Last Updated: 2021.12.24
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Fast Retailing engages in ethical and responsible procurement to ensure our products are socially and environmentally sustainable. We are committed to continuously reducing the environmental and enhancing the positive social impact of the materials we use.
Procurement of Plant-Derived Materials
Cotton
We have set a goal to procure all cotton from sustainable sources by the end of 2025. With respect to cotton, we define sustainability as the reduction of use of water, agricultural chemicals and chemical fertilizer; the protection of soil fertility and biodiversity; and the consideration for farm workers' working environment. For us, sustainable cotton means Better Cotton*1; cotton sourced from the United States or Australia, recycled cotton*2; organic cotton*3; Fair Trade cotton; and Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) by definition.
*1 See Better Cotton Initiative, below.
*2 Cotton certified by GRS (Global Recycled Standard)
*3 Cotton certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OCS (Organic Content Standard)
・Better Cotton Initiative
Fast Retailing became an affiliate member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) in January 2018. BCI is a non-government organization dedicated to the sustainable production of cotton. BCI promotes better cotton cultivation, educating farmers on the proper use of water, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, and more. Farmers meeting standards set by BCI are certified as Better Cotton producers.
Cellulosic Fibers (Rayon, Etc.)
Fast Retailing recognizes the potential risks that plant or wood cellulosic fibers could be sourced from endangered forests or endangered habitats, and through illegal logging or means that infringe on the rights of indigenous peoples. We have established a list of low-risk cellulosic fiber manufacturers based on third-party evaluations and are working to require suppliers to procure from the producers on this list.
Procurement of Animal-Derived Materials
We will never use materials from animals slaughtered solely for apparel production. We believe that animals should always be treated and bred according to ethical husbandry practices, aligning with the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare: freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury or disease; freedom to express normal behavior; and freedom from fear and distress. We also promote recycling and use of alternative materials. In line with this belief, we established and implemented our Animal Welfare Guidelines to stipulate rules and practices when sourcing animal-derived materials, including:
Fur
As of Fall/Winter 2018, Fast Retailing has eliminated all real animal fur from our products across all brands.
Merino Wool
UNIQLO is dedicated to animal welfare, refusing to procure Merino wool from suppliers who source from producers who practice mulesing. Mulesing is the practice of cutting away a section of wool-bearing skin from the breech of the sheep to prevent parasitic infection in the deep folds of the Merino sheep skin. UNIQLO procures Merino wool from producers who use repellent or other alternatives to mulesing in preventing parasitic infection.
Cashmere
UNIQLO practices ethical, sustainable sourcing. We have begun to implement a system of full transparency across our cashmere supply chain. Our suppliers will formally commit to a set of specific animal welfare and responsible land management conditions relevant to cashmere production, and agree to our auditing visits to ensure compliance. In addition, we will provide suppliers with on-going education on animal welfare and responsible management best practices.
Mohair (angora goat hair), angora rabbit hair
Fast Retailing prohibits the use of mohair and angora rabbit hair in any products.
Down, Feathers
Fast Retailing prohibits sourcing of down or feathers from farms that practice live plucking or force feeding. All our partner garment factories involved in the production of our down products are RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified as of the end of 2019 and we will continue to support the RDS going forward.
Leather, Skins
Fast Retailing prohibits the use of exotic animal or wildlife skins such as crocodile, alligator, snake, lizard, ostrich, kangaroo, whale and shark. We do not use any materials derived from animals on the Red List of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). We do not accept leather from aborted animals such as slink and karakul.
Horns, Bones
Fast Retailing prohibits the use of bones, horns and teeth of any animals.
