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

Lee Info

Rank a Brand score:

2 out of 16
Please scroll down the score report.

Brand Owner: VF Corporation
Head Office: Greensboro, NC, USA
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Denim & Jeans
Free Tags: Basic.

Widget

EMAIL BRAND

Lee Logo

Find out how green, fair and transparent your favorite brands are.

Compare Other brands

BRAND NAME Brand_name_botline

PERFORMANCE Brand_name_botline

Last Updated: 26 April 2012
Last Verified: 19 April 2012

Lee Score Report

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

1 out of 4


1. Is there a policy for the brand (company) to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions?	VFC (brand owner of Lee) has taken several policy measures to redcue its carbon emissions, such as the installation of more efficient lighting and HVAC systems, lighting sensors, variable speed controllers, proper insulation and timers.	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?	VFC publicly reports its carbon footprint on the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) section in its website. In 2010, it had a total footprint of approximately 300,000 metric tons of CO2eq/yr, which is an increase of 1,8% compared to 2009.	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?	VFC states it "is in the process of identifying carbon reduction opportunities, setting GHG reduction targets and developing a comprehensive carbon management strategy".	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?	Although VFC states that it does business with partners who share VFC's commitment to the environment and conduct their business in a way that is consistent with the company's Environmental Compliance Guidelines, VFC does not mention a concrete policy on reducing carbon emissions in its supply chain yet.	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?	Neither Lee nor VF Corporation communicates any information on an environmental policy on its website. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices.	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

1 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?	All standards are mentioned in VF Corporation's Global Compliance Principles (see page 1 & 2).	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 working week of 60 hours, not clear whether overtime is voluntary; 3. No, mention of minimum legal wage, not living wage (see page 1 & 2).	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?	Freedom of association is mentioned, but nothing found about situations in which this right is restricted by law (see page 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?	VF Corporation publishes the location of their suppliers from around the world. However, no significant list of direct suppliers has been made available (see page 7 & 8).	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?	VF Corporation's owned factories undergo certification by WRAP, but it is unclear what the current percentage of certfied factories is. Also, VF Coporation does not communicate any membership to an MSI.	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?	VF Corporation conducts audits on its suppliers at least once a year (see page 18), but the most recent report is from 2005.	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 labor conditions question 7.	SOURCE