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  • Overall approach
    2/12
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/4
      Commodity-specific commitment - commitment that does not apply to all of the commodities the company is exposed to
      0/4
      "As a company that aims to help build a sustainable society, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. and our brands including UNIQLO, Theory, GU, PLST, Helmut Lang, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princess tam.tam and J Brand are committed to protecting the world’s ancient and endangered forests and to efforts toward zero deforestation at the forest locations where its paper originates."
      Open source document
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Yes
      1/1
      Fast Retailing are a member of the UN Global Compact.
      Open source document
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Yes
      1/1
      "As a starting point to geographically locate ancient and endangered forests, maps of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF), as defined by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and of intact forest landscapes (IFL), can be used and paired with maps of other key ecological values like the habitat range of key endangered species and forests containing high concentrations of terrestrial carbon and High Carbon Stocks (HCS) (The Wye River Coalition’s Endangered Forests: High Conservation Value Forests Protection – Guidance for Corporate Commitments)."
      Open source document
    • 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
      0/2
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/2
    • Disclosure of conservation activity
    • Disclosure of reforestation activity
    • Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
      No
      0/0
      Type of climate target: Other or unclear
  • Commodity score
    23/88
    • Leather
      11/88
      • Commitment Strength
        0/20
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No commitment
            0/8
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/9
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Social Considerations
        5/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
          "We have revised our Code of Conduct to reflect international standards. For example, in September 2016, as one part of our efforts with the Fair Labor Association (FLA), we clarified requirements on wages and benefits in line with the core labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO). " Prohibition of child labor・Prohibition of forced labor・Prohibition of discrimination・Respect freedom of association"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/4
          "Discrimination Production partners shall employ workers on the basis of their ability to do the job. Production partners shall not discriminate against workers on the basis of race, gender, color, nationality, religion, age, maternity, marital status, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, political opinion, disability, affiliation, non-affiliation, or any other status"
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/4
        • Commitment to resolve land conflicts
          No
      • Reporting and Implementation
        6/50
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/3
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/2.5
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2.5
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/2
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1.5
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.5
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/2
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          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
          "Apart from complying with all applicable environmental Laws, production partners should strive to improve their environmental performance by meeting the requirements set by FAST RETAILING – requirements that may go beyond applicable environmental Laws. [...] Production partners must allow FAST RETAILING and its designated agents to access all workers, all facilities, including manufacturing and worker housing facilities, and relevant documents to confirm compliance with the code of conduct, with or without notice provided in advance."
          Open source document
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/2
        • Report verified volumes of commodity
          No disclosure
          0/6
        • Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
          Yes, commit to monitoring compliance with labour/worker rights
          2/4
          Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
          Yes, commit to monitoring compliance with labour/worker rights
          2/4
          "We require every production partner to comply with this code of conduct and start doing business with them only after they sign the code of conduct. We also monitor the labor conditions at partner factories based on the standards defined in our code of conduct."
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes, report direct suppliers
          2/4
          Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes, report direct suppliers
          2/4
          "With the goals of increasing the transparency of our supply chain, taking on a greater responsibility to ensure good labor conditions, and addressing issues concerning human rights and the environment, Fast Retailing discloses information on our partner factories on the company website. We have been publishing and updating annually a list of core sewing factories* since 2017, and aim to publish a list of all sewing factories with whom we have continuous business relationships in March 2022."
          Open source document
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • 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: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Pulp & Paper
      34/88
      • Commitment Strength
        15/20
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          6/8
          • Commitment details
            Zero-gross deforestation
            4/6
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Zero-gross deforestation
            4/6
            Does the company have a commitment to the protection of other specific named ecosystems?: HCS

