H&M changes focus for leather policy
09/04/2015
It joined the Leather Working Group in 2009 and previously committed to gradually increase the use of leather that is either graded by the LWG or certified organic.
However, it stated: “These currently do not cover all critical issues in leather production, such as key labour, health and safety and animal welfare aspects. While we are still promoting the use of these certifications, this is why, during the year, we made the decision to focus our efforts on reworking our strategy for leather products to also take these aspects into account.
“As part of this we are focused on adding social criteria as well as animal welfare standards. And we are further developing related tools such as a closer integration of leather tanneries into our auditing and supply chain management systems and improved material traceability.”
In the report, H&M says it is committed to sustainability. Forty million plastic bottles were used in its recycled polyester clothing in 2014 and 7,684 tonnes of used garments were collected. It is the number one user of organic cotton – certified organic cotton, Better Cotton or recycled cotton represented 13.7% of total cotton use – and says by the end of the year, wherever possible, it will only use renewable energy (80% of total use).
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