Let's be fair | Safe, just & 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

Wage reduction and wage theft were the most frequently reported allegations, followed by unfair dismissal, inhumane work rates, and forced overtime, according to a report by the non-governmental organisation, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Zara and H&M sold clothing potentially manufactured with cotton sourced from Brazilian farms associated with land grabbing, illegal deforestation, and human rights violations, as reported by Earthsight.