Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Toolbox

The aim of this module is to assist forest managers, forest policymakers and decision-makers, urban planners, urban foresters, arborists, private landowners and other... Read More...

The Business Case for Supply Chain Sustainability

Supply chain sustainability is increasingly recognized as a key generator of business value and an important element of strong corporate responsibility performance.

Fair Labor Association Accreditation Process

FLA Participating Companies and Participating Suppliers commit to promoting and complying with international labor standards throughout their supply chains. When... Read More...

USGS Water Data Portal (2016)

Provides real-time and historical data, including surface water, groundwater, water quality, water use data, and flood and drought conditions.

HER Project Toolbuilder

The HERproject Tool builder is an online tool to help public health professionals build accurate and culturally relevant training materials for different health... Read More...

Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES)

The Biodiversity Information System for Europe (BISE) is a single entry point for data and information on biodiversity supporting the implementation of the EU strategy and... Read More...

The Breakthrough Pitch

Stretch the sustainability ambitions of your executive team. The Breakthrough Pitch is designed to help you stretch the sustainability ambitions of your company. Its... Read More...

NSF/ANSI 426 - 2017 - Environmental Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility Assessment of Servers

The purpose of this Standard for servers is to establish product environmental performance criteria and corporate performance metrics that exemplify environmental... Read More...

Supply Chain Sustainability - A Practical Guide for Continuous Improvement, Second Edition

Illustrates how Global Compact signatories can implement the ten principles throughout their supply chains and integrate sustainability into procurement strategies. In... Read More...

A new agenda for the board of directors: Adoption and Oversight of Corporate Sustainability

Contains inspiration and recommendations for Boards of Directors on adoption and oversight of corporate sustainability.Global trends like climate change and population... Read More...

Water and Human Rights: Exploring the Roles and Responsibilities of Business (2009)

Primary Functions:Understanding early underpinnings of the Mandate’s guidance on respecting the human rights to water and sanitationThe authors of this paper take the... Read More...

Higg Index

The Higg Index is the core driver of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). This groundbreaking suite of self-assessment tools empowers brands, retailers and facilities... Read More...

Fighting Corruption in the Supply Chain: A Guide for Customers and Suppliers

Outlines common supply chain corruption scenarios and provides a framework and set of tools for addressing them. This resource was updated in 2016.

Business Reporting on the SDGs: An Analysis of the Goals and Targets

This report is a first step towards a uniform mechanism for business to report on their contribution to and impact on the SDGs in an effective and comparable way. It... Read More...

The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability

The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability is a resource to help companies re-engineer themselves for success in a world beset with unprecedented environmental and social... Read More...

SDG Resource Center

The SDG Resource Centre showcases the latest in science, law, business, events and more that can help drive forward the SDGs, drawing on content from across the whole of... Read More...

Protect, Respect and Remedy: a Framework for Business and Human Rights

Responding to the invitation by the Human Rights Council for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations... Read More...

Blueprint for Business Leadership on the SDGs

The Blueprint for Business Leadership on the SDGs aims to inspire all business — regardless of size, sector, or geography — to take leading action in support of the... Read More...

Children's Rights and Business Principles

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights represent a milestone in the business and human rights discussion. However, recognizing the need for... Read More...

ISO 26000 and the International Integrated Reporting (IR) Framework

Both ISO 26000 and the International Integrated Reporting <IR>  encourage organizations to consider how their strategy, operations and governance work together to... Read More...

Future-Fit Business Benchmark, Part 1: Concepts, Principles and Goals Release 1

This document describes the Future-Fit Goals that all companies must strive to reach. It also explains why these goals are required, how they were derived, and how to get... Read More...

Conversion of leather wastes to useful products

The main objective of the present study is to investigate the production of useful materials from different kinds of leather waste. Three different types of tannery wastes... Read More...

What Is Fast-Fashion Actually Doing About Sustainability?

In a nutshell, fast-fashion describes society’s obsession with relentless consumption. This insatiable hunger creates unsustainable demand, meaning big brands have to cut... Read More...

Textile dyeing industry an environmental hazard

Color is the main attraction of any fabric. No matter how excellent its constitution, if unsuitably colored it is bound to be a failure as a commercial fabric. Manufacture... Read More...

Top 10 GRI Sustainability Aspects for the Textiles & Apparel Sector

The top 10 Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) aspects that were determined to be material by the managements of reporting organizations in the Textiles & Apparel Sector... Read More...

Chemicals Management Action Plan Template - DOWNLOAD WORD DOC

Word document with a chart that works as a template for the Chemicals Management Action Plan.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) / Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) / Product Safety Data Sheet (PSDS)

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200(g)), revised in 2012, requires that the chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer provide Safety Data Sheets... Read More...

The Sustainability Fundamentals - Fashion

The Sustainability Fundamentals course provides the knowledge and tools you need to address your sustainability challenges. A largely self-driven course with built in... Read More...

The Global Opportunity Explorer

The Global Opportunity Explorer is a platform which offers direct access to the most innovative solutions and market opportunities.Rooted in over five years of research... Read More...

