Fashion Ethics and Sustainability
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Fashion Law course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
AAS, or Alternative Apparel Sourcing, refers to the practice of finding a… #
AAS, or Alternative Apparel Sourcing, refers to the practice of finding and working with suppliers that adhere to higher social and environmental standards, it is closely related to CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility, and due diligence in supply chain management, for instance, companies are now looking for suppliers that have obtained certifications such as Fair Trade, Organic, or Bluesign, this approach helps companies reduce their environmental footprint and improve the working conditions of garment workers, for example, Patagonia, a well-known outdoor apparel brand, has implemented an AAS program that requires its suppliers to meet strict social and environmental standards.
B Corp, or Benefit Corporation, is a certification awarded to companies t… #
B Corp, or Benefit Corporation, is a certification awarded to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental responsibility, it is related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Stakeholder engagement, B Corp certification is given to companies that demonstrate a commitment to using business as a force for good, and to creating positive impact for their stakeholders, including workers, customers, and the environment, for example, Seventh Generation, a company that produces eco-friendly household products, is a certified B Corp, and has made a commitment to reduce its environmental footprint and promote sustainability throughout its operations.
Carbon Footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are produ… #
Carbon Footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are produced by a particular company, product, or activity, it is closely related to terms such as Climate Change, Sustainability, and Supply Chain Management, reducing carbon footprint is an important aspect of fashion ethics and sustainability, as the fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, for example, companies such as H&M and Zara have implemented programs to reduce their carbon footprint, such as using renewable energy sources, reducing waste, and implementing sustainable supply chain practices.
Circular Business Model refers to a business approach that is restorative and re… #
Circular Business Model refers to a business approach that is restorative and regenerative by design, it is related to terms such as Circular Economy, Sustainable Consumption, and Waste Reduction, a circular business model is designed to keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them, and recover and regenerate materials at the end of each product's life cycle, for example, companies such as Rent the Runway and ThredUp have implemented circular business models that promote clothing rental and reuse, reducing the need for new, resource-intensive garments.
Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, refers to a company's commitment to ope… #
Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, refers to a company's commitment to operating in a way that is ethical, responsible, and sustainable, it is closely related to terms such as Sustainability, Stakeholder engagement, and Supply Chain Management, CSR involves a company's efforts to improve the lives of its stakeholders, including workers, customers, and the environment, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas have implemented CSR programs that address issues such as labor rights, environmental sustainability, and community development.
Due Diligence refers to the process of investigating and evaluating the social a… #
Due Diligence refers to the process of investigating and evaluating the social and environmental practices of a company's suppliers, it is closely related to terms such as Supply Chain Management, Risk Assessment, and Compliance, due diligence is an important aspect of fashion ethics and sustainability, as it helps companies identify and mitigate risks in their supply chains, for example, companies such as Apple and Gap have implemented due diligence programs that require their suppliers to meet strict social and environmental standards.
Eco #
Friendly refers to products or practices that are designed to minimize harm to the environment, it is related to terms such as Sustainable, Green, and Environmental Responsibility, eco-friendly products are made from materials that are recycled, biodegradable, or sustainably sourced, for example, companies such as Patagonia and Reformation have implemented eco-friendly production methods that reduce waste and minimize environmental impact.
Fair Labor Association, or FLA, is a non #
profit organization that promotes fair labor practices and responsible supply chain management, it is closely related to terms such as Labor Rights, Compliance, and Supply Chain Management, the FLA works with companies to improve the working conditions of garment workers and to promote fair labor practices throughout the supply chain, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas are members of the FLA and have implemented programs to improve labor practices in their supply chains.
Fair Trade refers to a trade practice that promotes fair prices, safe wor… #
Fair Trade refers to a trade practice that promotes fair prices, safe working conditions, and sustainable livelihoods for farmers and workers, it is closely related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Supply Chain Management, fair trade certification ensures that products are made in accordance with strict social and environmental standards, for example, companies such as Fair Trade USA and the Fair Trade Federation promote fair trade practices and certify products that meet these standards.
Fast Fashion refers to a business model that emphasizes speed, low costs, and hi… #
Fast Fashion refers to a business model that emphasizes speed, low costs, and high volume, it is closely related to terms such as Unsustainable, Waste, and Environmental Degradation, fast fashion has been criticized for its negative social and environmental impacts, including the exploitation of garment workers, the use of cheap and toxic materials, and the generation of massive amounts of waste, for example, companies such as H&M and Zara have been criticized for their fast fashion business models, which prioritize speed and low costs over sustainability and social responsibility.
Greenwashing refers to the practice of making false or misleading claims about t… #
Greenwashing refers to the practice of making false or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product or company, it is closely related to terms such as Sustainability, Marketing, and Compliance, greenwashing is a marketing tactic that is used to promote a company's environmental credentials, even if they are not genuine, for example, companies such as BP and Volkswagen have been accused of greenwashing for making false claims about their environmental sustainability.
ISO 14001 refers to an international standard for environmental management syste… #
ISO 14001 refers to an international standard for environmental management systems, it is closely related to terms such as Environmental Management, Sustainability, and Supply Chain Management, ISO 14001 certification is awarded to companies that demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas have implemented environmental management systems that meet the ISO 14001 standard.
