H&M Group (Hennes & Mauritz AB) — Ethics Grade C-

H&M Group (Hennes & Mauritz AB) receives an overall ethics grade of C- (45/100) on CancelCo's corporate accountability database. Sector: Fashion & Apparel. Market cap: Large Cap.

Category scores

• labor: 40
• privacy: 80
• consumer: 55
• environment: 45
• humanRights: 45

Documented incidents (3)

• Xinjiang Cotton Backlash (high, 2021) — H&M faced a massive boycott in China after expressing concern about reports of forced labor in the Xinjiang region. While taking an ethical stance, the company later struggled to balance human rights concerns with market access.
• Incineration of Unsold Stock (high, 2017) — Investigations revealed that H&M had been burning tons of unsold clothing in Denmark, despite its public sustainability marketing. This highlighted the waste inherent in the fast-fashion business model.
• Syrian Refugee Child Labor (high, 2016) — Reports found Syrian refugee children as young as 10 working in Turkish garment factories supplying H&M, highlighting failures in supply chain auditing.

Documented good deeds

• Looop Recycling System — Implemented in-store garment-to-garment recycling systems to encourage circular fashion and reduce textile waste.

Ethical alternatives

• Eileen Fisher — Leader in circular design and B Corp certified for high ethical standards.