Children Are Everyone’s Business Workbook 2.0

‘Children Are Everyone’s Business: Workbook 2.0’ is a comprehensive tool designed to guide companies through the ongoing process of learning about and integrating... Read More...

The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy: An Economist Examines the Markets, Power, and Politics of World Trade.

The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy is a critically-acclaimed narrative that illuminates the globalization debates and reveals the key factors to success in... Read More...

Zero Waste Textile Initiative to Keep Apparel, Footwear, Linens Out of the Landfill

The Zero Waste Textile Initiative encouraging residents and businesses to recycle unwanted apparel, footwear and other textiles at an event at Westfield San Francisco... Read More...

NRDC’s 10 Best Practices for Textile Mills to Save Money and Reduce Pollution - A Practical Guide for Responsible Sourcing Version 2.0

To address the rapidly increasing global effect of this industry, in 2009 NRDC approached a group of multinational  apparel retailers and brands to create the Responsible... Read More...

The Textile Exchange Responsible Down Standard: What it Does, and What You Can Do

The down and feather used for insulation in consumer products is sourced from worldwide production and processing supply chains. As a result, retailers and consumers are... Read More...

Cotton 2040 Webinar

The video is an overview of Cotton 2040 an initiative that seeks to enable a systemic shift towards sustainability in the cotton industry by focusing, integrating and... Read More...

Textile Calculator

The Brown and Wilmanns Environmental Textile Environmental Calculator (BWE TEC) helps textile, apparel, and footwear companies deliver environmental performance to their... Read More...

It's time for a Fashion Revolution

This white paper is for people who don’t know that much about the human rights and environmental issues behind fashion but want to know more. It is for those who may have... Read More...

Academic Leaders' Round Table

Academic Leaders' Round Table sought to convene the most influential decision-makers from across fashion education, industry and non-governmental organizations for an... Read More...

MySTeP by OEKO-TEX®

MySTeP by OEKO-TEX® is a database strengthening your textile supply community. The database can be accessed worldwide from any location. As the central database of... Read More...

ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX®

ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® is a mechanism by which textile chemical suppliers demonstrate that their products can be used in a sustainable textile production.The ECO... Read More...

DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX®

DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX® is a comprehensive verification and reporting system that prepares facilities along the textile chain for the requirements requested by the Detox... Read More...

LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX®

The LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX® is a worldwide consistent, independent testing and certification system for leather and leather articles of all levels of production.... Read More...

Clean by Design Initiative

NRDC’s Green Supply Chain Initiative to Clean up the Fashion Industry. The cornerstone of Clean by Design is a set of Ten Best Practices for textile mills that are... Read More...

The Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI)

The Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) provides access to a large amount of relevant information about the impacts of material production used in the apparel,... Read More...

Fairtrade Textile Standard

The Fairtrade Textile Standard is one component of the greater Fairtrade Textile Programme to facilitate change in textile supply chains and related business practices.... Read More...

Manufacturing Restricted Substances List

The ZDHC MRSL V1.1 is a list of chemical substances banned from intentional use in facilities that process textile materials and trim parts in apparel and footwear. The... Read More...

ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines

The ZDHC Programme is creating a new standard in wastewater discharge that goes beyond regulatory compliance to ensure wastewater discharge does not adversely affect the... Read More...

Fixing Fashion Framework

Drawing on this model from health we can propose a framework for fixing fashion - a framework where solutions to achieve a sustainable fashion industry (both those that are... Read More...

Ethical Fashion Guide - Behind the Barcode Report

The Ethical Fashion Guide is a companion to the 2017 Ethical Fashion Report. Use it to help you make everyday, ethical purchasing decisions. Take it with you when you shop... Read More...

2017 Ethical Fashion Report

The Ethical Fashion Report sheds light on what the industry and individual companies are doing to address forced labour, child labour and exploitation. Each report – since... Read More...

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Version 5 .0

The new version of GOTS is a result of a comprehensive stakeholder input process in which various organizations with expertise in organic production, textile processing and... Read More...

Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA)

Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA) is an accreditation body working collaboratively with local textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) companies to ensure their Australian... Read More...

Wet Processing Benchmark

The MADE-BY Wet Processing Benchmark, developed in cooperation with Systainable Solutions, uses actual data to bring transparency and drive change. Using field data from... Read More...

Getting to Know Alpaca

High in the Andes Mountains of South America live one of our favorite animal species, alpaca. What is alpaca?HistoryWhy is alpaca sustainable?Beyond the environment: alpaca... Read More...

Out of Fashion - Stop Fashion from grinding up forests to make clothes

Stand with RAN as we demand the fashion industry address the growing global threat to forests, animals and Indigenous communities of dissolving pulp.  Rain-forests are... Read More...

EcoMetrics for Textiles

An online tool that measures the EDUs (environmental damage units) of textiles. Eco-metrics is a simple tool devised to calculate the environmental impact of the different... Read More...

The Detox Catwalk 2016

Greenpeace launched its “Detox My Fashion” campaign in July 2011 to address this problem, asking the textile industry to urgently take responsibility for its contribution... Read More...

