Is H&M ethical?

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Labor & working conditions Confirmed Against

H&M bought cotton from children in India

H&M bought cotton grown by children in India according to a rights group's report.

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web.archive.org
Adidas, H&M and The Gap bought cotton grown by children in India, rights group’s report says

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

H&M violates NYCHRL by denying disability accommodations

H&M violated the NYCHRL by denying equal terms and failing to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.

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nyc.gov
This decision affirms that respondents, H&M and Winter Entities, violated the NYCHRL by denying equal terms, conditions, and privileges to patrons on the basis of disability, and failing to provide reasonable accommodations for people with certain disabilities.

Corporate conduct Recall Against

H&M recalls children's sleepwear for burn hazard

H&M recalled children's sleepwear sets due to violation of federal flammability standards and burn hazard.

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cpsc.gov

H&M Recalls Children's Sleepwear Sets Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard (Recall Alert)

H&M Recalls Children's Sleepwear Sets Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard (Recall Alert)

Corporate conduct Allegation Against

H&M is accused of using false environmental scorecards

H&M is accused of allegedly using false and misleading 'environmental scorecards' for its products called 'Sustainability Profiles.'

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yahoo.com
The crux of the case focused around H&M's alleged use of "false and misleading 'environmental scorecards' for its products called 'Sustainability Profiles.'"

Labor & working conditions Confirmed Against

H&M was investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman in Australia amid claims that 1,500 of its Australian staff were underpaid

Fast fashion giant H&M is under investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) amid claims that roughly 1,500 of its Australian staff were underpaid, potentially millions of dollars.

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business-humanrights.org
Fast fashion giant H&M is under investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) amid claims that roughly 1,500 of its Australian staff were underpaid, potentially millions of dollars.

Corporate conduct Settlement Against

H&M settles for failing to transfer gift-card balances

H&M settled for knowingly concealing its obligation to transfer unused gift-card balances to states in violation of the NYFCA.

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ag.ny.gov
Beginning in 2008, and continuing until the Effective Date, H&M LP thus knowingly concealed or knowingly and improperly avoided or decreased its obligation under the APL to transfer to the State unused gift-card balances, in violation of the NYFCA.
finance.yahoo.com
H&M settles with New York State over hoarding of consumer gift card funds

Labor & working conditions Confirmed You decide

H&M supports collective bargaining for better wages

H&M Group CEO Daniel Ervér stated collective bargaining is key to promoting good working conditions and improved wages.

2 sourcesRead sources
business-humanrights.org
H&M Group CEO Daniel Ervér added that well-functioning industrial relations, including collective bargaining, are key in promoting good working conditions and improved wages, viewing it as a step towards a more sustainable fashion industry.
business-humanrights.org
IndustriALL Global Union and H&M sign global framework agreement

Corporate conduct Recall Against

H&M recalls children's bathrobes for flammability violation

H&M recalled children's bathrobes due to failure to meet flammability standards.

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au.lifestyle.yahoo.com
Product recall for H&M children's hoodie over fears customers could suffer 'serious burns'
The children's hooded dressing gown from H&M was originally recalled in June last year but more affected batches have been found.
A children's hoodie sold at H&M has been recalled for not adhering to mandatory standards.
cpsc.gov

H&M Recalls Children's Bathrobes Due to Violation of Flammability Standard (Recall Alert)

H&M Recalls Children's Bathrobes Due to Violation of Flammability Standard (Recall Alert)
saferproducts.gov

No excerpt available. Read the original source for details.

Corporate conduct Settlement Against

H&M settles to implement policy changes and provide $10 e-gift card restitution

H&M agrees to implement policy changes and provide restitution through $10 e-gift cards as part of a settlement.

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santabarbara.courts.ca.gov
In addition, Fineman states that the recovery for each class member, if the settlement is approved, will include equitable relief through H&M’s implementation of changes to its policies and practices, and restitution consisting of replacement e-gift cards valued at $10.

Corporate conduct Allegation Against

H&M is accused of greenwashing recycled products

H&M is accused of making false and misleading statements about its recycled and organic products.

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law.com
A greenwashing suit accusing clothing company H&M of making false and misleading statements about its recycled and organic products is moving forward after a federal judge in Missouri determined a customer sufficiently alleged claims for concealment and unfair practices.
Greenwashing Allegations Against H&M Over Recycled Clothing Claim Can Proceed, Fed. Judge Rules | Law.com

Corporate conduct Recall Against

H&M recalls girls' leggings due to choking hazard

H&M recalled girls' leggings after identifying a choking hazard.

