Yes, Promod is considered a fast fashion brand, although it operates at a more moderate pace than ultra-fast giants like Zara or H&M. The brand relies on rapid, trend-driven seasonal collections, affordable pricing, and an outsourced production model common in the industry.
While Promod meets some basic ethical standards, it lacks transparency regarding factory conditions and shows no evidence of paying living wages. Its sustainability efforts are minimal, with a heavy reliance on conventional materials and no clear, science-based targets for reducing its environmental impact. Here's what you need to know about Promod's practices:
Promod's business model incorporates several key characteristics of fast fashion, prioritizing speed-to-market and trend-responsiveness over timeless design and sustainability.
Promod's ethical practices meet minimum industry compliance standards but fall significantly short of what is considered truly ethical and transparent.
Promod manufactures in countries like Turkey, Morocco, and India, where labor standards can be inconsistent. The company states it adheres to a supplier code of conduct but provides scarce public information on worker wages, hours, or safety conditions. Without independent verification or third-party audits, there is a risk that workers in its supply chain are not paid a living wage, a common issue in these regions.
Promod publishes a list of its suppliers, which is a step towards transparency. However, this list is not detailed, regularly updated, or accompanied by audit results or corrective action plans. The brand does not hold prominent certifications like SA8000 or Fair Trade, which makes it difficult for consumers to verify its claims about factory conditions.
Promod primarily uses conventional fabrics and does not use fur or exotic animal skins. While it uses wool and down in some products, it fails to provide information on certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) or Responsible Down Standard (RDS) to ensure animal welfare was protected during sourcing.
Promod’s sustainability efforts are underdeveloped and lack a clear, comprehensive strategy, placing it far behind industry leaders.
The vast majority of Promod's collection is made from conventional materials like non-organic cotton and polyester. While the brand uses a very small amount of more sustainable materials - estimated at less than 5% organic cotton and some recycled polyester - it has not made a significant shift in its sourcing. It lacks key fabric certifications such as GOTS or OEKO-TEX across its product range.
Promod does not publish data regarding its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. The company has not set science-based targets for reducing its emissions or announced a commitment to carbon neutrality. Its reliance on conventional manufacturing practices suggests a significant environmental impact typical of most fast fashion retailers.
The brand has no significant take-back, resale, or repair programs to manage its products at the end of their life cycle. Packaging is still largely plastic-based, and there is little information available about its strategies for managing overstock or production waste, meaning unsold clothes may end up in landfills.
Promod operates as a standard fast fashion retailer whose practices do not align with true ethical or sustainable principles. While it is not as problematic as some of the industry's worst offenders, its lack of meaningful progress and transparency is a major concern for conscious consumers.
Promod receives a C for its ethical practices. The brand meets minimum legal requirements and has taken a basic step by publishing a supplier list. However, this is overshadowed by a severe lack of transparency on wages and working conditions, and an absence of robust third-party certifications to validate its ethical claims.
Promod earns a D+ for sustainability due to its minimal efforts and significant lack of transparency. The company's reliance on environmentally damaging conventional materials, failure to set or report on climate goals, and absence of circular initiatives demonstrate a disinterest in addressing its environmental footprint in a meaningful way.
If Promod's average ethics and poor environmental performance concern you, here are several better alternatives that offer a similar European style with much stronger commitments to people and the planet.
A B Corp and Fair Trade pioneer, People Tree offers timeless styles made from organic and natural materials. They provide full supply chain transparency and guarantee fair wages, making them a leader in ethical fashion with prices from €40-€80.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Combining trendy designs with serious sustainability, Reformation uses over 80% sustainable materials, is Climate Neutral certified, and provides detailed impact reports. Their feminine styles are perfect for those who want fashion-forward pieces without the environmental guilt.
Shop now at thereformation.com
This German B Corp is certified by both Fair Wear and GOTS, ensuring its products are made with organic materials under fair labor conditions. Armedangels focuses on creating high-quality, durable wardrobe staples that are designed to last.
Shop now at armedangels.de
As a certified B Corp known for planting ten trees for every item sold, Tentree offers casual, comfortable clothing made from sustainable materials like TENCEL™, organic cotton, and recycled polyester. They prioritize full supply chain traceability and fair labor practices.
Shop now at tentree.com
Though mainly known for footwear, Veja sets an exceptional standard for transparent and ethical production. They use innovative, sustainable materials like organic cotton and wild rubber sourced from the Amazon, all while ensuring fair wages for producers.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Promod operates at a slower pace with fewer new arrivals compared to giants like Zara or Shein. However, its core business model is fundamentally the same: trend-driven, low-cost clothing with minimal transparency regarding its supply chain and environmental impact.
There is no evidence to suggest that Promod pays a living wage to workers in its supply chain. The brand has not made a public commitment to do so, nor does it provide transparent wage data or certifications from organizations like Fair Trade or the Fair Wear Foundation.
Promod's use of sustainable materials is very limited. It notes using small amounts of organic cotton (estimated at under 5% of its total cotton use) and some recycled polyester, but the majority of its products are made from conventional, non-certified materials.