            Which certification schemes are used?: FSC
            "As a company that aims to help build a sustainable society, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. and our brands including UNIQLO, Theory, GU, PLST, Helmut Lang, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princess tam.tam and J Brand are committed to protecting the world’s ancient and endangered forests and to efforts toward zero deforestation at the forest locations where its paper originates. [...] When purchasing paper, preference will be given to sustainable paper products* such as: [...] certified materials, such as paper certified by the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council), having been produced using timber harvested without the destruction of environmentally and socially sensitive areas when virgin wood fiber is needed [...] By the end of 2020, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. is committed to ensuring its paper shopping bags are made from materials outlined in the Basic Policy above. For other uses of paper, the company will work to ensure these are derived from materials outlined in the Basic Policy by the end of 2022."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            "As a company that aims to help build a sustainable society, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. and our brands including UNIQLO, Theory, GU, PLST, Helmut Lang, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princess tam.tam and J Brand are committed to protecting the world’s ancient and endangered forests and to efforts toward zero deforestation at the forest locations where its paper originates. [...] By the end of 2020, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. is committed to ensuring its paper shopping bags are made from materials outlined in the Basic Policy above. For other uses of paper, the company will work to ensure these are derived from materials outlined in the Basic Policy by the end of 2022."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2022
            0.6/0.7
            Target date
            2022
            0.6/0.7
            "As a company that aims to help build a sustainable society, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. and our brands including UNIQLO, Theory, GU, PLST, Helmut Lang, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princess tam.tam and J Brand are committed to protecting the world’s ancient and endangered forests and to efforts toward zero deforestation at the forest locations where its paper originates. [...] By the end of 2020, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. is committed to ensuring its paper shopping bags are made from materials outlined in the Basic Policy above. For other uses of paper, the company will work to ensure these are derived from materials outlined in the Basic Policy by the end of 2022."
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2022)
            0.3/0.3
            Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2022)
            0.3/0.3
            "As a company that aims to help build a sustainable society, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. and our brands including UNIQLO, Theory, GU, PLST, Helmut Lang, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princess tam.tam and J Brand are committed to protecting the world’s ancient and endangered forests and to efforts toward zero deforestation at the forest locations where its paper originates. [...] By the end of 2020, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. is committed to ensuring its paper shopping bags are made from materials outlined in the Basic Policy above. For other uses of paper, the company will work to ensure these are derived from materials outlined in the Basic Policy by the end of 2022."
            Open source document
        • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
          3/5
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            3/3
            Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes
            3/3
            Type of commitment: Recycled content; Reduction of material inputs
            "In 2020 Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. will assess the market availability of proven environmentally and socially beneficial fiber innovations and when feasible, set targets for increased procurement of these alternatives (such as agricultural residues and recycled materials) for cellulosic fabrics to 2025. [...] Basic Policy When purchasing paper, preference will be given to sustainable paper products* such as:  paper made with post-consumer recycled or other highly-recycled materials, as well as innovative Next Generation solutions, including paper made from alternative fiber sources;"
            Open source document
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/1.3
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/1.3
            If no, what is excluded?: Segment
            "In 2020 Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. will assess the market availability of proven environmentally and socially beneficial fiber innovations and when feasible, set targets for increased procurement of these alternatives (such as agricultural residues and recycled materials) for cellulosic fabrics to 2025. [...] Basic Policy When purchasing paper, preference will be given to sustainable paper products* such as:  paper made with post-consumer recycled or other highly-recycled materials, as well as innovative Next Generation solutions, including paper made from alternative fiber sources;"
            Open source document
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2025
            0.3/0.7
            Target date
            2025
            0.3/0.7
            "In 2020 Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. will assess the market availability of proven environmentally and socially beneficial fiber innovations and when feasible, set targets for increased procurement of these alternatives (such as agricultural residues and recycled materials) for cellulosic fabrics to 2025. [...] Basic Policy When purchasing paper, preference will be given to sustainable paper products* such as:  paper made with post-consumer recycled or other highly-recycled materials, as well as innovative Next Generation solutions, including paper made from alternative fiber sources;"
            Open source document
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.3
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          5/6
          • Commitment details
            Downstream company, traces to Processing Facility, checks compliance
            4/4
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            Downstream company, traces to Processing Facility, checks compliance
            4/4
            "By 2020 Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. will develop 100% traceability on our forest material suppliers up to our viscose fiber producers for all our products. Through the best available channels, Fast Retailing will verify that our viscose fiber producers are providing us forest materials consistent with this policy through independent third-party reports and audits, such as through the CanopyStyle Audit and the Hot Button Issue."  
