K-Swiss scores 3 out of 16 at Rank a Brand: Compare how transparent, green and fair your favorite brands are

K-Swiss Info

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3 out of 16
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Brand Owner: K-Swiss, Inc.
Head Office: Westlake Village, USA
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Footwear
Free Tags: Sporty, Sports, Kswiss, Sneakers

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Last Updated: 21 November 2011
Last Verified: 21 November 2011

K-Swiss Score Report

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

0 out of 4


1. Is there a policy for the brand (company) to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions?	K-Swiss has a sustainable mission statement that mentions the reduction of carbon emissions. But it is not clear what the policy is to pursue this mission statement.	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?	K-Swiss does not communicate any information on its carbon reduction policies on its website.	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?	See remark for climate change policy question 2	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?	See remark for climate change policy question 2	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?	In the mission statement K-Swiss states the company tries 'to do our part in ensuring that the Earth we know is here for generations ahead to share and enjoy, and we hope you'll join us by doing your part in making a difference.' It is not clear what this means in terms of using preferred raw materials or material processing.	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?	See remark for environmental policy question 1.	SOURCE

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

3 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?	K-Swiss follows the SA8000 standards (see 'social responsibility in link'). For CoC SA8000, see link questions 2&3 below. In this CoC, all these standards are mentioned (see pages 5,6 & 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 paid overtime of 12 hours maximum 3. to have a sufficient living wage?	K-Swiss follows the SA8000 standards (see 'social responsibility'). All of these standards are mentioned.	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 page 6&7).	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?	K-Swiss does not provide a significant published list of direct suppliers on its website.	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?	According to K-Swiss website, "all factory owners have agreed to implement the SA8000 Standard". However, there is no report on progress or certificates and K-Swiss is not a member of the SAI group. So K-Swiss has not published any evidence of official engagement.	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 labour conditions question 5.	SOURCE
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labour conditions policy?	See remark for labour conditions question 5.	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%?	See remark for labour conditions question 5.	SOURCE