Progress on textiles and apparel sustainability standard
Published date: 21 February 2024
Multi-stakeholder group appointed to develop new GRI Sector Standard
Plans for a new standard to address the impacts of the textiles and apparel sector are moving forward, as the members of the multi-stakeholder Working Group that will lead the development process have been confirmed.
As announced last year, textiles and apparel is the next sector for which GRI is developing a reporting standard. This sector has been prioritized based on its wide-ranging impacts – including on working conditions, health and safety, water consumption and pollution, waste, greenhouse gas emissions and the use of hazardous materials. The Textiles and Apparel Standard will seek to raise the bar for accountability by clothing, footwear and other textile manufacturers and retailers.
The 21-member Textiles and Apparel Working Group includes representatives from business, labor, mediating and investment institutions as well as civil society.
The sustainability impacts of the textiles and apparel sector occur in sourcing, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail stages, often affecting the most vulnerable in our society. I am pleased to announce the appointment of a distinguished global multi-stakeholder Working Group, which will oversee the development of our new Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard. I am confident they will bring the valuable insights and expertise needed to deliver a standard that sets the global best practice for reporting on impacts by both manufacturing and retail organizations in the respective sectors.
Bastian Buck, GRI Chief of StandardsThe GRI Textiles and Apparel Working Group members are:
- Anita Nagarajan: Associate Director, Sustainalytics (UK)
- Arindam Saha: Director, Management Consulting, PwC Ltd (India)
- Brooke Beshai: Vice President, Sustainability and Compliance, Deckers Brands (USA)
- Charith Jayasundera: Co-founding Partner, InterBalance (Sri Lanka) and Associate Director, KPMG (Australia)
- Christina Hajagos-Clausen: Textile and Garment Industry Director, IndustriALL Global Union (Switzerland)
- Gabriela Lozano-Corona: Head of Sustainability and Social Businesses, EssilorLuxottica (Mexico)
- Isabella Luglio: Fashion Transparency Index Coordinator, Fashion Revolution Brazil (Brazil)
- Julianne Thomas-Drolet: Senior Advisor, Environmental and Social Risk Management, Export Development Canada (Canada)
- Karen Diaz: Lead Advocacy Officer for Responsible Purchasing, Fair Wear (Netherlands)
- Kristine Kim: Director of Impact, DÔEN (USA)
- Michela Angiolillo: Sustainability and Social Compliance Manager, Zimmermann (Australia)
- Pami Kular: Independent business Transformation and Advisory (Mauritius)
- Pınar Özcan: Head of International Relations and Sustainability, Öz İplik İş Textile Trade Union (Turkey)
- Rishali Chaplot: Director, CSR, Komar Brands (USA)
- Simge Aydin: Analyst, Corporate Sustainability, Puma SE (Germany)
- Simone Cipriani: Head and Founder, Ethical Fashion Initiative - International Trade Center (Switzerland)
- Tamar Hoek: Senior Policy Director, Sustainable Fashion, Solidaridad (Netherlands)
- Tara Luckman: Consultant, Cotton Council International (UK)
- Vidya Mani: Associate Professor, University of Virginia, Darden School of Business (USA)
- Walter Franklin Peter: Fabric Manager, Kmart Australia Ltd. (Australia)
- William Hughes: Director of Sustainability, Mazars (UK)
The group was appointed by the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), following a call for applications. The Sector Standard for Textiles and Apparel will be developed during 2024-2026, including a global public comment period.
GRI Sector Standards are planned to initially cover 40 sectors, starting with those with the highest sustainability impact. Sector Standards for oil and gas, coal, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing as well as mining are already available.