Materiality Analysis

The foundation of HUGO BOSS' sustainability strategy
Sustainability is a broad subject. To determine which sustainability topics are particularly relevant for HUGO BOSS and its stakeholders, the company conducted a materiality analysis in 2019 and updated it in 2021. The insights gained from it form the foundation of the HUGO BOSS sustainability strategy. The materiality analysis showed us that climate protection is particularly important. Our commitment in this area is based on our commitment to the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.

How was the analysis carried out?

To define a structure for the analysis, the value chain was divided into four stages

  1. Raw material extraction and materials
  2. Production (including own production)
  3. Administration, distribution, logistics
  4. Products (use, closing the loop)

HUGO BOSS identified potentially relevant sustainability topics at each of these stages, taking the requirements of internationally recognized sustainability standards and ratings into account.

In the further course of the analysis, HUGO BOSS analyzed the 21 individual aspects with regard to three categories: 

  1. Importance
    The relevance of the issues to various stakeholders was assessed through an evaluation of stakeholder inquiries, Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) ratings, recent research findings, and media coverage.
     
  2. Impact
    Economic, environmental, and societal impact of the Company on the respective topics. These impact analyses were conducted in workshops. The results of the natural capital evaluation were also incorporated here.
     
  3. Relevance
    Relevance of the respective topics for the Company’s success (analysis of business relevance). Like the impact analysis, this analysis was also conducted in workshops with the HUGO BOSS sustainability department and other relevant specialist departments.

As such, the materiality analysis satisfies the requirements of both the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the CSR Guidelines Implementation Act (CSR-RUG). The results of the analysis are incorporated into the company’s ongoing strategic work. The individual fields of action implement the insights in their practice.

The results of the materiality analysis were approved by the managing board within the Sustainability Committee.

What were the results of the materiality analysis?

The clusters were summarized in a materiality matrix according to their importance to stakeholders and the company’s impact. When the business relevance is also taken into account, this approach identifies the topics that are especially material to the sustainability strategy.

Among the most important topics:

  • Climate protection in production (including own production)
  • Occupational health and safety in production (including own production)
  • Human rights and labor standards in production (including own production).

Further information on the most important topics can be found on the subpages of the website.