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Powerbroker for

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  • Overall approach
    2/10
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/4
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Signatory
      Yes
      1/1
      Which initiatives?: Other initiative

      If Other Initiative, specify: SUSTAINABLE APPAREL COALITION (SAC) ; GLOBAL FASHION AGENDA
      "SAC is a trade organisation comprised of brands, retailers, manufacturers, government, NGOs and academic experts, representing more than 40 percent of the global apparel and footwear market. SAC is working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and foot wear products around the world. BESTSELLER is strategic member of SAC and we are working with a number of tools within the SAC Higg Index to access the social and environmental performance of our value chain and the environmental impacts of our products including the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM)...BESTSELLER is a Strategic Partner in the GFA, which aims to mobilise the global fashion industry to change the way we produce, market and consume fashion"
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      Yes
      1/1
      "BESTSELLER will support approaches and systems to build a future that does not useancient and endangered forestsi in the packaging, paper or in man-made cellulosic fabrics, including rayon, viscose, lyocell, modal and other trademarked brands. We will influence these supply chains in order to protect the world’s remaining ancient and endangered forests and endangered speciesii habitat." [...] "Ancient and endangered forests are defined as intact forest landscape mosaics, naturally rare forest types, forest types thathave been made rare due to human activity, and/or other forests that are ecologically critical for the protection of biologicaldiversity. Ecological components of endangered forests are: Intact forest landscapes; Remnant forests and restoration cores;Landscape connectivity; Rare forest types; Forests of high species richness; Forests containing high concentrations of rare andendangered species; Forests of high endemism; Core habitat for focal species; Forests exhibiting rare ecological and evolutionary phenomena. Key endangered forests globally are the Canadian and Russian Boreal Forests; Coastal Temperate Rainforestsof British Columbia, Alaska and Chile; Tropical forests and peat lands of Indonesia, the Amazon and West Africa."
    • Deforestation as a business risk
      0/1
    • High-level management of deforestion
      0/1
    • Executive compensation linked to deforestation
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/1
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/1
    • Disclosure of conservation activity
    • Disclosure of reforestation activity
    • Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
      Reduce emissions
      Yes
      0/0
      What is the target date for the company to achieve their climate target?: 2030

      Is this target aligned with/verified by SBTi?: Yes

      Type of climate target: Other or unclear
      "We commit to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emission by 50% by 2030"
  • Commodity score
    18/90
    • Leather
      14/90
      • Commitment Strength
        0/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          0/9.5
          • Commitment details
            No commitment
            0/6
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
            Do they have a traceability commitment which goes back to the birth farm?: No
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        6/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1

          Details of commitment: ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
          "BESTSELLER’s Code of Conduct describes the ethics and behaviour that BESTSELLER wishes to promotethroughout the supply chain, and is directed at any supplier and their subcontractors, who manufacture products for BESTSELLER A/S. [...] Suppliers must not use any illegal workers, or any kind of forced or prison labour [...] The supplier will recognise ILO conventions and theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights on freedomof association, freedom of opinion and expression,the right to organise and collective bargaining [...] No children below the age of 15 can be employed infactories producing for BESTSELLER. If the lawstates a higher age, the law must be followed [...] Employees shall not be subjected to discrimination(including during recruitment, promotion, access totraining, termination or retirement) regarding race,colour, caste, nationality, religion, gender, age, sexualorientation or marital status."
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/2
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          0.5/2
          "FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT Employees shall not be subjected to discrimination (including during recruitment, promotion, access to training, termination or retirement) regarding race, colour, caste, nationality, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation or marital status."
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to test for FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          2/3
          Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to test for FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          2/3
          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1
          "we request that our suppliers acknowledge the right of Indigenous People and rural communities to give or withhold their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) before new logging rights are allocated or plantations are developed"
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        9/56
        • Reporting proportion of compliant volumes
          0/0
        • Reporting is independently verified
          No
          0/2
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          What is the nature of that participation?: Attending & contributing to meetings

