Environmental protection & use of resources

Partnership goal

Further environmental damage in the value chain is avoided; resource consumption in the value chain is optimized.

2021 Review Process

The companies have set themselves a total of 106 goals for the sector risk of environmental protection, use of resources and fibres. The goals and measures with a focus on one’s own company dominate, but there are also some for the deeper supply chain.

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Adjustment of purchasing, including by increasing the proportion of sustainable fibres and the use of certificates
• Adaptation of product development with a focus on circular economy, recycling and certificates
• Awareness raising and training
• Analyses

For Tier II (material production) and Tier III (raw material processing):

• Sensitisation, for example through marketing and communication to promote sustainable products as well as to raise awareness of product use and recycling, for example through care instructions and recycling offers
• Product development with regard to closing the loop, degradable products, recycling and residual use in production

For Tier IV (extraction of raw materials):

• Certificates and standards
• Cooperation and capacity development, for example through pilot projects, for example on water management

Exemplary goals

“By 2025, the principles of the circular economy should be anchored in the relevant core processes.” – Otto Group

“By 2025 40% reduction in water consumption at Tier 2 supplier facilities (against 2017 baseline).” – adidas

“Zero Waste bis 2025.” – Lodenfrey

Further information on sector risk environmental protection & use of resources.

Wages and Social Security

Partnership goal

In all companies/business partnerships in the value chain, living wages are paid.

2021 Review Process

Companies have set themselves a total of 92 goals for the sector risk of wages and social benefits. The majority of the goals and measures focus on the own company and the supply chain stage of the final product production and packaging (Tier 1).

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Developing a strategy
• Analysis and adaptation of purchasing practices
• Raising awareness in purchasing
• Anchoring in the company

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging):

• Cooperation with producers, for example in the analysis of wage gaps and the definition of target wages
• Training and awareness raising

Exemplary goal

“Establishment of a Group-wide working group (‘expert circle’) on the topic of Living Wages in 2021 with the aim of developing a long-term strategy on the subject of living wages in 2022 and implementing the contents of the Living Wage Lab in the Group.” – Otto Group

Further information on sector risk wages and social security.

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

Partnership goal

Freedom of association and collective bargaining are possible in all companies/business partnerships in the value chain.

2021 Review Process

Companies have set themselves a total of 77 goals for the sector risk of freedom of association and collective bargaining. The majority of the goals and measures focus on the supply chain stage of the final product production and packaging (Tier 1). Thematically, they comparatively often include complaint mechanisms.

Contents of the measures

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging):

• Analyses of the status quo at supplier level with the aim of deriving measures from this
• Collaboration and capacity development, for example through committees / employee meetings
• Awareness raising and training

For Tier II (material production):

• Analyses, including country-based risk analyses and supplier-specific analyses of the status quo
• Extension of complaint mechanisms
• Definition of measures

For the member companies:

• Awareness-raising and training as well as knowledge building
• Inclusion of the topic in policy statement / policy
• Embedding policies in your own company
• Cross-functional reconciliation and setting up workgroups

Exemplary goals

“Thus, possible wage gaps, such as in the sewing shop in Romania, can be identified and settled more quickly. In order to view and monitor these wage structures, we are also planning internal audits in the deeper supply chain, e.g. in Turkey (wet processes).” – erlich textil

“As part of the Parntership Initiative “Living Wages”, we plan to seek dialogue with national and international trade unions and/or civil society organisations as well as other initiatives in the “Living Wage Lab” by the end of April 2023 in order to understand the systemic prerequisites for the negotiation and payment of living wages and to identify starting points, the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining in the used main production facilities (Tier 1).” – ALDI Süd

Further information on sector risk freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Child and Forced Labour

Partnership goal

There is zero tolerance for all kinds of child and forced labour in all companies/business partnerships in the value chain.

2021 Review Process

The companies have set themselves 84 goals for the sector risk of child and forced labour. The topic of child labour tends to dominate. The focus of the goals and measures is strongly on the level of the member companies and their direct suppliers (final product production and packaging). Compared to other sector risks, the Partnership companies also set themselves more goals and measures at Tier II (material production) and Tier III (raw material processing). 

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Development of a strategy
• Formulation of clear supplier requirements (zero tolerance for child labour)
• Adaptation of purchasing guidelines with a strong focus on certifications and the monitoring of unauthorized procurement

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging):

• Supplier requirements, such as contractual assurances and zero tolerance policies regarding child labour

For Tier IV (extraction of raw materials):

• Pilot projects with certification bodies to reduce the risk of child labour. This is especially true for cotton

Exemplary goal

“Reducing the risk of child and forced labour in cotton production by systematically increasing transparency on cotton origin. The origin of cotton (at country level) should be known at 40% of the volume by 2023.” – Hch. Kettelhack GmbH & Co. KG

Further information on sector risk child and forced labour.

