ASOS plc — Ethics Grade D

ASOS plc receives an overall ethics grade of D (32/100) on CancelCo's corporate accountability database. Sector: Fashion & Apparel. Market cap: Mid Cap.

Category scores

• labor: 30
• privacy: 80
• consumer: 45
• environment: 25
• humanRights: 20

Documented incidents (3)

• Supply Chain Modern Slavery Concerns (high, 2022) — Investigations by NGOs linked ASOS's supply chain to forced labor practices involving Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region of China. The company was pressured to provide more transparency regarding its cotton sourcing and audit processes.
• Greenwashing Investigation (medium, 2023) — The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigated ASOS for making misleading environmental claims about its 'Responsible edit' collection. The company subsequently removed the collection branding to avoid legal action.
• Warehouse Working Conditions (medium, 2016) — Reports surfaced citing 'exploitative' conditions at the Barnsley warehouse, including invasive security searches and restricted toilet breaks. Workers reported feeling like 'machines' under intense monitoring systems.

Documented good deeds

• Circular Design Guide — Launched a comprehensive training program for designers focused on circular economy principles to ensure clothing is recyclable.

Ethical alternatives

• Patagonia — High transparency in supply chain and profits dedicated to environmental causes.