Rains

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• China 

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

Rains states that they are committed to forming long term supplier relationships, and to ensure this they only work with one direct manufacturing facility, which is located in China. According to their 2024 Statement on Modern Slavery, they conduct yearly supplier audits, both announced and unannounced, to ensure compliance with their requirements. However, Rains does not publish the results of these audits.

Additionally, Rains is a member of amfori BSCI, a business association with a shared code of conduct and a social audit system. 
BSCI is not a certification, and membership does not guarantee fair working conditions or living wages.

China carries a high risk of long working hours, limited freedom of association and wages below a living wage. Rains does not disclose whether the workers at its supplier earn a living wage.

MATERIALS 

• Polyester 
• Nylon 
• Acrylic 
• Elastane 

Rains relies mainly relies on synthetic fibres. The sourcing of these materials has a significant environmental impact: They are made from non-renewable petrochemical resources, and their production consumes substantial amounts of water and energy, and releases CO2 emissions. Additionally, their environmental impact doesn’t end after production. During the use phase of these products, microplastic pollution is likely.

Older pages on the Rains website mention targets to use recycled polyester and recycled nylon by 2021. However, there are no up-to-date percentages of recycled content, and Rains does not report whether these targets were met.

Rains could reduce their environmental impact somewhat by switching to recycled alternatives. Whilst these would still shed microplastics, they would reduce the brand’s consumption of raw materials.

PACKAGING 

Rains does not clearly disclose what packaging materials they use.

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

Rains states that all components of their products are compliant with REACH, the EU chemicals regulation. However, REACH is a legal requirement for all products sold in the EU. 

The brand also claims that its PU coating is more environmentally friendly than PVC and PFC-based coatings, but it shares no data or certifications to back this up. 

Additionally, their products are synthetic and are treated with a PU (polyurethane) coating. If washed, they are therefore likely to shed microplastics, contributing to water pollution. Rains does not disclose any information on water usage in its production.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Whilst Rains’ products are mostly 100% polyester, they are coated with PU, a different plastic, which could make recycling more difficult. 

Rains does not disclose whether its products are designed to be easy to repair.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

Rains does not disclose any circular business models on their website, such as a repair service or return scheme, take-back scheme, resale or rental.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Production locations:

• China 
• The brand’s headquarters are located in Aarhus, Denmark.

As Rains only works with one direct supplier in China, the final production step looks relatively simple. However, the brand does not disclose where they source their raw materials from, which could add considerable length to the overall supply chain. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Rains does not disclose what transportation methods they use in their supply chain or for e‑commerce, which will influence how high their associated emissions are. 

Rains does not use any animal-derived materials in their garments. 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

Rains states that it focuses on durability and product care. All their products are covered by a 2 year warranty. However, the EU legal guarantee already covers 2 years, so this is not an extra benefit. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

It is not clear how many collections they release each year.

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

Rains always shares what materials were used on their product pages, although they do not disclose where the materials were sourced from. Consumers might also struggle to know where their purchases were made, as this information is only available on their Modern Slavery Statement, and so is not readily accessible. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

Some level of transparency is provided on Rains’ website, although this could be taken much further. In particular, by publishing an annual report on the environmental and social aspects of the brand, their sustainability efforts would be clearer to consumers.