Latest social & environmental news and analysis articles 
Articles here will keep you up-to-date on the sustainable and ethical production of textiles, apparel and footwear, from fabric innovations through to the latest factory and retail initiatives – as well as those that don’t make the grade
GERMANY: Jack Wolfskin commits to cleaner outdoor clothing
17 May 2013
As part of plans to remove harmful substances from its production processes and eliminate fluorines by 2020, German outdoor clothing brand Jack Wolfskin is teaming up with two research institutes to develop new fluorocarbon-free textile coatings.
just-style's most read stories this week...
17 May 2013
The most-read stories on just-style this week include a rush by apparel brands and retailers to sign the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, a report on what the agreement entails, and plans by M&S to shake up its supplier base.
US: Apparel groups unveil own Bangladesh safety plans
16 May 2013
A group of North American retailers has gone its own way on strengthening safety efforts at Bangladesh garment factories, setting up a new initiative said to offer a long-term solution that also offers flexibility to "respond to an ever-changing environment."
US: Activists call for halt to Uzbek cotton imports
16 May 2013
A US-based labour and human rights watchdog has filed a formal complaint with the US Customs service calling for a halt on imports of cotton from Uzbekistan grown and harvested with forced labour.
Who has signed the Bangladesh safety accord?
16 May 2013
A total of 33 companies have signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building last month, which killed more than 1,000 people.
Bangladesh safety accord still raises many questions
15 May 2013
There is no doubt that something needed to be done to improve safety standards at factories in Bangladesh making clothes for western brands and retailers. But the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety - details of which were reported on just-style yesterday - seems to raise nearly as many questions as it answers.
BANGLADESH: Wal-Mart won't sign Accord, ramps up inspections
15 May 2013
Wal-Mart has confirmed plans to conduct in-depth safety inspections at its supplier factories in Bangladesh over the next six months after revealing it would not join the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord.
BANGLADESH: More retailers race to join safety accord
15 May 2013
More retailers and brands have joined the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh ahead of the midnight deadline (15 May).
What does the new Bangladesh safety accord entail?
14 May 2013
Yesterday (13 May) was a big day for the Bangladesh garment industry, with retailers finally signing an agreement to improve fire safety in the country's ready-made garment industry after two years of being caught in a stalemate. But what exactly does the new accord entail? Petah Marian takes a first look.
BANGLADESH: Marks & Spencer joins Safety Accord
14 May 2013
Marks & Spencer has become the latest retailer to join the new Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord, which is intended to improve safety in the country's garment factories.
BANGLADESH: Gap seeks modifications to Safety Accord
14 May 2013
US retailer Gap has said it will sign the new Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord, if the agreement on how disputes are resolved is modified.
BANGLADESH: Benetton and N Brown commit to safety accord
14 May 2013
Two more European retailers have this-afternoon signed up to the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, which aims to improve safety conditions in supplier factories.
HONG KONG: Crystal Group grabs gold in environmental awards
14 May 2013
A T-shirt facility operated by Hong Kong based Crystal Group, one of Asia's largest garment manufacturers, has received recognition for its "environmental excellence."
US: New tool to manage restricted substance lists
14 May 2013
Software that can manage Restricted Substance Lists (RSL) across the global supply chain is the latest addition from TEXbase Inc.
UPDATE: BANGLADESH: Retailers rush to join fire and building safety accord
13 May 2013
Fashion firms H&M, Primark, C&A and Inditex (operator of the Zara stores) have joined the Fire and Building Safety Agreement, which is intended to improve safety in Bangladeshi garment factories.
BANGLADESH: Plans to raise garment worker wages
13 May 2013
The Bangladeshi government is to set up a new minimum wage board to review the pay of ready-made garment (RMG) workers and pave the way for an increase in wages.
BANGLADESH: Primark reaffirms compensation plans
13 May 2013
Primark has reaffirmed plans to provide victims of the Rana Plaza factory building collapse with compensation, after being accused of dragging its feet by NGOs.
US: Penn State University reinstates contract with Adidas
13 May 2013
Penn State University has reinstated its contract with Adidas after the sportswear giant reached an agreement on severance pay owed to Indonesian workers by a former subcontractor.
just-style's research roundup
13 May 2013
Featured reports from just-style's research store this week include an overview of the 2013 UK Customer Satisfaction Index for footwear, a look at specialist apparel retailers in Ukraine, and a report on trade and trade policy in five emerging markets.
SINGAPORE: DyStar unit helps analyse factory discharge data
13 May 2013
DyStar's Sustainable Textile Solutions business has helped a number of fashion brands and retailers working to improve chemical management in their apparel supply chains.
US: Patagonia launches new $20m environmental fund and focus
10 May 2013
Outdoor clothing company Patagonia Inc is restructuring its business to focus on its environmental and social focus, including a new $20m investment fund to back start-up companies who share its ethical ideals.
BANGLADESH: NGOs increase pressure on retailers to sign fire safety agreement
10 May 2013
NGOs are increasing pressure on international clothing brands and retailers that source from Bangladesh to sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety following another fatal incident in a garment factory.
BANGLADESH: Doubling wages would add 2p to T-shirt cost
10 May 2013
Doubling the wages of a textile worker in Bangladesh would add just 2p to the cost of a T-shirt bought on the UK high street, according to calculations.
BANGLADESH: US urges buyers to collaborate on safety
10 May 2013
The US State Department, Department of Labor and Office of the US Trade Representative has engaged in talks with US buyers in Bangladesh's garment industry to discuss US Government engagement to improve worker rights and and working conditions in Bangladesh.
just-style's most read stories this week...
10 May 2013
The most read stories on just-style this week include Adidas launching a mobile phone pilot to monitor labour rights at one of its supplier factories, another fatal factory fire in Bangladesh, and unions calling for Bangladesh to sign a fire safety pact.
BANGLADESH: Another fatal fire at apparel factory
9 May 2013
There has been another fatal fire at a Bangladesh apparel factory, just a fortnight after the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building where the death toll has now risen to more than 900.
US: Proposition 65 reform welcomed
8 May 2013
Plans by California Governor Edmund Brown Jr to reform the state’s controversial Proposition 65 warning label legislation have been welcomed by the apparel and footwear industries.
US: 'Chemicals of concern' found in children's products
8 May 2013
Reports filed by companies including Gap Inc, Gymboree Corp, Nike Inc, H&M and Wal-Mart Stores to comply with a Washington State law are said to have shown "chemicals of high concern" in products made or marketed for children, research has discovered.
GERMANY: Adidas monitors labour rights via mobile phone
7 May 2013
Sportswear giant Adidas has launched a mobile phone communication pilot to monitor labour rights at one of its footwear suppliers in Indonesia.
Comment: The crooks and conmen among us
7 May 2013
Today, many if not most importers and retailers are making an honest effort to make Bangladesh a better place to work for customers, suppliers and workers alike. But recent events such as the collapse the Rana Plaza factory building have brought out some important truths, believes David Birnbaum.
