Response by Zalando to Gisela Burckhardt's rejoinder
Zalando is aware of its responsibility to people and planet and, as a young company, we have set ourselves ambitious goals in terms of both our entire supply chain and the transparency and sustainability of the fashion store... Below you will find more information on the topics addressed by Mrs. Burckhardt: sustainability in the shop, transparency and auditing of our suppliers... [W]e are always open for a constructive exchange...
Currently, we already highlight over 6,000 products... This highlighting is offered as an orientation for our customers. For all products in the Zalando Fashion Store we set our minimum requirements for product safety and our ethical procurement standards...
Our customers will find sustainable fashion flagged with "Sustainability" in the shop and can filter their search correspondingly...
On the product side, we give our customers further information and seals to make a good purchasing decision...
We [...] were recognized in the Fashion Transparency Index in 2018 by increasing our score by 11% from 2017...
Verifying that our procurement partners comply with our Code of Conduct and treat employees in our supply chain ethically and fairly is an essential part of our work with our own brands zLabels...
[W]orking conditions are directly linked to product safety and the management systems of a production facility...
We are also working hard to build closer relationships with suppliers and implement programs to improve working conditions in factories that go beyond auditing and support local factories. Our supplier in Bangalore, India is also actively involved in various programs. Over the last few months we have already been in exchange with Cividep and have agreed to extend the invitation to their training to our supplier.