          What initiatives does the company participate in?: developing a leather alternative made with apple pulp
          "Through our Fashion FWD Lab, we linked up with Danish innovators Beyond Leather, who are developing a leather alternative made with apple pulp, which is left over following the production of juice or cider."
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          "BESTSELLER’s Code of Conduct describes the ethics and behaviour that BESTSELLER wishes to promote throughout the supply chain, and is directed at any supplier and their subcontractors...All legal requirements and regulations in operating countries must be met...All businesses involved at any stage in the production must be open to audits to evaluate and monitor compliance to the code. BESTSELLER is entitled to use and share the audit information for all purposes BESTSELLER finds relevant."
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          No reporting
          0/3
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
          3/5
          Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
          2.5/5
          What steps has the company taken to implement their labour rights commitment?: Training and Audits

          What percentage/number of new interests, developments, or expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: NA

          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: NA
          "Suppliers should be open and willing to engage with BESTSELLER on projects and initiatives undertaken. This includes participating in BESTSELLER organised training, effectively disseminating information to subcontractors and workers.... All businesses involved at any stage in the production must be open to audits to evaluate and monitor compliance to the code." Code contains Bestseller's commitments regarding labour rights.
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          Yes, report direct suppliers
          2/4
          Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          Yes, report direct suppliers
          2/4
          Does the company disclose location of suppliers' production areas or primary processing sites?: Yes

          From what sub-national jurisdiction(s) does the company source material?: NA

          For what percent are boundaries disclosed?: 0%

          For what percent of suppliers' production areas are point locations disclosed?: 100%

          From what country(ies) does the company source material?: China; Hong Kong; Myanmar; Bangladesh; Turkey; Vietnam

          For what percent of smallholder suppliers is location disclosed?: NA

          What type of location data (boundary, point, etc.) is provided for smallholder farms?: NA

          What is the volume of each forest risk commodity that the company sourced in the previous year from each national or subnational location?: NA

          For what percent is no location data disclosed?: 0%
          "At BESTSELLER, we want to be transparent about our supply chain and who we work with. Part of our commitment to this transparency is our public factory list.This list, which is updated every two months, includes a full account of our Tier 0 suppliers and Tier 1 factories (including supporting units), and our preferred materials suppliers (Tier 2)."
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
          Does the company work with the non-compliant supplier to develop an implementation plan to remedy associated harms or non-compliance?: No

          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Does the company have a list of blacklisted or otherwise excluded suppliers or producers?: No
    • Pulp & Paper
      22/90
      • Commitment Strength
        5/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          5/9.5
          • Commitment details
            Protects priority forests (including High Conservation Value, High Carbon Stock, and peatlands)
            2/6
            Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
            Protects priority forests (including High Conservation Value, High Carbon Stock, and peatlands)
            2/6
            Which certification schemes are used?: FSC

            Does the company have a commitment to the protection of other specific named ecosystems?: HCS; Peat

            What paper/pulp product does their commitment apply to?: Paper products; Pulp; Packaging; Viscose/collulose

            Type of sustainability commitment: Reduce the volume of virgin wood fibre used in paper and packaging products through usage of recycled content; Reduction of material inputs