Detox Catwalk 2016 – Performance Results of Selected Apparel Companies

Document providing further detail on companies analyzed and their performance in detoxing their apparel and footwear products.  Companies covered include Adidas, Levis,... Read More...

Fashion Transparency Index 2017

A review of 100 of the biggest global fashion brands and retailers ranked according to how much they disclose about their social and environmental policies, practices and... Read More...

Polyester Standard

When we think of plastic, images of plastic bottles, grocery bags, and food containers instantly come to mind. While those are perhaps the most recognizable forms of... Read More...

SDG Compass (2015) by UNGC, GRI, WBCSD

Primary Functions:Learn how you can align your strategies as well as measure and manage your contribution to the realization of the SDGs.The SDG Compass provides guidance... Read More...

Well dressed?

Our clothes are getting cheaper, they follow fashion more rapidly and we’re buying more and more of them. At the same time, we hear more about poor working conditions in... Read More...

Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP) 2020 Commitment

The Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP) 2020 Commitment is avoluntary agreement targeting every stage of the clothing journey. It brings together retailers, brands,... Read More...

The Truth About Cashmere

Woven into the soft luxury of a cashmere sweater is a harsh tale involving climate change, capitalism and consumption. As we think more and more about how our clothes... Read More...

Valuing our Clothes

Valuing our clothes is a summary of the key findings of a major technical report published by WRAP. It presents estimates of the carbon, water and waste footprints of... Read More...

Textile Technology Business Center

Identifying the need for a credible knowledge center, PaCT has established in partnership with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA),... Read More...

PaCT Advantage

PaCT enables textile factories to gain sustainability in their businesses by setting up an in-house resource management diagnostic tool called PaCT Advantage. PaCT... Read More...

Textile Sustainability Platform

PaCT is the first program in Bangladesh to establish a dialogue platform, called Textile Sustainability Platform (TSP), at the national level to address issues pertaining... Read More...

Better Mills Initiative in China

The Better Mill Initiative (BMI) aims to improve the sustainability performance of wet processing in the textile supply chain in China. The program, initiated by... Read More...

Plan A 2025 Commitments: An ambitious customer focused sustainability Plan

 Our customers’ world is changing fast. They are living through a period of great political, social and technological disruption. They’re looking for organizations they can... Read More...

Advancing life cycle assessment of textile products to include textile chemicals. Inventory data and toxicity impact assessment

Textile products are used by almost everybody throughout the world, fulfilling basic human needs such as keeping us warm and contributing to our social position. Every year... Read More...

Responsible Wool Standard - Kick Start program

Take a look at what you are required to contribute and how you will benefit from becoming a “Kick Starter.” The best part is that your contributions will not only make you... Read More...

Planet Textiles

The Planet Textiles annual event on sustainability was first launched in Hong Kong in 2009. The issues of water availability, water conservation in wet processing,... Read More...

OECD Substitution and Alternatives Assessment Tool Selector

The Tool Selector is designed to provide information on tools that can be used in conducting chemical substitutions or alternatives assessments. The filters below may be... Read More...

Prefered Substances List

Concerning Materials, Parts, Chemicals, Components, Packaging and Other Goods (including Sundries)The objectives of the LS&CO. RSL (2016) are to:Ensure that Materials,... Read More...

BizNGOs Chemical Alternatives Assessment Protocol

The BizNGO Chemical Alternatives Assessment Protocol is a decision framework for substituting chemicals of concern to human health or the environment with safer... Read More...

Introduction to the Chemicals Management Module

The Chemicals Management Module (CMM), developed by the OIA Chemicals Management Working Group, is organized around seven primary objectives; three levels of performance... Read More...

The Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management (AFIRM) Group Supplier Toolkit

The Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management (AFIRM) Group has developed this Restricted Substances List (RSL) Toolkit as part of its mission, “to reduce the use... Read More...

Meeting Customers’ Needs for Chemical Data

Business-to-business communication of chemical data, such as chemical identity and health and safety impacts, along supply chains is critically important to product... Read More...

Restricted Substances List

This restricted substances list by the American Apparel and Footwear Association is intended to provide apparel and footwear companies with information related to... Read More...

CSR Benchmarking Survey Reports

The AAFA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Benchmarking Survey Report provides AAFA member companies with a barometer of how its company's CSR programs compare to the... Read More...

Cotton 2040

The Cotton 2040 initiative is a unique cross-industry partnership, including leading brands and retailers, cotton standards, producers and industry initiatives. It aims to... Read More...

Chemistry for Any Weather Supplemental Report

This report was commissioned by Outdoor Industry Association to serve as a reference document to provide OIA members, and any other interested stakeholders, with context to... Read More...

Hazard Assessment Protocol

Chemical hazard assessment to identify and prioritize chemical substances for possible replacement with safer alternatives is increasingly required by retailers, brands,... Read More...

Product Category Rules - Environmental Product Declaration - Textile yarn and thread

To be able to fulfill high market expectations for a number of practical applications, EPDs (Environmental Product Declaration) have to meet and comply with specific and... Read More...

Greenhouse Gas Protocol - PDF DOWNLOAD

The GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard provides requirements and guidance for companies and other organizations preparing a corporate-level GHG... Read More...

