Rank a Brand

How sustainable is G-Star ?

G-Star & sustainability


G-Star

9 out of 17

Sustainability summary

Brand owner: G-Star Raw C.V.
Head office: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sector: Denim & jeans
Categories : Male, Female
Free Tags: G-Star, Bags, Caps, Shirts, Pullover, Jackets, Jeans, Dress, Shoes, Boots

Compare other brands

What's your sustainability news about G-Star?

G-Star sustainability score report

Last edited: 30 April 2013 by Mario
Last reviewed: 30 April 2013 by Mario

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

1 out of 4
1. Is there a policy for the brand to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions?? On the 'sustainable operations' page, G-Star briefly explains its policy to reduce carbon emissions. Source
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual absolute carbon footprint of its 'own operations' (Scope 1 & 2) and has the brand already reduced or compensated 10% of these emissions in the last 5 years? G-Star says it has calculated its carbon footprint, but results are not found on its website, so it's not clear if 10% has been reduced in the last five years. Source
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce the carbon footprint of its 'own operations' by at least 20% within the next 5 years? G-Star claims to implement various measures to reduce carbon emissions, but does not give concrete figures or percentages of reduction it strives for. Source
4. Does the brand (company) also have a policy to reduce/compensate carbon emissions generated from the product supply chain that is beyond own operations? G-Star has included guidelines on climate protection in its supplier code of conduct. However, no tangible results or policy measures are comunicated yet (see link, page 9). Source

Questions about Environmental Policy

2 out of 4
1. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 5% of its volume? G-Star has used 9.5 % of preferable materials such as organic cotton or recycled polyester for its entire collection in 2012. Source
2. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 10% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
3. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 25% of its volume? See remark for environmental policy question 1. Source
4. Is there a policy for the brand (company) to eliminate all hazardous chemicals from the whole lifecycle and all production procedures? With other companies as Nike and Puma, G-Star has signed a Zero-Discharge Commitment. Companies that signed this document promise to 'eliminate all hazardous chemicals from the whole lifecycle and all production procedures that are associated with the making and using of company's products, by 2020'. Source

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

6 out of 9
1. Does the brand (company) have a supplier Code of Conduct (CoC) which includes the following standards: No forced or slave labor, no child labor, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace? All standards are mentioned in G-Star Supplier Code of Conduct (see points 1, 3, 4 and 7). Source
2. Does this CoC include at least two of the following workers rights: 1. to have a formally registered employment relationship 2. to have a maximum working week of 48 hours with voluntary and paid overtime of 12 hours maximum 3. to have a sufficient living wage? 1. Yes, see point 8. 2. Yes, see point 6. 3. No, mentioning of minimum wage, not living wage (see point 5.1). Source
3. Does this Code of Conduct include the right for workers to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; and in those situations where these rights are restricted under law, the right to facilitate parallel means of independent and free association and bargaining? This right is mentioned, with reference to parallel means for the situation of law restrictions (see point 2). Source
4. Does the brand (company) have a published list of direct suppliers, that have collectively contributed to more than 90% of the purchase volume? G-Star has not published their list of direct suppliers. Source
5. Is the brand (company) a member of a collective initiative that aims to improve labor conditions, or does the brand (company) purchase its supplies from accredited factories with improved labor conditions? G-Star is a partner of Made-By. Source
6. Do independent civil society organizations like NGO's and labor unions have a decisive voice in this collective initiative or in these certification schemes? Made-By is acknowledged as a ‘Multi Stakeholder Initiative’ (MSI). Source
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labor conditions policy? Since G-Star only recently joined Made-By, its first score cards will be published in 2013. Source
8. Has the brand’s labor conditions policy resulted in a ‘compliance level’ of at least 30% of the purchase volume, or a ‘monitored level' of at least 80%? See remark for labor conditions policy question 7. Source
9. Does the brand (company) have a clear and effective health and safety policy for the workers in the finishing process of jeans, at least covering the ban on sandblasting? G-Star openly communicates that sandblasting is not allowed (see link, click on 'Sustainable processing'). Source