Cascale, Worldly Host Climate Event, Mark Decarbonization Steps
The organizations co-hosted a New York Climate Week Event with many fantastic speakers and insights. Read more here!
Brand & Retail Forum: Brussels
Join us on December 4 & 5 in Brussels, Belgium for the unique opportunity to connect with EU policymakers and industry leaders, and explore the future of sustainability in the consumer goods industry.
Date & Time
December 04 2024 | 09:00 - 17:30 (CEST)
Location
Brussels, Belgium
- About
- Program
- Practical Information
- Sponsorship
- Registration
Brand & Retail Forum: Brussels 2024
December 4, 2024 | Sofitel Brussels Europe Hotel
As the EU embarks on a new five-year electoral mandate, this forum is your opportunity to connect with policymakers and industry leaders, and explore concrete actions for a sustainable transition in the consumer goods industry.
Immersive EU Experience | December 5, 2024
Registration for this side event will open shortly.
Join fellow peers and policymakers in the heart of European decision-making, exploring the intersection of policy and practice.
Key Details:
- Available exclusively for registered attendees of the December 4 event, at no additional fee, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Separate registration is required once open—spaces are limited.
This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in EU policy discussions, so stay tuned for more details!
Policy Dialogue in Action: Finding Common Ground for a Sustainable Consumer Goods Industry
This theme emphasizes the importance of connecting diverse viewpoints – whether from policymakers, industry leaders, or stakeholders – to create a unified approach to tackling the challenges and opportunities in the consumer goods industry. It highlights the role of the forum in fostering collaboration and driving forward-thinking solutions.
What to Expect
The event offers a dynamic mix of policy-focused discussions and broader industry insights, all designed to empower Cascale’s members and stakeholders in the consumer goods sector. Some of the sessions will be led, moderated, or co-organized by the Policy Hub or other key partners of Cascale. The event will explore the importance of the Higg Index tools in connecting with new legislation, further introduce Cascale to key EU stakeholders, and foster collaboration across product categories.
Key Topics
- Legislation in the Textiles Sector: Understand the impact of upcoming legislation on the sector and its influence on Higg Index tools development.
- Green Claims & ESPR: Unpack what they mean for your business.
- CSRD Reporting: Explore the implementation of EU reporting standards, and learn the essentials of compliance and effective reporting strategies.
- Global Policy Developments: Gain insights into key policy shifts worldwide and their relevance to your operations.
- …and much more!
Prepare to engage in discussions that will shape the future of sustainability and ensure your business is at the forefront of industry developments.
Who Should Attend?
- Brands and retailers in the apparel, footwear, textiles, and broader consumer goods sectors
- EU policymakers willing to join industry leaders in a collaborative dialogue, understand concerns within the sector, and explore solutions to drive a sustainable transition
- Public affairs professionals navigating legislative changes in the consumer goods industry
- Compliance and sustainability experts focused on advancing industry standards
- Higg Index users looking to stay ahead of tool developments
- Representatives from NGOs, MSIs, and Academia contributing to the conversation on sustainability and policy
- Manufacturers and suppliers looking to understand how legislation impacts their business and those of their brand clients
If you’re committed to shaping the future of sustainability and staying informed on key legislative developments, this forum is for you.
Why Attend?
- December 4, 2024
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Coffee & Registration
9:00 am - 9:05 am
Welcome to the Brand & Retail Forum: Brussels
9:10 am - 9:25 am
Opening Remarks
Join us for the opening address by Cascale’s Executive Vice President, Andrew Martin, as he highlights the critical role of regulation in shaping the future of sustainability tools like the Higg Index. Andrew will discuss how evolving policies in the EU and across the globe are driving the need for robust, data-driven solutions to measure and manage environmental and social impacts in the consumer goods sector. His remarks will underscore the importance of aligning Cascale’s tools with regulatory requirements, ensuring that businesses are equipped to navigate these changes and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.
9:25 am - 9:35 am
Keynote Speech
In this keynote, Dr. Amaryllis Verhoeven, Acting Director and Head of Unit for Digital Transformation of Industry – Ecosystems II: Tourism & Proximity – in the Directorate General (DG) for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) at the European Commission will share her perspective on the future of sustainability in the textiles and apparel industry. Drawing from her experience at the heart of EU policymaking, Dr. Verhoeven will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the apparel and textile sector and the importance of collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and consumer organizations to shape a future-proof regulatory framework. Attendees will gain insights into how businesses can adapt to an evolving regulatory landscape while contributing to the EU’s broader goals of environmental and social responsibility.