The Cradle to Cradle Case for Good Business

The purpose of the research presented was to:Develop a framework suitable for use by the Institute and stakeholders, to determine the impacts of the pursuit of Cradle to... Read More...

Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard Guidance Document

This guidance document is a supplement to the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard, containing important interpretations and clarifications.

Basic Criteria for Award of the Environmental Label Textiles RAL-UZ 154 Blue Angel - DOWNLOAD

There are many textile standards on paper - but on most products they are missing. And not all label guarantee environmentally friendly standards for the entire production... Read More...

EU Ecolabel Textiles and Footwear / Footwear

EU Ecolabel Footwear products meet criteria that guarantee:       ✓ Limited water pollution during production       ✓ A reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds... Read More...

Water Stewardship Toolbox

This Toolbox is a collection of guidance documents, discussion papers, online tools, and other resources that can help your company build its water stewardship practice. It... Read More...

Made-By

A European nonprofit committed to improving environmental and social conditions in the fashion industry, has created benchmarks to evaluate the sustainability of textiles... Read More...

Environmental Benchmark for Fibres

The Fibre Benchmark compares the environmental impact of the most commonly used fibres in the garment industry, supporting you to shift to more sustainable alternatives.Our... Read More...

The Business Benefits of Sustainability

Businesses around the world are realizing that harmonizing business practices with environmental stewardship is not only the right thing it to do, it is also good business.

Massachusetts Clean Water Tool Kit

A guide to the prevention and control of nonpoint source pollution in Massachusetts.

Textiles, Apparel, Footwear and Luxury Goods Table

This table shows a list of topics identified as relevant by different stakeholder groups. They can be considered as stakeholders’ suggestions or requests for topics to be... Read More...

GoodWeave

GoodWeave aims to redefine the term “transparency” with the Supply Unchained initiative. In collaboration with USAID and co-funded by the Skoll Foundation, the ChainPoint... Read More...

Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing and Production

Companies that join the FLA commit to ten Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing (and/or Responsible Production) and agree to uphold the FLA Workplace Code of... Read More...

Better Work

Better Work – a collaboration between the United Nation’s International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World... Read More...

Bangladesh Fire and work safety initiatives - The Accord

The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (the Accord) was signed on May 15th 2013. It is a five year independent, legally binding agreement between global... Read More...

GSCP - Social Reference Code

The GSCP Reference Tools compile best corporate practices for managing sustainable supply chains.This tool, the GSCP Reference Code, sets out best industry codes of conduct... Read More...

Fair Labor Association Workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Benchmarks

The FLA Workplace Code of Conduct defines labor standards that aim to achieve decent and humane working conditions. The Code’s standards are based on International Labor... Read More...

Ethical Trading Initiative Code

The ETI Base Code is founded on the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and is an internationally recognized code of labor practice.

Brand Performance Check Guide 2016

Fair Wear Standard's (FWF) Brand Performance Check is a tool to evaluate and report on the activities of FWF’s member companies. The checks examine and publicly report on... Read More...

A Bold Experiment in Ethical Clothing: Fair Trade Certified Apparel & Linens Pilot Lessons Learned 2010-2012

The Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) Pilot Program for Fair Trade Certified Apparel is the  first global program to certify facilities making clothing, accessories, and linens with a... Read More...

Factory Standard for Apparel and Home Goods

This document contains the requirements that comprise the Fair Trade USA Factory Standard for Apparel and Home Goods and defines the rules for participation of Apparel and... Read More...

Compliance Criteria for the Factory Standard for Apparel and Home Goods

In the following pages, each standard is followed by a table with its corresponding Compliance Criteria, against which factories are audited. 

UNEP Guidleines for Social Lifecycle Assessment of Products

It is a social impact (and potential impact) assessment technique that aims to assess the social and socioeconomic aspects of products and their potential positive and... Read More...

ISO 26000 - Social responsibility

ISO 26000:2010 provides guidance rather than requirements, so it cannot be certified to unlike some other well-known ISO standards. Instead, it helps clarify what social... Read More...

ISO 26000 and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Learn how ISO 26000 contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

How to use the GRI G4 Guidelines and ISO 26000 in conjunction

This publication helps to relate the social responsibility guidance given in ISO 26000 to the reporting guidance provided by GRI. In particular, this publication provides... Read More...

Forced Labour Convention, 1930

Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour (Entry into force: 01 May 1932)

Social Fingerprint

Social Fingerprint® is a program of ratings, training, and toolkits designed to help companies understand and measure their social impact now, and then learn how to improve... Read More...

ELEVATE Responsible Sourcing Management Model

The Model is a tool developed by ELEVATE to help identify the management practices that will improve efforts to responsibly source private label products. The Model is only... Read More...

The Global Recycled Standard

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third -party certification of Recycled Content, chain of... Read More...

The Content Claim Standard

The Goal of the Content Claim Standard (CCS) is to ensure the accuracy of content claims. The CCS accomplishes this goal by verifying the presence and amount of a given raw... Read More...

Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Audit Protocol

The ZDHC Audit Protocol provides brands with the capability to initiate and self-assess safe handling of chemicals with objectives at foundational, progressive and... Read More...

Global Efluent Guidelines

Untreated wastewater discharged from garment operations directly to the environment—such as to rivers, lakes, and creeks—may harm ecosystems, as well as cause health and... Read More...

Wet Processing Tool

Our Guide to Textile Wet Processing Standards provides an objective and comparative overview of many of the industry certifications related to wet processing. The tool... Read More...

Made-by DETOX package

MADE-BY’s Detox package supports you to proactively address the issue of hazardous chemicals within your supply chain.Over 2,000 different chemicals are used by the fashion... Read More...

MODE Tracker

MODE Tracker is a holistic, transparent and verified progress tracking tool to support fashion brands and retailers in improving their sustainability performance through... Read More...

Getting to Know Cotton

Historian Sven Beckert has written of cotton that it “is as familiar as it is unknown.” [1] Indeed, cotton is all around us, and yet what do we really know about it? Let’s... Read More...

Global Social Compliance Program - Reference Code

The Global Social Compliance Programme is a business-driven programme for the continuous improvement of working and environmental conditions in global supply chains. The... Read More...

Global Social Compliance Program - Audit Process and Methodology Reference tools

The Global Social Compliance Programme is a business‐driven programme for the continuous improvement of working and environmental conditions in global supply chains. The... Read More...

Global Social Compliance Program - Reference tool on Supply Chain Social Performance Management Systems

The GSCP Reference tool on supply chain Social Performance Management Systems (SPMS) has been developed by and for buying organisations (retailers and manufacturers) to... Read More...

Global Social Compliance Programme - Reference tool for Auditing Competence

The objective of this Reference tool for Auditing Competence is to establish the requirements that define a reliable and appropriate level of competence for organisations... Read More...

Fair Wear Foundation Code of Labour Practices

The Code of Labour Practices is based on the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. In the text below,... Read More...

Getting to Know Linen

Few things get us more excited than a great, sustainable fabric. Fabric is the building block of our wardrobes and an important measure of the quality, durability, and... Read More...

Fashion x Corruption

In 2013 over 1,100 fashion workers were killed as the building they were forced to stay in despite visible cracks in the foundation collapsed with the workers inside.We’re... Read More...

Fashion x Toxicity

Have you ever thought about the relationship between food and fashion? We’re not talking here about the fact that they can both be dictated by trends (hello, cronut!). Nor... Read More...

Global Social Compliance Program - Environmental Implementation Guidelines

The Implementation Guidelines complement the GSCP environmental Reference Requirements by giving guidance to sites as to how to reach the required level. It is designed for... Read More...

Outdoor Industry Association Fair Labor Code of Conduct

 In order to make an impact and promote socially acceptable production conditions, Outdoor IndustryAssociation (OIA) participants (“Participants”) have adopted this Fair... Read More...

ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY CITIZENSHIP COALITION® CODE OF CONDUCT

The Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition ® (EICC® ) Code of Conduct establishes standards to ensure that working conditions in the electronics industry supply chain... Read More...

Social Accountability 8000 International Standard

The intent of SA8000 is to provide an auditable, voluntary standard, based on the UN Declaration of Human Rights, ILO and other international human rights and labour norms... Read More...

Closed Loop, A Primer

Now let’s think about an assembly line. First of all, notice the shape: we’ve got a line, not a loop. Think about the first assembly line, invented for the model T Ford. It... Read More...

Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI)

The Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) is a business-driven initiative supporting retailers, importers and brands to improve environmental performance in... Read More...

Global Fashion Agenda

Global Fashion Agenda is a global leadership forum on fashion sustainability founded in 2016 and anchored around Copenhagen Fashion Summit, the world’s principal event on... Read More...

Mistra Future Fashion

Mistra future fashion is a research program on circular economy and serves for a future positive fashion industry it holds uniquely a system perspective and operates cross... Read More...

Cotton 2040: Proposals for cross-industry workstreams to mainstream sustainable cotton

The purpose of Cotton 2040 is to facilitate greater collective action within the cotton industry to enable sustainable cotton to shift from niche product to mainstream... Read More...

Responsible Wool Standard - Implementation Manual 1.0

The RWS Implementation Manual provides interpretations and clarifications for the  Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). All guidance given in the manual shall be considered ... Read More...

Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) Toolkit Supply Chain Certification

The Responsible Wool Standard requires that each stage of wool production is certified against the requirements of the Content Claim Standard (CCS), up to the seller in the... Read More...

bluesign certification

The bluesign® system is the solution for a sustainable textile production. It eliminates harmful substances right from the beginning of the manufacturing process and sets... Read More...

bluesign® bluetool

The special web-based software application easily guides you through the homologation procedure. bluesign® bluetool provides you all the necessary information on the... Read More...

bluesign® bluefinder

The advanced search engine for textile manufacturers contains data of bluesign® approved chemical products meeting the bluesign® criteria. Moreover, it contains all the... Read More...

bluesign® blueguide

The easily comprehensible database for brands and retailers contains data of bluesign® approved fabrics. Textiles manufactured from bluesign® approved fabrics meet highest... Read More...

