On 1st May, UK legislators will examine the sustainability of big fashion retailers H&M and Boohoo as part of a follow-up evidence session held by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), which will revisit its historic 2019 inquiry into the fashion industry.
EAC MPs will question representatives from H&M and Boohoo, among other prominent fashion businesses that have declined to testify in person.
The shops will likely face questions from the committee regarding the specific actions they have made to lessen their environmental effect after the release of the 2019 “Fixing fashion: clothing consumption and sustainability” report.
MPs are expected to question Boohoo’s responsible sourcing director and Marcus Hartmann, the head of public affairs at H&M, on topics like overproduction, textile waste, and their use of sustainable materials during Wednesday’s session.
Among the G20 countries, the UK has the fourth-highest carbon impact from fashion, according to research by the think tank Hot or Cool Institute.
The Committee will also look at the influence of the growth of resale marketplaces like Thrift+ on clothes consumption patterns, specifically if they lead to a decrease in excessive fashion or an increase in it.
A Boohoo spokesperson said, “We were very happy to accept the Committee’s invitation to appear at this session and provide an update on these important issues.”
