No, Hanna Andersson is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a model that prioritizes quality, durability, and timeless design over rapid, trend-driven production cycles. The brand demonstrates a notable commitment to ethical manufacturing and sustainable materials, though there are still areas for improvement.
While Hanna Andersson's use of organic cotton and its supply chain transparency are commendable, it falls short in ensuring all workers in its supply chain earn a living wage and lacks comprehensive circularity programs. Here’s a detailed look at Hanna Andersson's practices.
Hanna Andersson stands in contrast to the fast fashion model by focusing on quality and longevity rather than high volume and fleeting trends.
Hanna Andersson shows a strong commitment to ethical production, though there are specific areas where it could improve, particularly regarding wages.
Hanna Andersson's production is located primarily in the United States, which enforces strict labor laws. For its overseas factories in countries like China and India, the brand partners with suppliers certified by the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions. Despite these efforts, wage reports indicate that some international factory workers earn around $180-$250 per month, which is below the estimated living wage of $350-$400 for those regions.
The company maintains a high degree of transparency for the industry. It publishes an annual Social Responsibility report that details factory locations, third-party audit results from organizations like the FLA and Sedex, and plans for improvement. While this transparency is a key strength, auditors have occasionally noted minor violations like excessive overtime.
Hanna Andersson avoids using fur, exotic skins, or leather. The brand's focus is on plant-based materials, and its prevalent use of GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton ensures that no harmful chemicals or cruel practices are involved in its material sourcing.
Hanna Andersson's business model is fundamentally built on principles of sustainability, particularly through its material choices and production processes, but there's room to grow in circularity and carbon reporting.
The brand's material choices are its greatest sustainability strength. Approximately 90% of its cotton is GOTS-certified organic, which eliminates synthetic pesticides and reduces water consumption. Additionally, some collections incorporate up to 20% recycled polyester, and the use of OEKO-TEX certified dyes ensures its products are free from harmful chemicals.
Hanna Andersson's factories utilize processes designed to minimize environmental harm, including water recycling systems that reduce consumption by up to 30% compared to industry norms. The brand partners with vendors who engage in regenerative agriculture practices in North America and India, further reducing the impact of its raw material sourcing.
Hanna Andersson promotes durability, creating products that are often handed down, which naturally reduces waste. The brand offers a small take-back program for recycling and uses recycled or biodegradable packaging. However, it lacks comprehensive repair or resale platforms that would create a more circular product lifecycle.
As a certified B Corporation, Hanna Andersson is legally required to balance profit and purpose. The brand has set public goals to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2025 and is working towards achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030.
Hanna Andersson’s focus on durable, timeless clothing made from high-quality, sustainable materials sets it far apart from fast fashion. Its transparency and ethical commitments are strong, although key improvements are needed to make it a true leader in the space.
Hanna Andersson earns a B for its serious ethical commitments, including B Corp certification, FLA-affiliated factories, and strong supply chain transparency. These efforts are substantive and place it well above average. The grade is held back primarily by the documented gap between wages paid and a true living wage in some of its overseas factories, as well as a lack of public data on its corporate diversity.
The brand receives a B+ for its excellent use of sustainable materials, with 90% GOTS-certified organic cotton as its cornerstone. Its eco-friendly manufacturing processes, clear reduction goals, and B Corp status demonstrate a deep commitment to environmental responsibility. To achieve an 'A' grade, it needs to implement a comprehensive circularity program (resale/repair) and provide more detailed public reporting on its complete carbon footprint.
If you appreciate Hanna Andersson's ethos but are looking for brands that go even further in their ethical and environmental commitments, here are a few worth considering:
Considered a leader in corporate responsibility, Patagonia is a B Corp using over 87% recycled materials and guaranteeing Fair Trade Certified production for much of its clothing. The company's Worn Wear program acts as a robust resale and repair platform, actively extending the life of its products and fighting overconsumption.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Pact makes affordable basics using 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton in Fair Trade certified factories, ensuring both environmental responsibility and worker well-being. The brand offers carbon-offset shipping and packages its products in recycled and compostable materials.
Shop now at wearpact.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree guarantees Fair Trade and WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) standards throughout its entire supply chain. The brand exclusively uses sustainable materials such as organic cotton and TENCEL™ Lyocell, focusing on handcrafted skills to create its unique, timeless collections.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Reformation combines on-trend styles with serious sustainability, creating its clothing from over 85% eco-friendly and recycled materials in its own transparent factory in Los Angeles. The certified Climate Neutral company displays a "RefScale" score for each item, tracking its water and carbon footprint savings.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Known for its "Radical Transparency," Everlane shares detailed information on its factories and breaks down the production cost of each item. The company focuses on classic, high-quality wardrobe staples made from materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton, clean silk, and recycled polyester.
Shop now at everlane.com
Hanna Andersson's prices are higher than fast fashion because they reflect the use of premium, durable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and adherence to stricter ethical manufacturing standards. You are paying for clothing that is designed to last years and be handed down, not to be discarded after a single season.
Yes, Hanna Andersson is a certified B Corporation. This means it has met high, verified standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit with purpose.
While Hanna Andersson commits to fair wages that meet or exceed local legal minimums, its own reporting indicates a gap between current wages and estimated living wages in some of its overseas factories. This is a key area for improvement for the brand.
Hanna Andersson manufactures its apparel primarily in the United States, China, and India. The brand maintains transparency about its factory partners and uses third-party auditors like the Fair Labor Association to monitor conditions and ensure compliance with its code of conduct.