MSI Package

Our MSI Data Submission Support Package includes: BWE Insider's Guide to the MSI: Cradle-to-Gate Guidance for Data Preparation and Submission 2 hours of BWE consulting... Read More...

Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme

The ZDHC Programme has identified four key areas and two cross-cutting areas which are critical towards eliminating hazardous chemicals from the global textile, leather and... Read More...

Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL)

The ZDHC MRSL V1.1 is a list of chemical substances banned from intentional use in facilities that process textile materials and trim parts in apparel and footwear. The... Read More...

Wastewater Quality

The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme is a collaboration of brands, value chain affiliates and associates committed to eliminating hazardous chemicals... Read More...

Solution paper: From cotton to counter

An overview of the cotton market and the solutions available to improve sustainability. A step-by-step approach to building a more sustainable textile supply chain. We will... Read More...

Canopy- CanopyStyle Audit

The first ever comprehensive, third party audits of a global viscose and rayon producer to assess their risk of sourcing from the world’s endangered forests. Conducted by... Read More...

Animal Derived Materials (ADM) Policy

We believe in treating animals with care and respect. In cases where we use animal derived materials in our products, we are committed to ensuring the animal’s ethical... Read More...

CHEM-IQ℠

CHEM-IQ℠ is VF's innovative chemical management program. It provides a simple, cost-effective and scalable method for identifying and eliminating unwanted chemistries... Read More...

Chemical Management Module

The LWG Chemical Management Module (CMM) will be a voluntary additional module when initially launched, but will ultimately be incorporated as a compulsory new section in... Read More...

Leather Trader Protocol

The LWG Assessment Protocol for Traders has been developed and refined over two years as the natural progression to allow Trader LWG members to fully engage in the LWG... Read More...

Manual for Implementation of Global Organic Textile Standard

The Manual for the Implementation of the Global Organic Textile Standard provides interpretations and clarifications for specific criteria of the Global Organic Textile... Read More...

Material Health Certificate

The Material Health Certificate uses the acclaimed material health assessment methodology of the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard to provide manufacturers with... Read More...

Material Health Certificate Standard

The official scope of the Material Health Certificate standard, as it relates to the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard.

EU Ecolabel Textiles and footwear / Textile products

EU Ecolabel Textiles products meet criteria that guarantee:       ✓ Limited use of substances harmful to health and environment       ✓ Reduction in water and air... Read More...

Naturtextil iVN certified Best

This quality standard, known primarily within Europe, currently defines the highest level of textile sustainability by applying the maximum currently achievable parameters... Read More...

Healthcare Delivery in RMG Factories in Bangladesh: What are the Missed Opportunities?

The purpose of this working paper is to present the current gaps identified in healthcare services and facilities inside of factories in the ready-made garment (RMG)... Read More...

NATURLEDER IVN certified - Leather Standard

iVN has been involved in developing a standard for sustainable leather since 2001. The quality seal NATURLEDER IVN ZERTIFIZIERT certifies a high level of ecology and... Read More...

iVN Certified Supplier Data Bank

Here are contacts to companies that have certified as IVN BEST or NATURLEDER. The individual quality seal logo displayed under each entry delineates which certification the... Read More...

WeAre SpinDye: new dyeing technology

SpinDye® is an ingredient brand that offers a technically innovative color system. We deliver a clean, traceable coloring method of textiles with an unparalleled... Read More...

Sustainability in the leather supply chain

In this research report Ernst & Young assesses the sustainability issues in the leather supply chain with a focus on the effects/risks and relevant trade flows from... Read More...

Material flows in the life cycle of leather

This paper presents a study on the resource and environmental profile of leather for communicating to the consumers about the environmental burdens of leather products. The... Read More...

Global resource extraction by material category

In the past 20 years, the concept of material flow accounting and analysis (MFA) has developed into one of the most successful and influential approaches within the area of... Read More...

The sustainability of cotton: Consequences for man and environment

This project aimed to summarise literature that compares conventional, IPM, and organic cotton production systems in terms of environmental impact; to select indicators... Read More...

Global Social Compliance Programme - Reference Environmental Audit Process & Methodology

The reference tools on Environmental Audit Process and Methodology are part of the GSCP set of reference tools designed to provide a common interpretation of environmental... Read More...

Global Social Compliance Programme - Reference tool on Social & Labour Management Systems for Suppliers

This Reference tool forms part of the GSCP set of Reference tools designed to provide a common interpretation of good social and labour requirements and their... Read More...

Towards Understanding Sustainable Textile Waste Management: Environmental impacts and social indicators

Global population growth and rising living standards have increased apparel consumption, and thegeneration of textile and clothing waste. This has raised concerns about... Read More...

Towards Sustainable Use of Chemicals in the Textile Industry: How life cycle assessment can contribute

The research presented in the thesis and the two papers intends to improve LCA methodology and practice so that use and emissions of textile chemicals can be included in... Read More...

Review of methods addressing freshwater use in life cycle inventory and impact assessment

In recent years, several methods have been developed which propose different freshwater use inventory schemes and impact assessment characterization models considering... Read More...

