Animal Welfare
At HUGO BOSS we are strongly committed to following recognized standards for animal welfare. We are opposed to animal testing and to inappropriate animal husbandry and breeding methods. On these grounds, we do not use Angora wool, farmed fur, exotic leathers, animal bones, or animal teeth. We exclusively use leather that is a by-product of the food industry. The down that we use is obtained without live plucking or force feeding. In order to manage resources responsibly and efficiently, we also use recycled animal-based fibers, such as certified recycled wool.
HUGO BOSS strictly adheres to recognized species-protection requirements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We also follow the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health and recognize the five domains model as a guiding principle for animal welfare. The five domains define minimum requirements for physical factors, but above all the mental state related to animal husbandry.
Based on this, HUGO BOSS has published an Animal Welfare Policy that outlines the company's expectations and principles regarding animal welfare and species protection. The company drafted this with the help of the Animal Welfare Policy Development Guidelines in Textiles from the global animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS. The company's own measures, which have already been implemented, were also taken into account. In addition, we have collaborated with animal welfare organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for many years to achieve improvements in animal welfare.
Materials of animal origin certified according to recognized standards are a way for us to support animal welfare standards. We are aware that these standards do not 100 percent guarantee that all specifications are met on site. Therefore, we remain in close contact with our partners and organizations, and also support, for example, on-site farm inspections.
Beyond, if quality and performance are in line, we are also open to substitutes for animal-based materials. That is why we are looking for vegan alternatives and are testing them. Beyond, we currently see the use of recycled animal materials as an alternative to reducing the production of new animal materials. However, we will continue to examine whether individual animal materials can be reduced or excluded. For our commitment to replace animal-based materials with vegan alternatives in selected styles, we were already honored with the Vegan Fashion Award by PETA Germany in 2017 and 2025. In 2020, we presented the first BOSS Menswear vegan suit that PETA Germany certified with the “PETA-Approved Vegan” label.
Leather
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Use at HUGO BOSS
Due to its luxurious appearance and high durability, leather is used in many HUGO BOSS products – for example, in jackets, shoes, bags, and accessories. In 2025, leather comprised 5% of all our materials used.
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Animal welfare aspects
HUGO BOSS uses only selected leather types. We are committed to using only skins, which are by-products of the food industry. The use of leather also has environmental aspects, such as in the tanning process – read more about this here.
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Measures
In late 2016, HUGO BOSS stopped using farmed furs and exotic leather types. Instead, we exclusively use hides, that are a by-product of the food industry. We also use vegan imitations in selected styles.
Wool
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Use at HUGO BOSS
HUGO BOSS uses high-quality types of wool, such as Merino, for its knitwear, suits, and more. This natural material has many positive properties: it is thermo-regulating, soft to the skin, and especially durable. In 2025, wool comprised 6% of all our materials used.
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Animal welfare aspects
Wool is one of the most important fibers obtained from animals for the textile production. The process of responsible wool sourcing includes responsible sheep farming, gentle shearing of the animals, and especially, avoidance of the painful mulesing process. At HUGO BOSS, we are continually working to increase the use of mulesing-free wool. Currently, 68% of the wool we use is mulesing-free. By 2030, we aim to use exclusively mulesing-free wool. We have made this intention - to expand the use of mulesing-free wool - clear once again by signing the “Brand Letter of Intent” of the animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS.
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Measures
The HUGO BOSS Animal Welfare Policy describes all the requirements of responsible wool procurement and especially considers animal welfare aspects, as mentioned above. Together with various initiatives such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), ZQ-Merino and many other smaller organizations, HUGO BOSS is continuously increasing its share of wool from preferred sources.
In another animal welfare measure, HUGO BOSS banned the use of angora wool completely, because its production normally involves procedures that are extremely painful to the animals.
Down
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Use at HUGO BOSS
This special kind of feather is popular due to its thermo-regulating properties. As such, it is used primarily for outerwear products at HUGO BOSS. In 2025, down comprised less than 0,1% of all our materials used.
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Animal welfare aspects
Here, as well, animal welfare is crucial. Forced feeding and live plucking pose special problems.
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Measures
HUGO BOSS exclusively uses down that is produced without live plucking or forced feeding and has documented origins. 100% of the down used is certified according to DOWNPASS or is recycled.
Other animal-based fibers
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Cashmere
HUGO BOSS uses cashmere due to its soft hand feel in some of its high-end knitwear products. In 2025, cashmere comprised around 0,2% of all our materials used.
To support industry development regarding animal welfare in cashmere production, HUGO BOSS contributed to the development of “The Good Cashmere Standard®” by the Aid by Trade Foundation. The standard is based on the five domains model dedicated to improving animal welfare. In addition, it includes social and environmental criteria. As part of our goal to source 100% of our main natural materials from preferred sources* (*according to the HUGO BOSS material strategy), we are continuously working to increase the share of certified cashmere. In 2025, we have already reached 72% certified cashmere.
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Mohair
In 2025, mohair comprised less than 0.1% of all our materials used. At HUGO BOSS, we only use mohair that comes from Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) certified sources. The RMS aims for a species-appropriate goat husbandry and gentle shearing in mohair production. In addition to animal welfare aspects, it also addresses a more sustainable approach to the environment.
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Silk
We are aware that silk production is critical in terms of animal welfare. Its use at HUGO BOSS is extremely low: less than 0.1% of all materials used. Where possible, we work with alternative, plant-based textiles that are comparable to conventional silk. These include, for example, modal or tencel, both of which are derived from wood fibers.