June 23, 2020 – With mounting public pressure for transparency, ethical standards, and environmental accountability, major clothing brands have responded to consumer demands by announcing animal welfare policies. FOUR PAWS recently analyzed the response from the fashion industry and shares the findings in the world’s first Animal Welfare in Fashion Report. This report looks deeply into which companies are addressing animal welfare risks in their supply chains, with a focus on four key spotlight issues of material consideration – wool, down, exotic leather and fur. 

Using analytical rigor and evidence-based research, the report highlights the risks of animal-based supply chains in fashion, to animals and brands and retailers. The results are based on a study of 77 leading global and U.S. brands, with the majority owned by nine of the world’s top 20 publicly listed fashion companies that have an estimated market value of over $550 billion. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the fashion industry to a halt, it also delivered an opportunity for industry to take stock and consider its true impact.

While much of the debate on the social impacts of the fashion industry to date has focused on its environmental impact and how its workers are treated, customer concern for animals is growing exponentially. A 2019 You Gov poll found that 74% of Americans are concerned about the welfare and treatment of animals in at least one fashion category. Now more than ever, people are demanding that brands take responsibility for animals in their supply chains.
 

FOUR PAWS research estimates that over two billion animals are used in the global fashion industry every year in the wool, fur, and leather industries alone, many of which suffer from poor living conditions, painful physical mutilation practices, chronic stress, and brutal deaths.

Thus, FOUR PAWS developed the world’s first Animal Welfare in Fashion Report to raise awareness and recognition of these fundamental issues. 

The findings? The fashion industry comes up short in delivering concrete changes with only 21% of brands tracing even a portion of the animal derived materials. While there have been efforts made by several brands on animal welfare, FOUR PAWS research has found that most brands lack:

1. An awareness of animal welfare issues found in common textile supply chains. Only 38% of the fashion brands consider animal welfare risks to some degree in their supply chains and purchasing practices.
2. Thorough and effective animal welfare policies. Just 25% of fashion brands have formal animal welfare policies in place to help safeguard animals from these risks. And just 9% of those have both an animal welfare policy and meet at least three of five best practice animal welfare principles as set out by FOUR PAWS.
3. Traceability in animal-based fashion supply chains, and end-to-end traceability overall. There is a real gap between what brand’s formal policies and statements say, and what they actually do. Only 35% of those with an animal welfare policy are tracing at least some of their animal-based materials, with more than half the brands demonstrating zero evidence of knowing anything about the animal-based textiles they source.
4. Transparency to customers about where animal-based products come from and the welfare risks for the animals involved. Just 21% of brands implement assurance schemes which prioritize animal welfare i.e. certified wool and down.

But it is not all bad news, as there are many brands that have taken proactive steps forward. FOUR PAWS has also researched the key steps every responsible brand should take to minimize their risk and to maximize their ethical credentials. 

To integrate animal welfare in a sustainable fashion future, FOUR PAWS recommends that brands:

1. Need to cover the basics on animal welfare such as developing a robust animal welfare policy with a vision and an implementation plan, for how to achieve and monitor good animal welfare and transparency practices.
2. Make a credible commitment to animal welfare, including the adoption of the best available certification systems, with the highest standards of animal care, to ensure traceability and be able to verify the brand’s claims made in relation to animal welfare.
3. Address, monitor, and report on animal welfare risks in the supply chain, including the incorporation of animal welfare considerations in decisions by corporate social responsibility and compliance teams and departments involved in sourcing, purchasing, and design.

The Animal Welfare in Fashion Report  is part of the FOUR PAWS global Wear it Kind campaign, raising awareness about key animal welfare issues in fashion and providing vital information to both fashion stakeholders and customers about how to create a fashion industry which values animals, people and the environment they share. In the past year, over 180,000 people have taken a FOUR PAWS animal welfare in fashion action.