There are an overwhelming and ever-expanding number of sustainability assessments, and brands are increasingly publishing their own information about sustainability. However, the quality and extent of disclosure remains highly variable. 

Good On You’s methodology is designed to provide a clear framework based on consistency and transparency—bringing together the most credible standards, certifications, third party assessments, brands’ public reporting, and other trusted sources of public information into one comprehensive rating. 

Good On You’s team of expert analysts frequently engage with brands and relevant stakeholders to stay at the forefront of industry initiatives. This process of continual review is reflected in updates across the methodology to incorporate emerging issues, initiatives, and leading indicators of industry best practice. In prior ratings reviews, Good On You has engaged key organisations such as Fairtrade, Fashion Revolution, Fashion for Good, and Four Paws.

 

The following principles guide our approach:

1. Transparency comes first

Brands should publish information about their supply chain to increase accountability and drive improved outcomes for people, planet and animals. They should report the extent to which they adopt known good practices designed to address critical sustainability issues. Consumers have a right to know how a brand impacts the issues they care about.

2. Consider lifecycle impacts and circularity

Companies should be held responsible for their impact on the environment, workers, and animals at each stage of the value chain, from how products are produced and distributed to how they are used, and then reused, repaired, reinvested in regenerative and circular systems and ultimately, disposed of.

3. Be comprehensive

The ratings system should consider a broad range of sustainability issues to give a comprehensive view of a brand’s overall impact on the environment, workers, and animals. It should be capable of applying to all brands in
the market.

4. Be consumer-centric

The ratings system should provide consumers data that is accessible, comparable, and easy to use. It should inform consumer shopping decisions, provide useful feedback to brands, and enable retailers to assess, source, and market sustainable brands.

5. Consider issues in proportion to their materiality

Ratings should place appropriate weight on each issue according to how much impact it has on the environment, workers, and animals

6. Ensure an evidence-based approach

The rating system and its application should be transparent, based on robust research, and underpinned by good governance processes.

7. Engage and collaborate widely

Good On You is part of a global movement for change and should work collaboratively with civil society, consumer organisations, and sustainability- focussed industry leaders to understand, reflect, and drive industry best practices and leadership.

 

Dive deeper into how Good On You ratings work

This guide to the brand rating system [PDF] goes deeper into how Good On You rates fashion brands.