            When was this commitment set?: NA
            "BESTSELLER will support approaches and systems to build a future that does not use ancient and endangered forests i in the packaging, paper or in man-made cellulosic fabrics, including rayon, viscose, lyocell, modal and other trademarked brands. We will influence these supply chains in order to protect the world’s remaining ancient and endangered forests and endangered species ii habitat.[...] Work to eliminate sourcing from: companies that are logging forests illegally vii; tree plantations viii established after 1994 through the conversion or simplification of natural forests; or areas being logged in contravention of First Nations/tribal/indigenous peoples’ and community rights or from other controversial suppliers.[...]When virgin fibre is required, BESTSELLER will work towards sourcing 100% of our paper, packaging and man-made cellulosic fibres responsibly in line with industry best practice, with a preference for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification...Assess our existing use of man-made cellulosics, packaging and paper and eliminate sourcing from endangered species habitat and ancient and endangered forests such as the Canadian and Russian Boreal Forests; Coastal Temperate Rainforests; tropical forests and peatlands of Indonesia, the Amazon and West Africa by 2022 for manmade cellulosics and for paper and packaging"[...]"By 2022, 100% of our MMC fibres will be sourced responsibly in line with industry best practice, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)...By 2025 All consumer-facing packaging will be 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable."
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            "BESTSELLER will support approaches and systems to build a future that does not use ancient and endangered forests i in the packaging, paper or in man-made cellulosic fabrics, including rayon, viscose, lyocell, modal and other trademarked brands. We will influence these supply chains in order to protect the world’s remaining ancient and endangered forests and endangered species ii habitat.[...] Work to eliminate sourcing from: companies that are logging forests illegally vii; tree plantations viii established after 1994 through the conversion or simplification of natural forests; or areas being logged in contravention of First Nations/tribal/indigenous peoples’ and community rights or from other controversial suppliers.[...]When virgin fibre is required, BESTSELLER will work towards sourcing 100% of our paper, packaging and man-made cellulosic fibres responsibly in line with industry best practice, with a preference for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification...Assess our existing use of man-made cellulosics, packaging and paper and eliminate sourcing from endangered species habitat and ancient and endangered forests such as the Canadian and Russian Boreal Forests; Coastal Temperate Rainforests; tropical forests and peatlands of Indonesia, the Amazon and West Africa by 2022 for manmade cellulosics and for paper and packaging"[...]"By 2022, 100% of our MMC fibres will be sourced responsibly in line with industry best practice, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)...By 2025 All consumer-facing packaging will be 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable."
          • Target date
            2025
            0.8/1
            Target date
            2025
            0.8/1
            What actions or steps are identified for time-bound implementation?: Increase sustainable sourcing + certification
            "By 2022, 100% of our MMC fibres will be sourced responsibly in line with industry best practice, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)...By 2025 All consumer-facing packaging will be 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable."
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            0.5/0.5
            Interim target date
            Yes
            0.5/0.5
            What date is given for the interim milestone?: 2022
            "By 2022, 100% of our MMC fibres will be sourced responsibly in line with industry best practice, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)...By 2025 All consumer-facing packaging will be 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable."
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        6/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Details of commitment: ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association

          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1
          "BESTSELLER’s Code of Conduct describes the ethics and behaviour that BESTSELLER wishes to promotethroughout the supply chain, and is directed at any supplier and their subcontractors, who manufacture products for BESTSELLER A/S. [...] Suppliers must not use any illegal workers, or any kind of forced or prison labour [...] The supplier will recognise ILO conventions and theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights on freedomof association, freedom of opinion and expression,the right to organise and collective bargaining [...] No children below the age of 15 can be employed infactories producing for BESTSELLER. If the lawstates a higher age, the law must be followed [...] Employees shall not be subjected to discrimination(including during recruitment, promotion, access totraining, termination or retirement) regarding race,colour, caste, nationality, religion, gender, age, sexualorientation or marital status."
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/2
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          0.5/2
          "FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT Employees shall not be subjected to discrimination (including during recruitment, promotion, access to training, termination or retirement) regarding race, colour, caste, nationality, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation or marital status."
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to test for FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          2/3
          Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to test for FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          2/3
          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1
          "we request that our suppliers acknowledge the right of Indigenous People and rural communities to give or withhold their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) before new logging rights are allocated or plantations are developed"
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        12/56
        • Reporting is independently verified
          No
          0/2
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          Yes, for all sourcing regions/operations
          2/2
          Deforestation cut off date
          Yes, for all sourcing regions/operations
          2/2
          What cut-off date is specified?: 1994
          "Work to eliminate sourcing from: companies that are logging forests illegally vii; tree plantations viii established after 1994 through the conversion or simplification of natural forests; or areas being logged in contravention of First Nations/tribal/indigenous peoples’ and community rights or from other controversial suppliers"
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          What is the nature of that participation?: Attending & contributing to meetings