Labor Rights refer to the rights of workers to fair wages, safe working c… #
Labor Rights refer to the rights of workers to fair wages, safe working conditions, and freedom from exploitation, it is closely related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Supply Chain Management, labor rights are an important aspect of fashion ethics and sustainability, as the fashion industry has a history of exploiting garment workers, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas have implemented programs to improve labor practices in their supply chains, including the payment of living wages and the provision of safe working conditions.
Life Cycle Assessment, or LCA, refers to a method of evaluating the environmenta… #
Life Cycle Assessment, or LCA, refers to a method of evaluating the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle, it is closely related to terms such as Environmental Sustainability, Supply Chain Management, and Product Design, LCA is a tool that is used to identify areas of environmental impact and to develop strategies for reducing waste and improving sustainability, for example, companies such as Patagonia and Reformation have used LCA to evaluate the environmental impacts of their products and to develop more sustainable production methods.
Material Sourcing refers to the process of selecting and procuring materials for… #
Material Sourcing refers to the process of selecting and procuring materials for use in products, it is closely related to terms such as Sustainable Materials, Supply Chain Management, and Product Design, material sourcing is an important aspect of fashion ethics and sustainability, as the choice of materials can have significant environmental and social impacts, for example, companies such as H&M and Zara have implemented sustainable material sourcing programs that prioritize the use of recycled and sustainable materials.
OECD, or Organisation for Economic Co #
operation and Development, is an international organization that promotes economic growth, prosperity, and sustainability, it is closely related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Supply Chain Management, the OECD has developed guidelines for responsible business conduct, including guidelines for supply chain management and labor practices, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas have implemented programs to improve labor practices in their supply chains, in accordance with OECD guidelines.
Recycling refers to the process of collecting and processing materials that woul… #
Recycling refers to the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash, it is closely related to terms such as Sustainable Materials, Waste Reduction, and Environmental Sustainability, recycling is an important aspect of fashion ethics and sustainability, as it helps to reduce waste and conserve natural resources, for example, companies such as H&M and Zara have implemented clothing recycling programs that encourage customers to recycle their old clothes.
Social Accountability refers to a company's commitment to operating in a way tha… #
Social Accountability refers to a company's commitment to operating in a way that is responsible and ethical, it is closely related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Supply Chain Management, social accountability involves a company's efforts to improve the lives of its stakeholders, including workers, customers, and the environment, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas have implemented social accountability programs that address issues such as labor rights, environmental sustainability, and community development.
Stakeholder Engagement refers to the process of identifying and engaging with st… #
Stakeholder Engagement refers to the process of identifying and engaging with stakeholders who have an interest in a company's operations, it is closely related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Supply Chain Management, stakeholder engagement is an important aspect of fashion ethics and sustainability, as it helps companies to understand and address the concerns of their stakeholders, for example, companies such as Patagonia and Reformation have implemented stakeholder engagement programs that prioritize the needs and concerns of their stakeholders.
Supply Chain Management refers to the process of managing and coordinating the f… #
Supply Chain Management refers to the process of managing and coordinating the flow of goods, services, and information from raw materials to end customers, it is closely related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Compliance, supply chain management is an important aspect of fashion ethics and sustainability, as it helps companies to identify and mitigate risks in their supply chains, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas have implemented supply chain management programs that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility.
Sustainable Fashion refers to a design approach that prioritizes environmenta… #
Sustainable Fashion refers to a design approach that prioritizes environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic viability, it is closely related to terms such as Circular Economy, Sustainable Consumption, and Waste Reduction, sustainable fashion involves the use of sustainable materials, the reduction of waste, and the promotion of fair labor practices, for example, companies such as Patagonia and Reformation have implemented sustainable fashion programs that prioritize environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Transparency refers to the practice of being open and honest about a comp… #
Transparency refers to the practice of being open and honest about a company's operations and practices, it is closely related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Compliance, transparency is an important aspect of fashion ethics and sustainability, as it helps companies to build trust with their stakeholders and to promote accountability, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas have implemented transparency programs that prioritize openness and honesty in their operations and supply chains.
UN Guiding Principles, or UNGP, refer to a set of guidelines for businesses on <… #
UN Guiding Principles, or UNGP, refer to a set of guidelines for businesses on human rights, it is closely related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Supply Chain Management, the UNGP provide a framework for companies to respect and promote human rights throughout their operations and supply chains, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas have implemented programs to respect and promote human rights in their supply chains, in accordance with the UNGP.
Waste Reduction refers to the practice of reducing the amount of waste ge… #
Waste Reduction refers to the practice of reducing the amount of waste generated by a company's operations, it is closely related to terms such as Sustainable Materials, Supply Chain Management, and Environmental Sustainability, waste reduction is an important aspect of fashion ethics and sustainability, as it helps to conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impacts, for example, companies such as H&M and Zara have implemented waste reduction programs that prioritize the recycling and reuse of materials.
WRAP, or Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production, is a certification… #
WRAP, or Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production, is a certification program that promotes responsible and sustainable manufacturing practices, it is closely related to terms such as CSR, Sustainability, and Supply Chain Management, WRAP certification is awarded to companies that demonstrate a commitment to social and environmental responsibility, for example, companies such as Nike and Adidas have implemented WRAP certification programs that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility in their supply chains.