Overview
Farm Rio, a Brazilian women's clothing and lifestyle brand founded in 1997, is known for its vibrant, nature-inspired prints and has increasingly positioned itself as a sustainability-focused company. As part of Grupo Soma, it publishes annual sustainability reports aligned with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and became a Certified B Corporation in 2023, scoring 85.1 out of 200 on the B Impact Assessment (exceeding the 80-point threshold for certification). This certification evaluates performance across governance, workers, community, environment, and customers, signaling a commitment to balancing profit with positive socio-environmental impact. However, independent ratings like Good On You give it an overall "It's a Start" score, highlighting progress in some areas but gaps in others, such as overproduction and supply chain transparency. Overall, Farm Rio's products show moderate sustainability—better than fast fashion but not yet a leader in the industry.
Social and Ethical Practices
Farm Rio emphasizes "people" as a core pillar, with a strong Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) strategy, above-minimum wages for corporate staff, and community partnerships (e.g., with indigenous Yawanawa artisans and women's cooperatives like Tecendo Sonhos). It discloses Tier 1 suppliers via Open Supply Hub, enforces a Supplier Code of Conduct prohibiting child/forced labor, and conducts SMETA 4-Pillar audits (covering labor, health/safety, ethics, and environment). For animals, it has a Welfare Handbook and avoids certain exotic materials, earning an "It's a Start" from Good On You.
Environmental Impact
Farm Rio draws inspiration from Brazilian biodiversity and has set ambitious climate goals: Net Zero emissions for scopes 1 and 2 (direct operations and energy) by 2030, and scope 3 (supply chain) by 2050. It achieved 100% carbon neutrality for its operations in 2021 and offsets emissions through verified carbon credits and reforestation. The brand's "One Purchase, One Tree Planted" initiative, launched in 2019 in partnership with organizations like One Tree Planted and Instituto Curicaca, has planted over 1 million trees across all Brazilian biomes as of 2024, contributing to ecosystem regeneration and biodiversity protection (e.g., partnerships with NGOs like Instituto Vida Livre for wildlife rehabilitation).On materials and production, Farm Rio uses some lower-impact fabrics like organic cotton, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose (sustainably sourced), and recycled materials in select lines, but it relies heavily on high-emission synthetics and viscose (88% of products sewn in Brazil, with some in China). It conducts chemical testing to restrict hazardous substances like PFAS and follows ZDHC guidelines for denim, reducing water and energy use. Packaging is plastic-free, using recyclable paper, and the brand holds the Eureciclo seal for full packaging recyclability.Waste and circularity efforts include repurposing 82 tons of fabric in 2022 for community projects, a "RE-FARM" upcycling line from surplus stock, and donations of 100% textile waste to artisan cooperatives. It partners with resale platforms like Enjoei, Poshmark, and ThredUp for secondhand sales and held its first global sample sale in 2024 to minimize overproduction waste. However, with over 700 exclusive prints and 4,500 styles annually, critics note high-volume production undermines these efforts, contributing to textile waste and emissions without disclosed reduction targets for overproduction.
Conclusion
Farm Rio's products are reasonably sustainable for a mid-tier brand, with credible efforts in carbon offsetting, reforestation, and circularity that go beyond many peers. Its B Corp status and transparent reporting build trust, making it a solid choice if you prioritize Brazilian-rooted, joyful fashion with eco-elements. However, high production scales, synthetic-heavy materials, and gaps in chemical/water management mean it's not fully sustainable yet—opt for their "responsible materials" lines to minimize impact. For the latest, check their 2024 Sustainability Report on farmrio.com. If sustainability is your top priority, pair purchases with resale to extend garment life.