          What initiatives does the company participate in?: Canopy
          "CANOPY In 2020, BESTSELLER partnered with the environmental organisation Canopy as we work to eliminate the use of man-made cellulosic, paper and packaging sourced from ancient and endangered forests in our supply chain. Canopy works with the forest industry’s biggest customers and suppliers to develop business solutions that protect these last frontier forests."
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          "BESTSELLER’s Code of Conduct describes the ethics and behaviour that BESTSELLER wishes to promote throughout the supply chain, and is directed at any supplier and their subcontractors...All legal requirements and regulations in operating countries must be met...All businesses involved at any stage in the production must be open to audits to evaluate and monitor compliance to the code. BESTSELLER is entitled to use and share the audit information for all purposes BESTSELLER finds relevant."
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          No reporting
          0/3
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
          3/5
          Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
          2.5/5
          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: NA

          What percentage/number of new interests, developments, or expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: NA

          What steps has the company taken to implement their labour rights commitment?: training and audits
          "Suppliers should be open and willing to engage with BESTSELLER on projects and initiatives undertaken. This includes participating in BESTSELLER organised training, effectively disseminating information to subcontractors and workers.... All businesses involved at any stage in the production must be open to audits to evaluate and monitor compliance to the code." Code contains Bestseller's commitments regarding labour rights.
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          Yes, report direct suppliers
          2/4
          Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          Yes, report direct suppliers
          2/4
          Does the company disclose location of suppliers' production areas or primary processing sites?: No

          For what percent are boundaries disclosed?: 0%

          What is the volume of each forest risk commodity that the company sourced in the previous year from each national or subnational location?: NA

          For what percent is no location data disclosed?: 0%

          From what country(ies) does the company source material?: Bangladesh Cambodia China India Italy Myanmar Pakistan Turkey

          From what sub-national jurisdiction(s) does the company source material?: NA

          For what percent of suppliers' production areas are point locations disclosed?: 100%

          For what percent of smallholder suppliers is location disclosed?: NA

          What type of location data (boundary, point, etc.) is provided for smallholder farms?: NA
          Bestseller provide a list of their suppliers, their country and their factory address in an excel document.
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          1/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          1/2
          What type of support does the company offer to its suppliers to help them achieve compliance with commitments?: engage to change practices

          Does the company commit to engage with rightsholders, Indigenous peoples and local communities when developing the implementation plan?: No

          What criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: If found to be sourcing from ancient and endangered forests, endangered species habitat or illegal logging Bestseller will first engage and then re-evaluate

          Does the company work with the non-compliant supplier to develop an implementation plan to remedy associated harms or non-compliance?: Yes

          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No
          "Conservation of Ancient and Endangered Forests and Ecosystems BESTSELLER will support approaches and systems to build a future that does not use ancient and endangered forestsi in the packaging, paper or in man-made cellulosic fabrics, including rayon, viscose, lyocell, modal and other trademarked brands [...] Should we find that any of our products sourced from ancient and endangered forests, endangered species habitat or illegal logging, we will engage our suppliers to change practices and/or re-evaluate our relationship with them"
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
          Does the company have a list of blacklisted or otherwise excluded suppliers or producers?: No
  • Commitment strength
    3/17
    Avg. score
  • Implementation and Reporting
    10/56
    Avg. score
  • Associated Human Rights Abuses
    6/17
    Avg. score

Profile

Bestseller A/S is a Danish clothing company with department stores globally. Bestseller A/S is selected as a powerbroker for leather, pulp & paper and paper packaging.

Sector
Industry sector 
Apparel & footwear
Segments
Manufacturer, Retailer
HQ
HQ 
Denmark
Company Type
Company type 
CO
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

J.Lindberg, Jack & Jones, Jacqueline de Yong, Junarose, Mamalicious, Name it, Noisy May, Object Collectors Item, Only, Only & Sons, Pieces, Produkt, Selected, Vera Moda, Vila Clothes, Y.A.S.

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.