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            By 2020 Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. will develop 100% traceability on our forest material suppliers up to our viscose fiber producers for all our products. Through the best available channels, Fast Retailing will verify that our viscose fiber producers are providing us forest materials consistent with this policy through independent third-party reports and audits, such as through the CanopyStyle Audit and the Hot Button Issue. 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Past target date, not updated or not achieved
            0/0.7
            Target date
            Past target date, not updated or not achieved
            0/0.7
            By 2020 Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. will develop 100% traceability on our forest material suppliers up to our viscose fiber producers for all our products. Through the best available channels, Fast Retailing will verify that our viscose fiber producers are providing us forest materials consistent with this policy through independent third-party reports and audits, such as through the CanopyStyle Audit and the Hot Button Issue. 
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.3
      • Social Considerations
        9/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
          "We have revised our Code of Conduct to reflect international standards. For example, in September 2016, as one part of our efforts with the Fair Labor Association (FLA), we clarified requirements on wages and benefits in line with the core labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO). " Prohibition of child labor・Prohibition of forced labor・Prohibition of discrimination・Respect freedom of association"
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/4
          "Discrimination Production partners shall employ workers on the basis of their ability to do the job. Production partners shall not discriminate against workers on the basis of race, gender, color, nationality, religion, age, maternity, marital status, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, political opinion, disability, affiliation, non-affiliation, or any other status"
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/2
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          4/4
          " To do so, Fast Retailing endorses the rights 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. We request that our suppliers resolve complaints and conflicts, and remediate human rights violations through a transparent, accountable, and agreeable dispute resolution process."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to resolve land conflicts
          No
      • Reporting and Implementation
        10/50
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/2
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1.7
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/1.7
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.7
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/1
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/2
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          How frequently are assessments conducted?: not specified
          "Assess and map our existing use of forest materials and eliminate sourcing identified as coming from endangered species habitat and ancient and endangered forests."
          Open source document
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          "Apart from complying with all applicable environmental Laws, production partners should strive to improve their environmental performance by meeting the requirements set by FAST RETAILING – requirements that may go beyond applicable environmental Laws. [...] Production partners must allow FAST RETAILING and its designated agents to access all workers, all facilities, including manufacturing and worker housing facilities, and relevant documents to confirm compliance with the code of conduct, with or without notice provided in advance."
          Open source document
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/2
        • Report verified volumes of commodity
          No disclosure
          0/6
        • Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes, report direct suppliers
          2/4
          Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes, report direct suppliers
          2/4
          "With the goals of increasing the transparency of our supply chain, taking on a greater responsibility to ensure good labor conditions, and addressing issues concerning human rights and the environment, Fast Retailing discloses information on our partner factories on the company website. We have been publishing and updating annually a list of core sewing factories* since 2017, and aim to publish a list of all sewing factories with whom we have continuous business relationships in March 2022."
          Open source document
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          3/4
          Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          3/4
          Details of monitoring: Using internal monitoring and verification systems; Using third party verification

          How frequently is compliance assessed?: not specified
          "These commitments are aligned with, and build on, the work of Canopy (a non-profit organization), who collaborates with brands and retailers to ensure that their supply chains are free of ancient and endangered forests. To that effect, we will continue to work with Canopy and our suppliers to support collaborative and visionary solutions that protect remaining ancient and endangered forests."
          Open source document
        • 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
          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No
          "Should we learn that any of our forest materials are being sourced from ancient and endangered forests, endangered species habitat or through illegal logging, we will investigate our supply chain, engage our suppliers to change practices, and/or re-evaluate our relationship with them. "
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
  • Commitment strength
    7/20
    Avg. score
  • Reporting and Implementation
    8/50
    Avg. score
  • Social considerations
    7/18
    Avg. score

Profile

Fast Retailing isa Japanese clothing retailer operating through well-known brands such as UNIQLO and J Brand. Fast Retailing is selected as a powerbroker for leather and pulp & paper.

Sector
Industry sector 
Apparel & footwear
Segments
Retailer
HQ
HQ 
Japan
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

UniQlo, Gu, PLST, Theory, Theory Luxe, Helmut Lang, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam tam, J Brand

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.

Full corporate sector performance data Forest 500 assessment methodology

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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.