Project update

The Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB) has appointed a multi-stakeholder Working Group to develop the Standard for the Textile and Apparel sector. The 21-member Working Group covers business enterprises, civil society, investment institutions, labor organizations, and mediating institutions – representing Asia, Africa, North and South America, Europe, and Oceania.  

The Working Group will provide technical advisory for the development of the content of the Standard, which is expected to take place between 2024 and 2026.

For more information about the responsibilities of the Working Group, see the Terms of Reference.

The importance of this Standard

The textiles and apparel sector provides essential products and is a key contributor to the global economy. The sector’s complex and fragmented supply chain, however, is characterized by a range of negative impacts. Most widely documented are those related to labor and human rights in producing countries. The sector is also a key contributor to the increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions and waste.

The purpose of the Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard is to enhance the quality and comparability of sustainability information, by setting the global best practice for organizations operating in textile production, apparel and footwear manufacturing as well as retail.

Read the Project Proposal for more information.

About this project

The Sector Standards are designed to help identify a sector's most significant impacts and reflect stakeholder expectations for sustainability reporting. 

The textiles and apparel sector has previously been approved by the GSSB as one of the next sectors for which a standard will be developed. 

Sectors are prioritized based on the seriousness and the likelihood of their impacts – considering the overall size of the sector, distribution around the world, and the number of organizations that are in a position to use the GRI Standards. 

If you have questions or would like more information about this project please contact [email protected].