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

Reef Info

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2 out of 16
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Brand Owner: VF Corporation
Head Office: Greensboro, NC, USA
Sector: Fashion, Clothing & Shoes
Categories: Sportswear, Footwear
Free Tags: Action Sports, Surfing, Wake boarding, Accessories

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Last Updated: 15 March 2011
Last Verified: 4 November 2011

Reef 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?	The Reef Redemption initiative incorporates efforts to reduce energy and material usage in offices, but it is not clear what concrete action is implemented (see "Reef").	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?	VF Corporation (brand owner) recently published its first carbon footprint in 2010 (based on the 2009 inventory). Therefore, it's not yet possible to measure if reductions for the last few years have been achieved yet or not.	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?	VF Corporation is in the process of identifying carbon reduction opportunities and setting emissions reduction targets, which they hope to finish by mid-2011.	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 environmental policy question 3.	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?	The Reef Redemption initiative incorporates organic cotton, recycled PET, and "Redemption Foam" (a material made from plant cellulose) into its footwear and apparel items. However, it is not clear what percentage of the total volume this represents (see "Reef").	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?	Neither Reef nor VF Corporation communicates any information on an environmental policy related to the ‘wet processes’ within the production cycle, if there is one, on its website. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices.	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 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. Maximum working week of 60 hours, not clear whether overtime is voluntary; 3. Minimum legal wage, instead of living wage is mentioned (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 is a member of WRAP.	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?	WRAP is not acknowledged as a Multi Stakeholder Initiative (MSI).	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%?	VF Corporation audited 1835 factories in 2004-2005, with an 8% rejection. However, it is not clear what percentage of the total purchase volume this represents (see page 24).	SOURCE