Properties, performance and associated hazards of state-of-the-art durable water repellent (DWR) chemistry for textile finishing.

Following the phase-out of long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), the textile industry had to find alternatives for side-chain fluorinated polymer based... Read More...

Social Responsibility Toolkit

The Social Responsibility Toolkit is a guidebook with tools and resources ranging from basic to advanced that can be adapted to suit any company or supplier to create and... Read More...

D6.2 FASHION FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR: Sustainability study of new handling system

Previous research in the P6 project (Deliverable D6.1) has shown that public procurement in Europe is becoming more regulated, although on a voluntary basis. Environmental... Read More...

State of the Art in research on 'Policy for Future Fashion'

The report considers and summarises policy suggestions and proposals that range from specific to broad brush proposals. The material assessed includes academic research,... Read More...

Base Code Guidance: Working Hours

The purpose of this document is to provide practical guidance on implementing the clause on working hours. It is primarily aimed at retailers and brands that want to ensure... Read More...

Base Code Guidance: Living Wages

Through this guide , we share what companies can do to create the enabling conditions for the payment of living wages, in line with their commitment to the ETI Base Code.... Read More...

Identifying, managing, mitigating, and preventing forced labor and modern slavery

The paper aims to clarify the concepts and issues, the actors and the options for addressing the challenges in preventing, managing and mitigating forced and slave labour... Read More...

Living Wages in Global Supply Chains

This report aims to reposition the debate on living wages for companies within global supply chains. Instead of asking ‘how can I calculate living wage levels in my supply... Read More...

Bangladesh Social Dialogue Programme Executive Summary

This summary sets out the impact the social dialogue programme has had to date, following a recent independent evaluation. In short, the programme has been shown to:Improve... Read More...

Integrating Ethical Trade Principles into Core Business Practices - An Introductory Toolkit

This introductory guide has been developed by the Ethical Trading Initiative to support internal teams to begin the process of integrating ethical trade principles into... Read More...

Building good labor relations through collective consultation - Guidance for Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) for Guangdong Province,China

This guidance takes buyers and suppliers through each of the steps involved in the procedure for collective consultation, from preparation through to implementation.1 It... Read More...

The SocioLog.dx Experience: A Global Expert Study on Sustainable Fashion

In May 2013, Copenhagen Business School (CBS), in collaboration with GfK (Growth from Knowledge), conducted a global expert study on sustainable fashion, which is... Read More...

Supporting your CEO and their Decision-Making around Sustainability

This report comprehensively covers research conducted by Dr. Stephanie Bertels, Jess Schulschenk,  Andrea Ferry, Vanessa Otto-Mentz, and Esther Speck. It enables the... Read More...

RILA’S 2017 Retail Sustainability Management Leadership Model

The Model is a tool for retail sustainability executives to identify the management practices that will drive improved corporate and environmental performance.The Model is... Read More...

Lessons from ETI programmes - Tamil Nadu multi-stakeholder programme, southern India

This is an ongoing series of briefing notes about the lessons we are learning from our supply chain programme work. It is aimed at practitioners who are doing or planning... Read More...

Towards Sustainability in the Oil and Gas Sector: Benchmarking of Environmental, Health, and Safety Efforts

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the maturity of environmental, health and safety (EHS) efforts and progress toward sustainability in the oil and gas sector. Ten... Read More...

UNGC Roadmap for Sustainability

The UNGC Roadmap provides guidance for companies on how to integrate sustainability-related goals and strategies across the organization. Best practices are illustrated and... Read More...

RILA’S 2017 Retail Sustainability Management Leadership Model (XLS) Worksheet - DOWNLOAD

The Model Worksheet allows you to document your existing practices, opportunities for growth, next steps, and owners of those next steps. You will designate the practices... Read More...

Green IT Maturity Model

This paper introduces a green IT maturity model for assessment of green IT services.

Maturity Model Concepts for Sustainable Manufacturing

The Sustainability Consortium Toolkits

The toolkits are designed to facilitate decision-making by retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers along the value chain, with an emphasis on impact and improving product... Read More...

Pulse of the Fashion Industry

This first edition of the Report on the Pulse of the Fashion Industry exposes the challenges in a number of sustainability impact areas and along the industry’s value... Read More...

Making Climate Change Fashionable – The Garment Industry Takes On Global Warming

This article presents some facts about environmental effects from the fashion industry, such as: "The apparel industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and... Read More...

Gender Equality in Codes of Conduct Guidance

This toolkit is designed to be used in the textile and garment sectors in India but might also be applicable in other export-oriented industries that employ large numbers... Read More...

Women’s Economic Empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Recommendations for the Apparel Sector

This brief provides recommendations for apparel companies to advance women’s economic empowerment in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This brief was developed alongside the BSR... Read More...

Ethiopia’s Emerging Apparel Industry: Options for Better Business and Women’s Empowerment in a Frontier Market

This paper is based on interviews that took place between September 2016 and March 2017 with a number of apparel industry stakeholders including buyers, suppliers, business... Read More...