Discrimination, Sexual Harassment & Gender-Based Violence

Partnership goal

There is zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, in particular sexual harassment and gender-based violence, in all companies/business partnerships in the value chain.

2021 Review Process

Companies have set themselves a total of 78 goals for the sector risk of discrimination, sexual harassment and gender-based violence. The majority of the goals and measures focus on Tier I (final product production and packaging) as well as on the companies themselves.

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Developing a strategy
• Create supplier requirements as well as policies and guidelines
• Adaptation of and training on audits
• Anchoring in the company

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging):

• Improvement of complaint mechanisms and complaint management
• Training and awareness raising
• Audits
• Exchange with workers and the establishment of “anti-harassment committees”
• Disclosure of supplier requirements

Exemplary goals

“Establish an anonymous and reliable complaints system for employees of all production partners on Tier 1 by the end of 2022.” – Hakro

“In 2023, all workers at our Tier 1 producer, if the Corona pandemic allows, will be trained on equal opportunities and oppression of minorities. We will also sensitize the local communities to the topics of proper treatment of oppressed minorities and avoidance of discrimination.” – 3 Freunde

“By 2023, we will make audits more gender-sensitive in cooperation with GOTS. To this end, we remain in close contact with gotS, which is currently included in putting explicitly gender-sensitive social audits into practice for the first time. The basis is the guideline “Due Diligence, Social Audits and Gender-Based Violence and Harassment”, which members of the Textiles Partnership, the International Association of the Natural Textile Industry (IVN) and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) have developed in 2020 in a joint project on the subject of gender-based violence. We hope that this will not only expand the independent audits, but also make them more gender-sensitive.” – Lanius

Further information on sector risk discrimination, sexual harassment & gender-based violence.

Working Hours

Partnership goal

In all companies/business partnerships in the value chain, compliance with working time requirements and the avoidance of excessive overtime is ensured.

2021 Review Process

Companies have set themselves a total of 65 goals for the sector risk of working hours. The majority of the goals and measures focus on Tier I (final product production and packaging) and the companies themselves. Some objectives have also been defined for Tier II (material production).

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Analysis and adaptation of purchasing practices
• Training and sensitization in purchasing
• Monitoring of actual overtime worked
• Formulation of supplier requirements
• In-depth analyses with the aim of deriving measures from them

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging):

• Cooperation with producers, for example in exchange on capacity planning, in awareness raising and in capacity development
• Monitoring, i.e. data retrieval and systems for recording working hours
• Analyses
• Data collection
• Adaptation of own purchasing practices

For Tier II (material production):

• In-depth analyses and data retrieval
• Expansion of complaint mechanisms and complaint management

Exemplary goal

„The workers at 20 of our tier 1 factories in China are represented by Health & Safety Committees as a means to voice excessive working hours to their management and our auditors by 2023.“ – KiK

Further information on sector risk working hours.

Health and Safety

Partnership goal

Fire protection and building safety as well as the avoidance of occupational accidents are ensured in all companies/all business partnerships in the value chain.

2021 Review Process

The companies have set themselves a total of 79 goals for the health and safety sector risk. The majority of the goals and measures focus on Tier I (final product production and packaging). Less frequently, but equally represented, are measures with a focus on one’s own company or with a focus on Tier II (material production).

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Joining or exchanging ideas with initiatives, for example a focus on the continuation of the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC, formerly “Bangladesh Accord”)
• Analysis and adaptation of purchasing practices
• Regulation of purchasing by means of certificates
• Inclusion of the topic in policy statement / policy
• Embedding in your own company

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging):

Often existing measures are built upon by: 

• Monitoring through data retrieval and audits
• Collaboration and Capacity Development
• Awareness raising and training
• Certificates

For Tier II (material production):

• Measures to improve complaint mechanisms
• Collaboration and Capacity Development
• Training and awareness raising
• Measures for more supply chain transparency

Tier III (raw material processing) and Tier IV (Rohstoffgewinnung):

• Certificates
• Awareness raising and training
• Disclosure of supplier requirements

Exemplary goal

“ALDI remains committed to fire protection and building safety in Bangladesh. As a member of the Brands Association, we will implement this through the Ready Made Garment Sustainability Council (RSC), successor organisation to the Accord. In 2021, we will become a member of the Brand Association. Membership allows us to continue working with other companies, unions and local stakeholders to create a safe working environment for all bangladeshi manufacturing facilities workers.” – Aldi Nord

Further information on sector risk health and safety.

Corruption

Partnership goal

There is zero tolerance for all forms of corruption, extortion and bribery.

2021 Review Process

Companies have set themselves a total of 65 goals for the sector risk of corruption. The majority of the goals and measures focus on Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging), followed by measures with a focus on the companies themselves.

