Adidas Addresses Allegations of Involvement in Deforestation and Modern Slavery in Sports Shoe Production

Adidas has responded to accusations made by investigative journalism platform Follow the Money, claiming that the production of its sports shoes is linked to the exploitation of workers and deforestation in the Amazon. The report specifically mentioned the Gazelle and Spezial trainers, suggesting that the leather used in their production is sourced from Brazilian meat producers engaged in Amazon deforestation and that workers in Brazil are subjected to unethical conditions akin to ‘modern slavery.’ In response to these allegations, Adidas issued a statement to FashionUnited.

Stefan Pursche, spokesperson for Adidas, vehemently denied the claims, stating, “We reject the allegations.” He emphasized that Adidas has instituted mandatory standards for sourcing raw materials, particularly for leather products, focusing on animal welfare and environmental protection across all global suppliers. The company has been an active member of the Leather Working Group since 2006, a non-profit organization setting standards for environmentally responsible leather production. Pursche highlighted that over 99 percent of their leather undergoes scrutiny according to the Leather Working Group (LWG) protocol, with the majority sourced from tanneries with the highest LWG rating (LWG Gold).

Additionally, Pursche emphasized Adidas’ commitment to regular checks and a robust response mechanism for any unethical practices. “Adidas is committed to fair labor practices, fair wages, and safe working conditions in its global supply chain,” he stated. A dedicated team of approximately 50 experts globally ensures the enforcement and adherence to labor standards, conducting over 1,200 factory audits of suppliers by 2022. If violations occur, Adidas has a sanction mechanism in place that can lead to the termination of business relationships.

Adidas, a prominent German multinational in the sportswear industry, utilizes materials like polyester, cotton, and leather in its sports shoes. The majority of Adidas’ production is outsourced to various countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Turkey, and Pakistan.