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

New Balance Info

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3 out of 16
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Brand Owner: New Balance
Head Office: Boston, USA
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Sportswear, Footwear
Free Tags: Multi-Sports

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Last Updated: 2 February 2011
Last Verified: 27 September 2011

New Balance 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?	New Balance has various policy measures to reduce carbon emissions, such as recycling waste, using renewable energy and adjusting energy management systems.	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?	New Balance does not publish the carbon footprint of its own operations or mention future targets. It does report some reduction of GHG's in the manufacturing process, however, its unclear what % of the total footprint this represents.	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 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 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?	New Balance uses some environmentally preferred materials (EPM's), but it is not clear what percentage of the total volume this represents. They've set a range of targets to increase EPM's in a portion of their shoes, but haven't stated their progress towards meeting these targets.	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?	New Balance has eliminated the use of PVCs from its footwear and is measuring and reducing amounts of chemicals used in factories overseas, but does not provide any clear policies or rules.	SOURCE

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

2 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 New Balance Code of Conduct (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 is 48 hours, but it is not clear whether overtime is voluntary; 3. No, mentioning of minimum and industrial 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?	This right is mentioned, with reference to parallel means for the situation of law restrictions (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?	New Balance provides a list of US-based factories, which account for approximately 25% of production. However, it has not published a complete list of active 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?	New balance does not communicate any information of a membership of an MSI, on its website. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices.	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?	See remark for labor 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 labor conditions question 5.	SOURCE