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Changes in the Textiles Partnership

News
16.11.2022

Due Diligence, Transparency and Focus Topics

Changes in the Textiles Partnership

In the meeting on 28 September 2022, the Steering Committee adopted a new concept for the Textiles Partnership. In the future, the Partnership's work will focus on three core elements:

  1. Implementing due diligence
  2. Supply Chain Transparency
  3. Addressing focus topics

"In recent years, the environment for the economy in general, and thus also for the textile industry, has changed significantly, for example in the area of regulation, the social and technological environment, as well as among important cooperation partners of the Textiles Partnership. The aim of the new concept is to enable the Partnership's positive contribution to the transformation towards a more sustainable and responsible textile and garment sector and to support our members in this process in the best possible way." Noor Naqschbandi, head of the PST secretariat.

Implementing due diligence

Already in 2017, the Steering Committee decided to align the work in the Textiles Partnership with the due diligence approach as prescribed and recommended by the UN, ILO and OECD. "The clear commitment to the due diligence approach has contributed in no small way to the fact that the Partnership companies are much better prepared for the current and future requirements in the implementation of due diligence and the associated obligations to provide evidence," said the former head of the PST secretariat Jürgen Janssen when he left the Partnership in September (see news article).

What does this mean for the companies in the Textiles Partnership? The new concept also provides for PST members to publicly report every two years on how they implement their due diligence obligations. As before, they can do this on the basis of the Partnership's own Review Process . What is new is that from now on, the Textile Alliance also recognises the report to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) within the framework of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and reporting in accordance with Green Button 2.0 requirements as proof of the implementation of due diligence obligations.

Supply chain transparency

Knowing one's own supply chain is crucial in order to identify grievances and initiate measures that mitigate risks and introduce improvements. The PST supports its member companies in bringing more transparency to their supply chains, among other things with a guideline.

Since 2020, the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles has published an aggregated list with a total of around 6,450 production sites from 23 member companies on the Open Supply Hub. In this way, the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles contributes to the accessible, collaborative, supply chain mapping platform and thus promotes transparency in the industry.

Until now, member companies could voluntarily provide their supply chain data for the aggregated list. From 2023, this will be mandatory for all member companies, and they will have to provide a list of their suppliers, especially ready-made garment factories (Tier 1), on an annual basis. In addition, they are required to gradually increase transparency into the deeper supply chain.

Addressing focus topics
Living Wages and Purchasing Practices
Circular economy and climate protection
Gender equality
Grievance mechanisms and remedy

The Textiles Partnership identifies these four topics as main challenges of the textile and garment industry as well as key elements of the due diligence approach. At the same time, it also sees a particularly large leverage for improvement in these areas.

For all four focus topics there is a Reference frameworkwhich is based on international guidelines and recommendations and presents the goals of the PST. In addition"Individual Commitments"of the member companies: Using standardised indicators, each member can measure progress in the focus topics individually and the Partnership in an aggregated way. The progress is published annually. Details on the reference frameworks and KPIs can be found on the respective focus topic page by clicking on the icons above.

In addition, for all focus topics there will be Joint Action implemented jointly by the members in the production countries. These projects should also make a measurable contribution to the focus topics and contribute to the individual indicators and targets. Participation in these projects is mandatory for members from the 3rd year of membership.

In November, the PST launched a Call for Proposals where members can submit project proposals. At the Members' Meeting on 29 November in Hamburg, the PST members will also discuss the focus topics and develop project ideas.