Two plaintiffs have voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit against the global fashion retailer, H&M which had accused the company of misleading consumers with false sustainability claims.
The lawsuit, initially filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, centered around allegations that H&M misrepresented the environmental benefits of its products through its "Conscious" collection and recycling programs.
The plaintiffs, Chelsea Commodore and Rakeedha Scarlett, argued that H&M's marketing and labeling gave the false impression that their products were made with recycled or organic materials, thereby deceiving consumers into believing they were purchasing environmentally friendly garments.
This case was one among several that highlighted the scrutiny H&M faced over its environmental impact and the use of the Higg Index—a tool developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to measure and report on the sustainability profiles of clothing items.
Investigations, including a notable one by Quartz, revealed discrepancies in H&M's reporting, suggesting that the retailer had inflated or inaccurately portrayed the environmental scores of its clothing.
Despite these controversies, the voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit on December 19th, 2023, suggests a resolution without further legal proceedings.
While the reasons behind the plaintiffs' decision remain undisclosed, such actions can occur when a settlement is reached, or if the plaintiffs believe continuing the suit would result in hardship.
H&M has consistently maintained its commitment to sustainability, aiming to use 30% recycled materials in its commercial goods by 2035. As of 2022, the company reported it had reached a 23% threshold. However, most of H&M's products are still made from conventional materials, which have a significant environmental footprint.
The dismissal of this case does not leave H&M entirely free from legal scrutiny over its sustainability claims. Other lawsuits with similar allegations have been filed, reflecting a growing consumer demand for transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability practices.
