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Nirapon's vision for a safer apparel sector in Bangladesh – Interview 24 Jul 2019

Hannah Abdulla

Bangladesh's newest safety monitoring initiative, Nirapon, has come under fire since its launch earlier this year, with much of the criticism around its focus on monitoring rather than overseeing factory remediation, and the fact it doesn't name or shame non-compliant suppliers. But in a candid interview with just-style, CEO Moushumi Khan suggests getting supplier buy-in and encouraging them in the right way to be compliant is a key factor in increasing workplace safety in Bangladeshi garment factories. 

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How a converged single audit approach marks the next step in responsible sourcing 28 Jun 2019

Hannah Abdulla

An overhaul of the auditing process on factory safety and working conditions is long overdue – and a new initiative launched this month could offer the solution. The Social & Labour Convergence Programme's Converged Assessment Framework enables apparel brands and retailers to align collectively around one standard, reduce the amount of money spent on duplicated auditing, and instead free up resources to improve efficiency and factory working conditions. SLCP executive director Janet Mensink, and Peter Higgins, senior director of global responsible sourcing at VF Corp, tell just-style more.

New global textile microfibre shedding test launched 19 Nov 19

Michelle Russell

The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) has announced details of a new microfibre shedding test method for the textile industry – which it says is the first in the world to be thoroughly tested, validated and internationally aligned.

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Lidl latest to join ACT living wage initiative 19 Nov 19

Michelle Russell

Lidl has become the first German discounter to commit to join the Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT) initiative that commits the retailer to ensuring living wages in its garment and footwear supply chain.

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EU decision looms on Cambodia trade benefits withdrawal 18 Nov 19

Hannah Abdulla

The European Commission has given the Cambodian government a one-month deadline to respond to its findings on the alleged human rights situation in the country before it decides whether it is pulling its duty-free trade benefit.

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Better Work to expand operations in Bangladesh 18 Nov 19

Hannah Abdulla

Better Work, a joint collaboration between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to improve garment worker conditions, plans to expand its operations in Bangladesh.

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Collaborative toolkit promotes women's empowerment 18 Nov 19

Michelle Russell

A new worker training toolkit has launched as part of a joint initiative called the Empower@Work Collaborative aimed at accelerating women’s empowerment and gender equity in apparel supply chains.

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Myanmar Freedom of Association Guideline agreed 18 Nov 19

Beth Wright

After eight months of negotiations, factories in Myanmar that produce for brands who are members of the Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT) living wage initiative have agreed on a Freedom of Association (FoA) Guideline.

Levi Strauss leads on green supply chain in China 4 Nov 19

Beth Wright

Sustainability remains top of mind for the industry with Levi Strauss, Adidas and C&A ranked amongst the leading brands to have made progress in environmental supply chain management in China over the last year, with the apparel sector one of the most active industries when it comes to taking action.

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UK clothing exports to US to be hit by further 25% duties 28 Oct 19

Hannah Abdulla

Cashmere jumpers, anoraks and swimwear made in the UK and exported to the US are among products being hit by an extra 25% tariff as part of the ongoing dispute between the US and the EU over aircraft subsidies.