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Awareness raising and training, especially in purchasing
• Formulation of supplier requirements
• Embedding the topic of corruption in policy statements and processes

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging):

• Disclosure of supplier requirements, for example by signing the Code of Conduct
• Awareness raising and training
• Collaboration and capacity development through joint actions
• Specific analyses

For Tier II (material production):

• Disclosure of supplier requirements
• Cooperation and capacity development in direct supplier relationships (joint measures)

Exemplary goal

„Until 2023 we will provide trainings on anti-corruption for at least 80% of the employees in the entire supply chain.“ – Ceres Clothing

Further information on sector risk corruption.

Climate and GHG Emissions

Partnership goal

Greenhouse gas emissions are minimized throughout the entire value chain.

2021 Review Process

The companies have set themselves a total of 89 goals for the sector risk of climate protection and greenhouse gas emissions. The companies have set themselves goals and measures for all stages of the value chain. A special focus is on the own company and Tier I (final product production and packaging).

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Analyses with a focus on the calculation of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions
• Definition of measure

For importers and agents:

• Analyses, such as the calculation of Scope 3 emissions
• Topics such as sustainable transport

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging):

• Analyses Calculation of Scope 3 emissions
• Supplier-level status quo analysis
• Definition of measures
• Collaboration and capacity development, for example for the analysis and definition of measures
• Awareness raising and training

For Tier II (material production), Tier III (raw material processing) and Tier IV (extraction of raw materials):

• Analyses for the calculation of Scope 3 emissions
• Supplier-level status quo analysis
• Measures to adapt the product range through recycled raw materials or certificates

Exemplary goals

“100% sustainable textile fibres will be implemented by 2025. These more sustainable fibers have a lower CO2 footprint than conventional ones. For example, by reducing the use of artificial fertilizers or by conserving resources through the use of recycled materials.” – Tchibo

“Calculation of the complete Company Carbon Footprint (baseline) incl. Scope 3 taking into account primary data from Tier 4 and Tier 2 by the end of the reporting period.” – Ortovox

Further information on sector risk climate and GHG emissions.

Chemical Use and Wastewater

Partnership goal

There are no negative effects on people and the environment through the use of chemicals in the value chain.

2021 Review Process

The companies have set themselves a total of 95 goals for the sector risk of chemical use and wastewater. The goals and measures focus strongly on Tier II (material production), followed by Tier I (final product production and packaging) and the companies themselves.

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Adaptation of purchasing by using certificates
• Create supplier requirements
• Development or adaptation of monitoring systems
• Knowledge building

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging) and Tier II (material production):

• Certificates and Standards (ZDHC-MRSL, Chemical Management 4sustainability)
• Cooperation and capacity development, in particular on chemical management, implementation of certification, pilot projects
• Awareness raising and training
• Disclosure of supplier requirements
• Analyses of the status quo at supplier level (incl. data retrieval)

Exemplary goals

“We will communicate the ZDHC-MRSL to all suppliers at Tier 2 and Tier 3 level by the end of 2023 and then analyse who is compliant. In the event of non-compliance, we will provide you with the support services.” – Karl Dieckhoff

“80% of wet process factories have a wastewater test or ZDHC InCheck Report by 2023.” – Tchibo

“Our goal is to establish a chemical and wastewater management system within the next 2 years. In addition, we would like to communicate the Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (ZDHC MRSL) developed within the framework of Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) to suppliers and producers and establish them within the next 2 years.” – erlich textil

Further information on sector risk chemical use and wastewater.

Animal Welfare

Partnership goal

Any practices that endanger the welfare of animals in the value chain are eliminated.

2021 Review Process

The companies have set themselves a total of 41 goals for the sector risk of animal welfare. Most of the goals and measures focus on Tier IV (raw material extraction), others on the company’s own company and Tier I (final product production and packaging).

Contents of the measures

For the member companies:

• Formulation and communication of policies and guidelines, usually on supplier requirements
• Assortment and purchasing adjustments with regard to the use of certificates or the search for alternative raw materials

For Tier I (final product manufacturing and packaging):

• Disclosure of supplier requirements, such as guarantees to exclude mulesing

For Tier IV (extraction of raw materials):

• Cooperation with certification schemes, especially for wool

Exemplary goals

“In order to bring the virgin wool collection back into production, our goal is to find a supplier who offers wool from certified organic animal husbandry, virgin wool with the “Responsible Wool Standard” or wool as a waste product. As long as the collection is not reproduced.” – erlich textil

“Increase the proportion of organic or RWS certified wool to 15% by 2023. Introduction of a new ERP [Enterprise Resource Planning] system, which enables the systematic recording of certificates and information on the origin of the wool and thus creates more transparency.” – Lodenfrey

Further information on sector risk animal welfare.