Next
LON : NXT
2020-2021 Apparel & Footwear
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No Steps
Basic Steps
Some Steps
Intermediate Steps
Advanced Steps
Relevant information for up to three-quarters of the indicators (and at least half of them).
SUMMARY
Next plc (Next), one of the UK’s largest apparel retailers, has taken intermediate steps to address forced labor risks in its supply chains. It discloses more information than the global sector average. However, other UK apparel retailers such as Marks and Spencer or Primark disclose taking stronger steps. While Next discloses that it is working on tracing its supply chains down to tier five and some steps towards addressing labor risks in cotton sourcing, it does not disclose any steps it has taken to address the risks of alleged Uyghur forced labor across all supply chain tiers, nor does it reveal engaging with rightsholders or their representatives such as exiled Uyghur groups or the Coalition to End Uyghur Forced Labor. KnowTheChain identified two additional allegations of indicators of forced labor in Next’s supply chains. Next does not disclose engaging impacted stakeholders or remedy outcomes for workers (or, in the case of a denied allegation, a description of actions it would take to remediate such cases).
SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSPARENCY
Supplier List (Including Names and Addresses)
Yes
Information on Supply Chain Workforce
Yes
SUBSET OF INDICATORS
The KnowTheChain methodology assesses companies’ efforts to address forced labor risks in their supply chains. It is based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and covers policy commitments, due diligence, and remedy. The methodology uses the ILO core labor standards (which cover the human rights that the ILO has declared to be fundamental rights at work: freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, and the elimination of forced labor, child labor, and discrimination) as a baseline standard.
Legend
| Not Met |  |
| Partially Met |  |
| Met |  |
| Not Applicable |  |
Supplier Code of Conduct and Integration into Supplier Contracts
The company has a supplier code of conduct that requires suppliers to respect the ILO core labor standards, which include the elimination of forced labor; and integrates the ILO core labor standards into supplier contracts.
Policy/Process
Outcomes
Management and Accountability
Internal Management
Board Oversight
Stakeholder Engagement
Local Stakeholder
Peers
Risk Assessment
Purchasing Practices
Recruitment Fees
Freedom of Association
Working with Unions
Example of Improvements
Grievances Mechanism
Remedy Programs / Responses to Allegations