Icebreaker scores 2 out of 16 at Rank a Brand: Compare how transparent, green and fair your favorite brands are

Icebreaker Info

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2 out of 16
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Brand Owner: Icebreaker
Head Office: Wellington, New Zealand
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Sportswear
Free Tags: Outdoors, Sporty, Accessories, Kids, Snow

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Last Updated: 22 January 2012
Last Verified: 22 January 2012

Icebreaker Score Report

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

2 out of 4


1. Is there a policy for the brand (company) to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions?	Icebreaker mentions several policy measures to reduce carbon emissions. For example, a tree is planted for every new member of the Icebreaker website. And for the transportation of goods, Icebreakers claims this is done by sea 'wherever possible'.	SOURCE
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual carbon footprint of its 'own operations' and has the brand already reduced or compensated 10% of these emissions in the last 5 years?	Icebreaker makes several sustainability claims, but does not provide an annual carbon footprint. So it is not clear if the company has actually reduced its carbon emissions in the last years. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices.	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?	Icebreaker does not communicate any time frame or clear targets for reducing carbon emissions. Sustainability information should be clear and easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices.	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?	Icebreaker claims that all manufacturing contractors are required to be part of, or working toward, a global environmental assurance programme, such as ISO 14001. This includes continuous improvement, also for reducing carbon emissions.	SOURCE

Questions about Environmental Policy

0 out of 4


1. Does the brand (company) use environmentally 'preferred' raw materials for more than 5% of its volume?	Icebreaker products are 100% made of merino wool, which is not classified as an environmentally 'preferred' fiber by default. Icebreaker claims that all wool is 'ethically' certified by Zque. But it is not clear what the Zque standards are, the Zque website only contains promotional video's.	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. Does the brand (company) have an environmental policy related to the ‘wet processes’ within the production cycle, like bleaching and dying of fabrics?	Icebreaker demands from suppliers to work towards ISO 14001 or Oeko-tex. However, no specific information found and it is not clear which of the Oeko-tex standards is used.	SOURCE

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

0 out of 8


1. Does the brand (company) have a supplier Code of Conduct (CoC) which includes the following standards: No forced or slave labour, no child labour, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace?	Icerbreaker has not published a supplier Code of Conduct on its website. The website mentions that workers must be aged at least 17, and that the work environment must be healthy. However, there is no mentioning of standards against forced labor or discrimination.	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 paid overtime of 12 hours maximum 3. to have a sufficient living wage?	1. Not mentioned; 2. No, maximum workweek is 48 hours plus 12 hours overtime, overtime may be mandatory; 3. No, mentioning of minimum wage, not living wage.	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?	Icebreaker does not communicate any detailed information on free association rights for workers within their Code of Conduct, if there is one, on its website. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices.	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?	Icebreaker does not provide a significant published list of direct suppliers on its website. However, there is a track and trace system (which did not work at the day of checking, 21-1-2012). So it is not clear in what factories the products are made.	SOURCE
5. Is the brand (company) a member of a collective initiative that aims to improve labour conditions, or does the brand (company) purchase its supplies from accredited factories with improved labour conditions?	Icebreaker does not communicate any information on being part of a collective initiative for improving labour rights or their purchases from labour-related accredited suppliers on its website.	SOURCE
6. Do independent civil society organizations like NGO's and labour unions have a decisive voice in this collective initiative or in these certification schemes?	See remark for labor conditions question 5.	SOURCE
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labour conditions policy?	Icebreaker does not provide an annual report on the results of its labour conditions policy on its website. Goals are stated on website, but no results.	SOURCE
8. Has the brand's labour conditions policy resulted in a 'compliance level' of at least 30% of the purchase volume, or a 'monitored level' of at least 80%?	Icebreaker does not communicate any information on compliance and monitoring levels of labour conditions on its website.	SOURCE