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  • Overall approach
    0/14
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/6
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      0/1
      Signatory
      No
      0/1
      Other intiative
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      0/1
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/3
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/3
  • Commodity score
    29/86
    • Leather
      30/86
      • Commitment Strength
        17/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          16/21
          • Commitment details
            Forest-related commitment
            8/10.7
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Forest-related commitment
            8/10.7
            Type of commitment: Protects priority forests; Sustainability commitment
            "New Balance prohibits use of the following animal materials: [...] bovine/cow hides sourced from the Amazon Biome, China, and India".
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1.5
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "New Balance prohibits use of the following animal materials: [...] bovine/cow hides sourced from the Amazon Biome, China, and India".
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "New Balance prohibits use of the following animal materials: [...] bovine/cow hides sourced from the Amazon Biome, China, and India".
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1.5/1.5
            "New Balance prohibits use of the following animal materials: [...] bovine/cow hides sourced from the Amazon Biome, China, and India".
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current
            2/2
            Target date
            Current
            2/2
            "New Balance prohibits use of the following animal materials: [...] bovine/cow hides sourced from the Amazon Biome, China, and India".
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            2/2
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            2/2
            "New Balance prohibits use of the following animal materials: [...] bovine/cow hides sourced from the Amazon Biome, China, and India".
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/15
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1.5
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1.5
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1.5
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1.5
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/2
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/2
      • Reporting and Implementation
        8/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/3
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/3
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. states that "suppliers must ensure all materials, components, and packaging materials used for NB products meet the Restricted Substances List (RSL) requirements. The materials must be tested according to the RSM to ensure compliance". "The New Balance Restricted Substances Manual (RSM) Version 2018 will apply to all production orders manufactured from April 1, 2018 to the later of March 31, 2019 or the effective date of the next version of this Manual. Compliance with the standards contained in the RSM is mandatory for all NB products". 
          Open source document
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/4
        • Publishing supplier lists
          Discloses supplier list
          4/4
          Publishing supplier lists
          Discloses supplier list
          4/4
          New Balance disclose a list containing supplier names and addresses. 
          Open source document
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Attending & contributing to meetings; Providing support/advice/experience/expertise
          "New Balance works with leading organisations in the apparel and footwear industry to advance product sustainability. These include the Textile Exchange, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, the Leather Working Group and its animal welfare subgroup, and the Outdoor Industry Association". 
          Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
      • Social Considerations
        5/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/4
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          New Balance state that they abide by the minimum standards for human rights as set by the ILO. They require their suppliers to ensure their workers' have freedom of association, and to be free from forced labour, child labour and discrimination. 
          Open source document
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          New Balance require that their suppliers ensure no employees are subject to discrimination based on gender.
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
    • Pulp & Paper
      28/86
      • Commitment Strength
        18/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          12/15
          • Commitment details
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Type of commitment: Certification
            Certification schemes mentioned: FSC
            "New Balance catalogs, which are used for marketing and direct consumer sales in the US, are also printed on 100 percent FSC- and SFI-certified paper".
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            "New Balance catalogs, which are used for marketing and direct consumer sales in the US, are also printed on 100 percent FSC- and SFI-certified paper".
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "New Balance catalogs, which are used for marketing and direct consumer sales in the US, are also printed on 100 percent FSC- and SFI-certified paper".
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "New Balance catalogs, which are used for marketing and direct consumer sales in the US, are also printed on 100 percent FSC- and SFI-certified paper".
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            "New Balance catalogs, which are used for marketing and direct consumer sales in the US, are also printed on 100 percent FSC- and SFI-certified paper".
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            "New Balance catalogs, which are used for marketing and direct consumer sales in the US, are also printed on 100 percent FSC- and SFI-certified paper".
            Open source document
        • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
          6/11
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            4/4
            Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes
            4/4
            Type of commitment: Recycled content; Reduction of material inputs
            "Out core shoeboxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard, consisting of pre- and post-consumer pulp and are 100% recyclable." "In 2018, we changed the weight of our wrapping tissue from 28gsm to 22gsm, which reduced our annual paper usage by 130 tons". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            "Out core shoeboxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard, consisting of pre- and post-consumer pulp and are 100% recyclable." "In 2018, we changed the weight of our wrapping tissue from 28gsm to 22gsm, which reduced our annual paper usage by 130 tons". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            "Out core shoeboxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard, consisting of pre- and post-consumer pulp and are 100% recyclable." "In 2018, we changed the weight of our wrapping tissue from 28gsm to 22gsm, which reduced our annual paper usage by 130 tons". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
            "Out core shoeboxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard, consisting of pre- and post-consumer pulp and are 100% recyclable." "In 2018, we changed the weight of our wrapping tissue from 28gsm to 22gsm, which reduced our annual paper usage by 130 tons". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
            "Out core shoeboxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard, consisting of pre- and post-consumer pulp and are 100% recyclable." "In 2018, we changed the weight of our wrapping tissue from 28gsm to 22gsm, which reduced our annual paper usage by 130 tons". 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
            Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
            "Out core shoeboxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard, consisting of pre- and post-consumer pulp and are 100% recyclable." "In 2018, we changed the weight of our wrapping tissue from 28gsm to 22gsm, which reduced our annual paper usage by 130 tons". 
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
            Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
            "Out core shoeboxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard, consisting of pre- and post-consumer pulp and are 100% recyclable." "In 2018, we changed the weight of our wrapping tissue from 28gsm to 22gsm, which reduced our annual paper usage by 130 tons". 
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
      • Reporting and Implementation
        5/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          4/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            "New Balance catalogs, which are used for marketing and direct consumer sales in the US, are also printed on 100 percent FSC- and SFI-certified paper".
            Open source document
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes
            2/2
            "Out core shoeboxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard, consisting of pre- and post-consumer pulp and are 100% recyclable." "In 2018, we changed the weight of our wrapping tissue from 28gsm to 22gsm, which reduced our annual paper usage by 130 tons". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Reporting is independently verified
          1/4
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            certification
            "New Balance catalogs, which are used for marketing and direct consumer sales in the US, are also printed on 100 percent FSC- and SFI-certified paper".
            Open source document
          • 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
          No
          0/2
        • Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          No monitoring
          0/4
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/4
        • Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
      • Social Considerations
        5/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/4
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          ILO; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          New Balance state that they abide by the minimum standards for human rights as set by the ILO. They require their suppliers to ensure their workers' have freedom of association, and to be free from forced labour, child labour and discrimination. 
          Open source document
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Discrimination/Gender Rights/Harassment
          1/4
          New Balance require that their suppliers ensure no employees are subject to discrimination based on gender.
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
  • Commitment strength
    17/36
    Avg. score
  • Reporting and Implementation
    7/34
    Avg. score
  • Social considerations
    5/16
    Avg. score

Profile

New Balance Athletic Shoes is a manufacturer of athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories and is present in more than 50 countries around the world. Its products include sports shoes, running, and hiking shoes, sports clothing and bags. Leather features in several of its footwear products. The company is one of the top ten footwear retailers globally by brandshare. It is also among the top ten in China and Hong Kong, as well as in the US.

Sector
Industry sector 
Apparel & footwear
Segments
Manufacturer
HQ
HQ 
United States
Company Type
Company type 
Private
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

New Balance, Warrior, P.F.Flyers, Brine

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.