By After years of campaigning, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. adopts a new sourcing policy on controversial wood-based fabrics!
Thanks to the work of RAN supporters, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has taken action, and adopted a new policy to address deforestation and related human rights abuses in its supply chain. Your phone calls, petitions, social media posts, and in-person actions through the Out of Fashion campaign helped increase awareness of this issue with this important brand. Thank you.
Abercrombie & Fitch’s new policy covers the sourcing and use of popular but controversial wood-based fabrics, including rayon, viscose and modal, in its clothes. A&F has committed to trace the sources of all wood-based fabrics used in its own clothing lines and to eliminate by mid-2018 any sources connected to the destruction of endangered forests and associated violation of human rights. This new policy will cover all of A&F’s brands including its Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids and Hollister brands.
A&F is now joining the sea change of over 100 brands who have adopted policies to ensure that rainforest destruction and related human rights abuses are not a part of their clothing. The company stands out with Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret (L Brands) as one of the few major US-based companies to publicly address these issues.
A&F’s new policy amplifies a strong market signal to producers in Indonesia, Canada, South Africa and Brazil where the production of pulp for fabrics has had major impacts on natural forests, as well as on the Indigenous and local communities who depend on the forests. For example, in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, over 20 cases of land conflict have been documented where traditionally-owned lands have been cleared and converted to plantations, without the community’s consent, to make pulp for fabric and paper production.
This is an important first step. As we know, true success will only occur when frontline communities feel the impact of these policies at the forest floor. RAN looks forward to our continued work with Abercrombie & Fitch to ensure that its policy creates real change on the ground. Together, we’ll celebrate our success and ensure companies follow through on their promises.
