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How sustainable is Oxbow ?

Oxbow & sustainability


Oxbow-surf-logo

2 out of 16

Sustainability summary

Brand owner: The Lafuma Group
Head office: Anneyron, France
Sector: Surf, beach & swimwear
Categories : Male, Female, Kids
Free Tags: Oxbow, Bags, Caps, Shirts, Pullover, Jackets, Jeans, Dress

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What's your sustainability news about Oxbow?

Oxbow sustainability score report

Last edited: 17 May 2013 by Mario
Last reviewed: 17 May 2013 by Mario

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

1 out of 4
1. Is there a policy for the brand to minimize, reduce or compensate carbon emissions? The Lafuma Group (brand owner of Oxbow) has taken several measures to reduce carbon emissions, such as the installation of a solar systems at its headquarters, more efficient transport methods and permeation of eco-designs for its products (see pages 19 and 20 of the 2011 Annual Report). Source
2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual absolute carbon footprint of its 'own operations' (Scope 1 & 2) and has the brand already reduced or compensated 10% of these emissions in the last 5 years? The Lafuma Group has published a carbon footprint of 210,000 teq CO2 at the end of 2008. There is no more recent data and even though Lafuma Groups aims to reduce its emissions no tangible results are communicated (see page 19 of Annual Report 2011). Source
3. Has the brand (company) set a target to reduce its absolute ‘own operations’ carbon emissions by at least 20% within the next 5 years? See remark for carbon emissions 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 (Scope 3)? Lafuma Group aims to reduce carbon emissions within the supply chain, beyond its own operations. However, Lafuma Group does not provide any clear policies or results on reducing its entire carbon emissions impact (see page 19 of Annual Report 2011). 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? Oxbow has a 'Pure Leaf' and 'Naturally Committed Grade©' label which are scales used to measure the ecological friendliness based on among others recyclability and the use of raw materials. However, Oxbow does not mention any concrete information on this label, nor does it report any concrete percentages (see 'Oxbow Naturally Committed'). 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? Lafuma Group has rules on wastewater treatment. Furthermore, Lafuma Group reports on measures and results related water efficiency in the production chain. However, these results date from 2010. No up to date information have been made public (see pages 25, 47). 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 labor, no child labor, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace? All standards are mentioned in Lafuma's ethic and compliance charter (see page 46). 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 and 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 (see page 46). 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 and the right to bargain collectively is mentioned, but nothing found about situations in which this right is restricted by law (see page 46). 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? Lafuma does not provide a significant list of direct suppliers on its website. Sustainability information should be easily accessible for consumers to make responsible choices. Source
5. Is the brand (company) a member of a collective initiative that aims to improve labor conditions, or does the brand (company) purchase its supplies from accredited factories with improved labor conditions? Lafuma Regatta does not communicate any information about being part of a collective initiative or purchasing from an accredited supplier, 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 labor unions have a decisive voice in this collective initiative or in these certification schemes? See remark for labor conditions policy question 5. Source
7. Does the brand (company) annually report on the results of its labor conditions policy? Lafuma Group reports on audit measures in its supply chain. However, the last detailed reporting dates from 2010. Thus, results are older then 2,5 years (see page 28-30). Source
8. Has the brand’s labor 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 policy question 7. Source