ethical store? ›

H&M is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative. Being a member of this initiative encourages a company to make progress and work for greater traceability and welfare of workers in its supply chain. It has received a good score for our Ethical Trading Initiative criteria.

What does H&M believe in? ›

We believe in people

We are the best we can be and bring out the best in everyone and the business. We empower and trust others to take ownership and embrace diverse perspectives. We listen to and learn from our colleagues.

Is luxury fashion more ethical? ›

Some matters are bigger in luxury than in fast fashion, such as the use of exotic animal skin and fur, while others, like poor working conditions and a lack of transparency around water management, are just as prevalent at both ends of the industry.

Are fast fashion brands ethical? ›

Fast fashion is widely considered to be low-quality apparel produced rapidly to follow current trends in the industry and sold at rock-bottom prices. Although the monetary cost is low, textile workers and the environment are paying a high price. Fast fashion is cheap because workers are not paid adequately.

Why is ethical fashion so expensive? ›

Recycling, including cleaning, sorting, and repurposing, contributes to the higher prices of sustainable clothing. However, socially conscious consumers understand that this cost reflects the brand's dedication to positively impacting the environment and creating a more sustainable fashion industry.

How does H&M treat their workers? ›

We believe feedback and work assessments are crucial for our employees' development and satisfaction. For us, employees' personal and professional development is an integral part of H&M's development. Our annual evaluations and salary reviews are just some of our tools to ensure their growth.

What is the labour issue with H&M? ›

The world's second-biggest fashion retailer, H&M, has announced it has decided to gradually stop sourcing from Myanmar, as reports of labour abuses in garment factories in the country increase.

What was the solution to child labor? ›

1938: The U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act restricted hours and types of jobs for individuals under age 16. 1973: The Minimum Age Convention, ratified by 172 countries, established the minimum age for employment with some exceptions.

How do you respond to child labor? ›

Here are a few tips for helping end child labor:
  1. Educate yourself. ...
  2. Contact retail stores, manufacturers, and importers. ...
  3. Buy fair trade and sweatshop-free products whenever possible. ...
  4. Grow more of your own food. ...
  5. Share your time and money. ...
  6. Contact local, regional, and national legislators.
Jun 1, 2017

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