9:35 am - 10:15 am
EU Policy State-of-Play for the Textiles and Apparel Sector
This vibrant session will provide an in-depth look at the current state of play of EU legislation impacting the textiles and apparel sector. We will discuss how policies such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Green Claims Directive will transform the way products are conceived and produced, to the benefit of consumers and the environment. As we embark on a new political mandate, we will highlight the need for a shared vision and collaborative action between policymakers, industry leaders, and consumer organizations to drive positive change in the sector. Attendees will gain insights into how these evolving dynamics could impact their business strategies and preparations in the coming years.
10:15 am - 11:05 am
Advancing Sustainable and Fair Supply Chains: The Role of CS3D and the Higg Index
This session will bring together key decision-makers and stakeholders to explore the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), the challenges faced by the textile and consumer goods sectors, and how they can be addressed. Join us to discover how the Higg Index can support navigating these challenges by using data-driven insights to map supply chain impacts, address key requirements, and develop strategies for advancing sustainable and fair practices.
11:05 am - 11:35 am
Coffee & Networking
11:35 am - 12:25 pm
Navigating the Future of Sustainable Products: ESPR & the Green Claims Directive
In this panel, we will explore how policies such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Green Claims Directive will transform the way products are conceived and produced, to the benefit of consumers and the environment. Join us to gain insights on the state of play these key policies and understand their role in promoting more sustainable value chains in the textile and apparel sector. Hear directly from key policymakers and industry experts and learn how data-driven methodologies for measuring the impact of a product can support more transparency by ensuring sustainability claims are both reliable and verifiable.
12:25 pm - 1:15 pm
Navigating the CSRD: Best Practices for Effective Sustainability Reporting
Join us for an in-depth discussion on the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to discover best practices for effective sustainability. Hear directly from key policymakers and stakeholders how to best navigate the new CSRD requirements and align your reporting with evolving EU regulations. This session will also explore how the Higg Brand & Retail Module (Higg BRM) offers tailored guidance for apparel, textile, and footwear companies to meet CSRD requirements.
1:15 pm - 1:20 pm
Morning Wrap Up
1:20 pm - 2:50 pm
Lunch & Networking
2:50 pm - 2:55 pm
Welcome Back
2:55 pm - 3:55 pm
Waste and EPR: What’s on the Horizon?
This session will explore the evolving landscape of waste management and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, focusing on the upcoming amendments to the EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD). We’ll discuss how these changes will impact retailers and manufacturers, particularly through the introduction of EPR schemes that hold companies accountable for the costs of textile waste collection, sorting, and recycling. Cascale members and partners will share their experience and initiatives in this space, offering practical insights into how businesses can prepare for these regulatory shifts and contribute to a more circular economy.
3:05 pm - 3:55 pm
Workshop
Details coming soon.
3:55 pm - 4:25 pm
Coffee & Networking
4:25 pm - 5:15 pm
Global Perspective: Examining Key Policy Developments Worldwide
This session will provide a perspective key global policy developments and their far-reaching impacts on the textile and apparel supply chain, from ambitious sustainability legislation in the EU to evolving policies in North America and Asia. We will examine the role of legislation in reshaping business practices across the world, affecting brands, manufacturers, and suppliers alike. We will also explore how EU policies such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CS3D) and Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD) Directives can effectively drive positive change in our sector while supporting development in partner countries.
5:15 pm - 6:30 pm
Closing Sessions
Details coming soon.
Practical Information
Located on the vibrant Jourdan Square, in the heart of the European district, Sofitel Brussels Europe is easily accessible with public transports, by car or by taxi. The hotel has a private and secured parking, and also offers taxi service.
Sofitel Brussels Europe ☆☆☆☆☆
1 Place Jourdan
1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: 0032 (0)2 235 5100
Hotel Rooms
We have reserved a block of rooms for our guests at a preferred rate starting from 210 euros per night. Please note that the room rates do not include breakfast. We will be offering breakfast as part of the event. The deadline to reserve your room is October 22.
Please fill in this form and send it to: H5282-RE@sofitel.com
How to Get There
Sponsors and Exhibitors
We believe in true collaboration. Our sponsorship packages are designed to maximize your impact, connecting you with industry leaders and highlighting your commitment to sustainability. The Brands and Retail event offers a unique platform to drive change in the consumer goods industry. By sponsoring, you’ll gain valuable exposure, align your brand with our mission, and leave a lasting impression.
Please note, sponsorship opportunities are limited for this event.
Explore our sponsorship opportunities.
Why Sponsor?
Our Network
Who Are Our Members?
Cascale (formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition, or SAC) is a global, non-profit alliance of 300 leading consumer goods brands, retailers, manufacturers, sourcing agents, service providers, trade associations, NGOs, and academic institutions. Our members represent every link of the global value chain for apparel, footwear, and textiles; home furnishings; sporting and outdoor goods; bags and luggage.
Register Now
Click below to register for the Brand & Retail Forum on December 4!
Registration for the Immersive EU Experience on December 5 will open shortly.
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