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cpsc.gov

H&M Recalls Girls’ Leggings Due to Choking Hazard

H&M Recalls Girls’ Leggings Due to Choking Hazard

Corporate conduct Allegation Against

H&M is accused of misleading sustainable marketing

H&M is accused of engaging in unlawful unfair and deceptive practices through its 'Conscious Choice' sustainable clothing line.

3 sourcesRead sources
business-humanrights.org
Netherlands: H&M and Decathlon to remove sustainability labels from products following investigation by regulator into potentially misleading claims
business-humanrights.org
According to the complaint that they filed in a federal court in Missouri on November 3, Abraham Lizama and Marc Doten (the “plaintiffs”) allege that H&M has engaged in “unlawful, unfair, deceptive, and misleading business practices” by way of the marketing and sale of its “self-proclaimed sustainable clothing line called the ‘Conscious Choice’ Collection.”
USA: Class-action lawsuit filed against H&M over 'misleading' marketing of ‘sustainable’ clothing line - Business and Human Rights Centre
inverse.com
Don’t say it, just do it — H&M has already been called out for greenwashing: In 2020, the Norwegian Consumer Authority accused the brand of misleading shoppers with its Conscious collection (which still exists today).

Labor & working conditions Confirmed You decide

H&M store workers ratify three-year contract

Workers at H&M stores in New York ratified a three-year contract after five months of negotiations.

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business-humanrights.org
After five months of negotiations, workers at H&M stores in New York have overwhelmingly ratified a landmark three-year contract, underscoring the value of UNI’s global agreement with [H&M] in enabling workers to organize and bargain collectively.

Corporate conduct Recall Against

H&M recalls girls' water shoes for fall hazard

H&M recalled girls' water shoes due to a documented fall hazard.

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cpsc.gov

H&M Announces Recall of Girls' Water Shoes for Fall Hazard

H&M Announces Recall of Girls' Water Shoes for Fall Hazard

Corporate conduct Recall Against

H&M recalls children's water bottle due to choking hazard

H&M recalled children's water bottles sold exclusively in H&M stores because of a choking hazard.

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cpsc.gov

H&M Recalls Children's Water Bottle Due to Choking Hazard, Sold Exclusively at H&M Stores

H&M Recalls Children's Water Bottle Due to Choking Hazard, Sold Exclusively at H&M Stores

Corporate conduct Recall Against

H&M recalls baby denim and knit jackets

H&M recalled baby denim and knit jackets due to a documented safety risk.

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cpsc.gov

CPSC, H&M Announce Recall of Baby Denim and Knit Jackets

CPSC, H&M Announce Recall of Baby Denim and Knit Jackets

Climate & energy Confirmed In favor

H&M achieves 41% emissions reduction in 2025

H&M achieved a 41% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against a 2019 baseline in 2025, driven by 95% renewable electricity in its supply chain.

1 sourceRead sources
vogue.com
In 2025, H&M achieved a 41% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against a 2019 baseline, driven largely by an increase in renewable electricity (which reached 95% of the group’s supply chain in 2025).

Labor & working conditions Allegation Against

H&M is accused of singled out

H&M is accused of being singled out in reports highlighting abuse by female garment workers in Asian factories.

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globalcitizen.org
H&M and Gap have been singled out in the two reports from Global Labour Justice, highlighting the “daily reality” of abuse faced by their female garment workers across factories in Asia, according to the Guardian.
independent.co.uk
Workers in factories which supply H&M in Cambodia earned less than half the estimated living wage, a figure which dropped to around a third for those living in India and Turkey, the CCC report stated.
H&M has been accused of failing to pay the garment workers who supply its high-street stores a fair “living wage”.
H&M accused of failing to ensure fair wages for global factory workers | The Independent | The Independent

Corporate conduct Recall Against

H&M recalls men's clasp beaded bracelets

H&M recalled men's clasp beaded bracelets due to a lead poisoning hazard from high lead content.

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cpsc.gov

H&M Recalls Men's Clasp Beaded Bracelets Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard; High Levels of Lead Content

H&M Recalls Men's Clasp Beaded Bracelets Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard; High Levels of Lead Content

Corporate conduct Recall Against

H&M recalls promotional water bottles

H&M recalled promotional water bottles following a CPSC announcement.

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cpsc.gov

CPSC, H&M Announce Recall of Promotional Water Bottles

CPSC, H&M Announce Recall of Promotional Water Bottles