The Paris Agreement: What it Means for Business

This report is the post-Paris counterpart to The Business Brief. After translating the We Mean Business coalition’s policy asks for government negotiators, we now translate... Read More...

Child Labor in Myanmar’s Garment Sector: Challenges and Recommendations

This report explains the context of child labor in Myanmar, both across sectors and specifically for garment manufacturing. Because there is no comprehensive data on the... Read More...

Financial Inclusion in the Supply Chain: An Evaluation of the HERfinance Pilot in India

This report details the results of BSR's HERfinance program pilot alongside qualitative case studies and a review of the challenges we faced and the lessons learned as we... Read More...

Climate Change: Implications and Strategies for the Luxury Fashion Sector

While the report outlines the climate risks facing global luxury fashion companies, it also focuses on the impact of climate change at the very base of the supply chain... Read More...

Ethical trade and the SDGs

The purpose of this report is:To explain how the SDGs (sustainable development goals) are relevant to ethical trade and workers’ rights, particularly SDG 8 and other key... Read More...

Base Code Guidance: Child Labor

This guidance is intended to help businesses understand child labour and the responsibilities of companies to embed the application of ETI’s Base Code Clause 4 in their... Read More...

Proposition 65 in Plain Language

In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and... Read More...

Restricted Substances List ("RSL")

LS&CO. is committed to conducting its business in an environmentally sustainable manner that protects consumers, workers, the environment, and the LS&CO. brands. We... Read More...

AccountAbility Standards

AccountAbility’s AA1000 Series of Standards are principles-based Standards and Frameworks used by a broad spectrum of organizations – global businesses, private... Read More...

Fashion x Soil

When was the last time you thought about the soil while shopping? We’ll assume it’s been a while. But lurking in our closets, hidden in our cotton t-shirts, wool sweaters,... Read More...

CEO Guide to the Sustainable Development Goals

Sets out clear actions that CEOs can take to begin to align their organizations with the SDGsThe World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has launched the... Read More...

Chemicals Management Module (2015)

Benchmark, establish, build, maintain and improve your chemicals management processes and thus reduce water pollutionThe Chemicals Management Module is a roadmap for... Read More...

The Water Network (2015)

Primary Functions:Connect and share knowledge with water professionals from 185 countriesThe Water Network is a neutral platform for multi-stakeholders to share content,... Read More...

Water Efficiency Toolkit (2014)

Primary Functions:Build your own program to reduce water and energy use in buildings—and save money in the processAssess your company’s water efficiency and create... Read More...

Water Footprint Assessment (2012)

Primary Functions:Inform “big picture” strategic planningIdentify at what stage within the value chain the water footprint is in a hotspotBuild awareness among public

Water Impact Index – WIIX (2012)

Primary Functions:Quantify the impact of companies’ water use and wastewater discharge on local water resources in terms of quality, quantity, and scarcity/stress.Given the... Read More...

Water Risk Monetizer (2014)

Primary Functions:Access actionable information to help businesses understand and quantify water-related risks in financial termsThe Water Risk Monetizer estimates the... Read More...

Water Scarcity Solutions (2015)

Primary Functions:Learn about existing water risk solutions to inform your own approachesIn collaboration with Arup, WRG has developed a new web tool that compiles and... Read More...

Water Stewardship Framework (2014)

Primary Functions:Develop and implement a robust water stewardship approach specific to the mining & metals industryICMM’s Water stewardship framework outlines a common... Read More...

Water Stewardship in the Beverage Industry (2016)

Primary Functions:Guide and inspire companies to continually improve on matters related to water stewardshipOutline water stewardship essentials for the beverage... Read More...

Water Sustainability Tool

Making the business case for pursuing a water strategy often involves comparing the benefits and costs of taking action. The lists below summarizes several major areas of... Read More...

Performance in Watershed Context for the Beverage Industry (2015)

Primary Functions:Measure beverage facility water performance in the context of local watershed conditionsWith this release, BIER is building momentum towards creating a... Read More...

Towards Understanding Sustainable Textile Waste Management: Environmental impacts and social indicators

Global population growth and rising living standards have increased apparel consumption, and the generation of textile and clothing waste. This has raised concerns about... Read More...

Future-Fit Business Benchmark, Part 2: Indicators Release 1

This is an in-depth, technical guide, presenting a set of Key Fitness Indicators that aim to help companies assess their progress toward each Future-Fit Goal.

2017 Retail Energy Management Leadership Model

RILA’s Retail Energy Management Leadership Model is a roadmap to help retail energy managers optimize their energy programs. It is intended to identify possible pathways to... Read More...

Essensus Tool

We support companies to mature sustainability integration into their core business, product development and related processes. By understanding their current maturity,... Read More...

Smart Cities Maturity Model and Self-Assessment Tool

The Scottish Government, working in conjunction with the Scottish Cities Alliance and on behalf of Scotland’s Cities, has commissioned consultants to jointly develop a... Read More...

WBCSD Vision 2050 Roadmap - PDF DOWNLOAD

Vision 2050 outlines a pathway to reach a sustainable global society by 2050, in which the earth’s 9 billion people live well and within the limits of the planet. The... Read More...