SUPPLIER
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Stated attributes
Publicly stated commitments — not necessarily independently verified.
Carter's, Inc.
Apparel/Footwear RetailHeadquartered in United States
Carter's is North America's largest children's apparel company with a 'Raise the Future' sustainability platform targeting net-zero emissions by 2040 and 50% GHG reductions by 2030. The company has launched Little Planet, an organic line with GOTS-certified cotton and OEKO-TEX certification, and maintains a supplier code of conduct based on ILO standards with third-party audits. However, concerns persist around labor practices: a major Indian supplier faced allegations of bonded labor conditions in 2021, independent assessments found no evidence of living wages in supply chains, and Green America campaigns have documented Carter's past use of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and arsenic with limited transparency about manufacturing restricted substances.
- GOTS ↗
- OEKO-TEX ↗
- Renewable energy
- Net-zero target
- Sustainable packaging
- Waste reduction
- No forced labor
- No child labor
- Supplier code of conduct
- DEI policy
How Carter's, Inc. scores
Three pillars, scored independently. Higher is better.
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Environmental73.8Likely great
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Labor45Likely fair
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Compliance47.1Likely fair
Reported concerns and allegations
Reports and allegations from named sources, linked so you can read them yourself. Being listed here doesn’t mean a claim is proven.
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Kitex Garments supplier bonded labor allegations
Kitex Garments, a major Indian supplier to Carter's and Walmart, was accused of treating migrant workers as 'bonded laborers' with dismal living conditions in on-site labor camps, restricted freedom of movement, and limited union access. A December 2021 incident resulted in police arrests of 170+ workers.
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Chemical transparency and toxic substances in products
Green America launched a 2019 campaign documenting Carter's use of harmful chemicals including formaldehyde, arsenic, arsenic compounds, and cadmium in products, with insufficient transparency about chemical management policies and lack of Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) to protect workers.
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Silence on forced child labor in Uzbek cotton
As of 2011, Carter's had not publicly addressed the practice of forced child labor in Uzbek cotton harvesting, despite over 70 major apparel brands having policies on the issue. While Carter's has general child labor policies, competitors including The Children's Place and Gap had taken specific action on Uzbek cotton.
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No evidence of living wages in supply chain
Business and Human Rights Centre's Fashion Checker assessment found no public evidence that Carter's suppliers are paying workers a living wage, despite the company's code of conduct commitments.
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California wage and hour violations alleged
Carter's Retail, Inc. faces ongoing California class-action litigation alleging violations of state employment law including failure to provide accurate wage statements, accurate overtime pay, and required meal breaks and rest periods.
Carter's, Inc. products on Amazon
2 products from Carter's, Inc., sold on Amazon (US). Leif earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Leif's rating reflects an independent sustainability assessment of the brand — drawing on
disclosures, third-party certifications, and public information on its practices — not customer reviews.
Ratings are directional, not precise scores.
Read how we rate.
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