Uniqlo publishes list of core fabric mills

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Dec 4, 2018

Fast Retailing is taking steps to become more transparent by publishing a list of Uniqlo and GU’s core fabric mills and factories.

The Japanese clothing group said the move is part of its ongoing commitment to “increasing transparency across its supply chain in order to help protect the environment, to ensure proper working conditions for all, and to help safeguard human rights”.

The list of suppliers includes fabric mills and sewing factories in China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea, Malaysia and Turkey, all of which Fast Retailing claims to have monitored to ensure compliance with its Code of Conduct for Production Partners.

Some of the initiatives being taken by the retailer since 2004 include regular independent testing of factory wastewater to help eliminate hazardous chemical discharges. The company also uses the Higg Index, a suite of tools developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, to help fabric mills reduce energy and water consumption.

Uniqlo had also published a list of 146 core factory suppliers last year after facing pressure from activists groups claiming worker rights violations in some of its Chinese factories.

In revealing its main fabric suppliers, Fast Retailing joins a group of fashion and sports brands trying to embrace transparency in the supply chain, including Levi Strauss, Adidas, Primark, Arcadia, Marks & Spencer, H&M and Nike.