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  • Overall approach
    2/16
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/6
      Deforestation commitment
      Commodity-specific commitment
      0/6
      Commodities (if applicable): Pulp & Paper
      "Ancient and endangered forests regulate our planet – providing clean air, fresh water, a stable climate and biodiversity. 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 including efforts toward zero deforestation through our approach to procurement of wood based fabrics, materials derived from forests, and/or manmade cellulosic fabrics."
      Open source document
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Signatory
      Yes
      1/1
      Fast Retailing are a member of the UN Global Compact.
      Open source document
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      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
      0/3
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/3
    • Disclosure of conservation activity
    • Disclosure of reforestation activity
  • Commodity score
    23/84
    • Leather
      8/84
      • Commitment Strength
        0/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          0/17
          • Commitment details
            No commitment
            0/10.7
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            0/3
          • Target date
            0/2
          • Interim target date
            0/1
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            0/3
          • Target date
            0/2
          • Interim target date
            0/1
      • 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
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/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 commitment
          0/4
      • Reporting and Implementation
        3/38
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            0/3
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            0/3
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            0/2
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            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
          0/4
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes report direct suppliers
          2/4
          Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes report direct suppliers
          2/4
          "In 2017, we published a list of UNIQLO core sewing factories in February, followed by a list of GU core sewing factories in December, 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. In March 2019, we consolidated these lists and published it as Fast Retailing core sewing factory list"
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          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
      37/84
      • Commitment Strength
        22/28
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          9/12
          • Commitment details
            Zero-gross deforestation
            6/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Zero-gross deforestation
            6/8
            Which certification schemes are used?: FSC
            "Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. is committed to undertaking reasonable efforts in the following [...] Assess and map our existing use of forest materials and eliminate sourcing identified as coming from endangered species habitat and ancient and endangered forests. [...] Work to eliminate sourcing from companies that are ogging forests illegally or tree plantations established after 1994, from areas being logged in contravention of indigenous and local peoples' rights, and/or from other suppliers identified by Fast Retailing as controversial." "Fast Retailing will preference that all remaining forest materials sourced from forests are from responsibly managed forests, certified to the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification system, and where FSC certified plantations are part of the solution".
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            "Work to eliminate sourcing from companies that are logging forests illegally or tree plantations established after 1994, from areas being logged in contravention of indigenous and local peoples’ rights, and/or from other suppliers identified by Fast Retailing as controversial." "Fast Retailing will preference that all remaining forest materials sourced from forests are from responsibly managed forests, certified to the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certification system, and where FSC® certified plantations are part of the solution".
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            "Work to eliminate sourcing from companies that are logging forests illegally or tree plantations established after 1994, from areas being logged in contravention of indigenous and local peoples’ rights, and/or from other suppliers identified by Fast Retailing as controversial."  "Fast Retailing will preference that all remaining forest materials sourced from forests are from responsibly managed forests, certified to the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certification system, and where FSC® certified plantations are part of the solution". "From 2020 onwards, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. commits to only source man-made cellulosic fabrics from sources that are not Ancient and Endangered forests [...] "
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.7
            Interim target date
            No
            0/0.7
            "Work to eliminate sourcing from companies that are logging forests illegally or tree plantations established after 1994, from areas being logged in contravention of indigenous and local peoples’ rights, and/or from other suppliers identified by Fast Retailing as controversial." "Fast Retailing will preference that all remaining forest materials sourced from forests are from responsibly managed forests, certified to the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certification system, and where FSC® certified plantations are part of the solution".
            Open source document
        • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
          5/8
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            4/4
            Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes
            4/4
            Type of commitment: Recycled content; Use of alternative fibres
            "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."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            "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."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2025
            0.5/1.3
            Target date
            2025
            0.5/1.3
            "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."
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.7
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          8/8
          • 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 Canopy Style Audit and the Hot Button Issue. "
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            "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 Canopy Style Audit and the Hot Button Issue. "
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current/2020/Pre-2020
            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 Canopy Style Audit and the Hot Button Issue. "
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            Interim target date
            Yes
            0.7/0.7
            What date is given for the interim milestone(s)?: 2020
            "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 Canopy Style Audit and the Hot Button Issue. "
            Open source document
      • Social Considerations
        7/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: 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". Code of Conduct applies to "production partners".
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/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/expansions
          2/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests/developments/expansions
          2/4
          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: Not disclosed
          " 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
      • Reporting and Implementation
        8/38
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          Yes
          2/2
          Deforestation cut off date
          Yes
          2/2
          Cut-off date: 1994
          "Work to eliminate sourcing from companies that are logging forests illegally or tree plantations established after 1994, from areas being logged in contravention of indigenous and local peoples’ rights, and/or from other suppliers identified by Fast Retailing as controversial."
          Open source document
        • 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 disclosed
          "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
          0/4
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes report direct suppliers; Yes report indirect suppliers
          4/4
          Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          Yes report direct suppliers; Yes report indirect suppliers
          4/4
          "In 2017, we published a list of UNIQLO core sewing factories in February, followed by a list of GU core sewing factories in December, 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. In March 2019, we consolidated these lists and published it as Fast Retailing core sewing factory list*.In addition, we are increasing mapping and traceability of the supply chain. In November 2018, a list of UNIQLO core fabric mills was also published, with an aim to also disclose fabric mills used by our other brands in the future."
          Open source document
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes for its suppliers only
          3/4
          Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes for its suppliers only
          3/4
          How frequently is compliance assessed?: not specified

          Details of monitoring: Using internal monitoring and verification systems; Using third party verification
          "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: 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 criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: forest materials that are sourced from ancient and endangered forests, endangered species habitat or through illegal logging

          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
    11/28
    Avg. score
  • Reporting and Implementation
    5/38
    Avg. score
  • Social considerations
    6/18
    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.