Is Simons Fast Fashion? How Ethical & Sustainable is Simons

No, Simons is not considered a fast fashion brand. The Canadian retailer operates on a more traditional seasonal collection model with longer production lead times and a focus on quality over rapid, high-volume trend replication.

While Simons has made meaningful sustainability commitments, including achieving B Corp status, its ethical practices have notable gaps, particularly concerning wage transparency and factory conditions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its practices.

Is Simons Ethical?

Simons demonstrates a moderate commitment to ethical sourcing, with a supplier code of conduct and some third-party audits, but it lacks the deep transparency and wage guarantees of leading ethical brands.

Labor Practices

Simons requires suppliers to follow its code of conduct, which aligns with international labor standards, and conducts annual audits in high-risk countries like Bangladesh and China. However, wage data is limited. Publicly available reports suggest workers in some supplier factories earn between $180–$250 per month, which falls significantly short of the estimated living wage of around $350 per month for the region.

Supply Chain Transparency

While the company publishes a supplier list and works with third-party auditors like Sedex, it does not disclose detailed audit results or a comprehensive list of all factory locations. This lack of full transparency makes it difficult for consumers and watchdogs to independently verify working conditions and wage claims across its entire supply chain.

Animal Welfare

Simons has a policy against using fur and exotic skins, and it claims to source materials like wool and leather responsibly. However, the brand does not hold any third-party animal welfare certifications like PETA-Approved Vegan or the Responsible Wool Standard, making its claims difficult to verify.

Where Simons Falls Short Ethically

• Lack of a Living Wage Guarantee: There is no evidence that Simons ensures workers throughout its supply chain are paid a verifiable living wage.
• Limited Audit Transparency: The company does not publicly share the results of its factory audits, obscuring the specific issues found and the remediation efforts taken.
• Minimal Animal Welfare Certifications: Claims of responsible sourcing of animal-derived products are not backed by third-party verifications.
• Past Safety Violations: Audits have previously revealed safety issues in some supplier factories, highlighting the need for stricter ongoing monitoring.

Is Simons Sustainable?

Simons is making credible progress on sustainability, underscored by its B Corp certification and clear environmental targets. However, the company still relies heavily on conventional materials and needs to improve its data reporting.

Materials & Sourcing

Approximately 30% of Simons' collection is made with more sustainable materials, including 15% GOTS-certified organic cotton, 10% GRS-certified recycled polyester, and 5% TENCEL™ Lyocell. The remaining 70% of its products use conventional materials like non-organic cotton and virgin synthetic fibers, which have a higher environmental impact.

Environmental Impact

The brand has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 20% by 2025 and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, but progress metrics have not been publicly shared. They have also implemented more efficient dyeing processes to reduce water consumption in selected factories.

Circularity & Waste

Simons has an in-store recycling program for used clothing, though its scope and impact are limited. They manage unsold inventory through outlet sales and donations and have experimented with using deadstock fabric in some collections. However, a comprehensive repair or take-back program is not yet in place.

Sustainability Goals & Progress

Simons holds B Corp certification since 2020, a rigorous certification that validates its commitment to social and environmental performance. Its goals include reaching 50% sustainable materials by 2030 and reducing waste to landfill by 2025.

Where Simons Falls Short in Sustainability

• Reliance on Conventional Materials: The vast majority (70%) of products are still made from non-sustainable fibers.
• Lack of Transparent Reporting: Success data on water consumption, chemical usage, and carbon emissions is not publicly disclosed, making it hard to verify its claims.
• Limited Circularity Initiatives: The lack of a comprehensive take-back program and longevity incentives are weak points.
• Greenwashing Concerns: Promoting sustainability without transforming the core business model raises concerns among critics.

Conclusion

Simons' efforts towards ethics and sustainability are commendable but not yet consistent throughout its operations. The B Corp certification is an excellent step, but there is room for improvement in transparency and commitment.