H&M Scocial Responsibility and Sustainability

Social Responsibility

• H&M business concept is to offer fashion and quality at the best price making sure that products are manufactured under good conditions: taking responsibility for how their operations affect people and the environment is an essential prerequisite for H&M.

• H&M drew up a code of conduct in 1997 to promote sustainable development. It is based on the Un convention on the rights of the Child and on the ILO’s ( International Labour Organization) conventions on working conditions and employment rights. Factories that don’t meet the requirements receive assistance to help them improve and develop.

• The code of conduct includes the following stipulations: ban on child labour (no one under the age of 15 should be employed), good working environment and fire safety, reasonable working hours and wages, right to organise and ban on discrimination, environmental and chemical restrictions.

• Cooperation and partnership:

1. H&M supports the 10 principles of the Global Compact on human rights, working conditions, environment and anti-corruption

2. H&M contributes to the Millennium Development Goals (chemical restrictions and water treatment)

3. H&M is a member of the Business Forum, part of the Amnesty Business Group.

4. H&M supports the work of the British aid organization WaterAid, to improve access to and quality of water for people in Asia and Africa.

5. H&M has been involved in the Fair Labour Association (FLA) since 2006 to safeguard worker’s rights and improve their working conditions.

6. H&M works with recognised aid organisations to donate cloths for chairity.

• Contribution to social development:

1. H&M invests in young people in Bangladesh (training course in sewing for young people in Dhaka)

2. H&M supports the international “25 by 2005” campaign which aims at accelerating the development of girl’s education.

3. H&M works in...