Boohoo faces significant scrutiny for reengaging with a supplier previously cut off due to modern slavery concerns.
- The supplier, GN Euro, now operates under a new name in Morocco, distancing from its troubled past in Leicester.
- Boohoo asserts that its current dealings are transparent, with all garments sourced from a vetted Tangier-based site.
- Despite efforts to overhaul its supplier practices, Boohoo’s supply chain remains under intense scrutiny by campaigners.
- The controversy rekindles debate over ethical practices in fast fashion, a sector often plagued by such issues.
Boohoo, the prominent fast fashion company, is under fire for renewing its business relationship with a supplier it previously terminated due to a modern slavery scandal. GN Euro, which now operates under the name Euro Touch, has established a new factory in Tangier, Morocco, after being disengaged by Boohoo in 2021. This re-engagement has drawn criticism as it appears to contradict Boohoo’s publicly stated commitment to ethical supplier practices.
Following severe criticism and subsequent disengagement from over 400 suppliers amid allegations of low wages and poor working conditions in 2020, the company had been working to regain consumer trust. An undercover investigation by The Sunday Times initially exposed the poor conditions, leading to an independent review by Alison Levitt KC, which verified these claims. As a result, Boohoo had embarked on a so-called ethical overhaul, publishing a global supplier list intending to illustrate transparency and improved standards.
The firm insists that it maintains strict protocols for on-boarding suppliers, ensuring that each partner adheres to its high standards. A Boohoo spokesperson stated that all current suppliers must pass through rigorous due diligence checks, including signing a code of conduct and undergoing regular audits by Boohoo’s ethical teams. The spokesperson reiterated that any supplier unable to meet these standards would not be considered for business.
Despite these assurances, campaigners argue that fundamental issues persist within Boohoo’s supply chain. Critics emphasise that while Boohoo claims to avoid doing business with non-compliant manufacturers, the evidence of re-engaging GN Euro suggests otherwise. The case has sparked renewed scrutiny and debate about the effectiveness and sincerity of Boohoo’s ethical commitments.
The controversy shines a light on the fast fashion industry’s broader challenges regarding ethical sourcing and transparency. Boohoo’s decision to reengage with a once-disengaged supplier could potentially undermine its efforts to portray an image of improved ethical standards.
Boohoo’s efforts to enhance its supply chain transparency are questioned as concerns over ethical practices resurface.
