From Isolated Action to Scaled Solutions
The ESRAP Educates session connected students and faculty with Cascale, the Higg Index, and Worldly to build career-ready sustainability skills.
Cascale recently joined a new educational workshop series led by Educators for Socially-Responsible Apparel Practices (ESRAP), creating a direct connection between industry tools and the next generation of fashion and sustainability professionals.
Facilitated by Andrea Kennedy, fashion department lead at Berkeley College, a Cascale member, and Tasha Lewis, a fashion and retail studies professor at The Ohio State University, the session marked an early installment of ESRAP Educates. The speaker-panel series is designed to equip fashion faculty with practical insights and resources they can bring back to their classrooms. More than 45 students and educators participated, representing programs in sustainable fashion, apparel, and footwear.
Speakers from Cascale and Worldly explained how the two organizations work together to support credible sustainability education and real-world application. Cascale’s communications director Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff shared an overview of Cascale’s mission as a global nonprofit alliance and steward of the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly. Then, Charlie Gustafson, product marketing manager at Worldly, shared the organization’s role as the comprehensive data and analytics platform that helps scale the Higg Index tools.
Together, the directors illustrated how industry-aligned standards, trusted data, and scalable platforms work in tandem to turn sustainability goals into measurable action. The discussion focused on how educators and students can use these tools to develop practical, career-ready skills aligned with current industry expectations.
The workshop also explored opportunities for students and academic institutions to engage with Cascale and Worldly, including access to resources, learning pathways, and membership benefits that support teaching, research, and workforce development.
By participating in ESRAP Educates, Cascale continues to expand its engagement with the academic community, supporting educators as they prepare students to navigate sustainability challenges with clarity, consistency, and credible data.
Cascale attended the joint International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and International Apparel Federation (IAF) Conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The event offered a comprehensive look into the future of the textile, footwear, and apparel industries.
Last week, Cascale’s Katie Hess, head of product, Better Buying, attended the joint International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and International Apparel Federation (IAF) Conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The event offered a comprehensive look into the future of the textile, footwear, and apparel industries.
As a critical networking and convening opportunity for suppliers, sourcing experts, and textile stakeholders, the event offered insights into emerging technologies and sustainable practices, as well as highlighting Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing textile market.
Among the attendance were Cascale members and affiliates such as the Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative (ATTI), and speakers such as independent consultant Olivia Windham-Stewart, Mehmet Kaya (IHKIB – Istanbul Apparel Exporters Association ), and Vidiya Amrit Khan (Brand BGMEA), who are leading their associations’ pioneering roles in the initiative.
Scenes from the IAF ITMF joint conference in October 2025 in Indonesia.
Chief above all, the conference reinforced the important role manufacturers play in shaping industry transformation. IAF’s president Cem Altan opened the event with a call for stronger collaboration and equal partnership between manufacturers and brands, noting that suppliers are “very often the starting point for the industry transformation that we need.”
Speakers also unpacked how reducing duplicative audits remains a top priority for suppliers – with progress visible through initiatives such as the Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) and Cascale’s Better Buying. Data from the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) 2025 revealed buyer acceptance of SLCP assessments has doubled since 2021, signaling a shift toward more coordinated approaches. Attendees agreed that convergence should serve as a foundation for shared accountability and continuous improvement – not just operational efficiency.
Taking an active role, Cascale also participated in the IAF Committee Meeting on Purchasing Practices and took an all-encompassing factory tour at Indonesian firm Danliris. Established in 1974, the fully-integrated factory serves a growing portfolio of multinational textile and apparel clients.
Inside the Danliris factory, part of the IAF ITMF joint conference in October 2025 in Indonesia.
Decarbonization emerged as another unifying theme throughout the conference, with panelists from IKEA and Cascale members TAL Apparel and PUMA emphasizing that climate goals are realized through purchasing decisions as much as through technical solutions. Suppliers are already investing in renewable energy and cleaner production, but continued progress depends on commercial models that support and reward those efforts.
This decarbonization panel showcased a range of global initiatives advancing climate action in the apparel and textile sector. Among the mentions was the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, represented by Cascale members Matthew Guenther (TAL Apparel) and Stefan Seidel (PUMA).
Be it decarbonization or responsible purchasing practices, participants emphasized the importance of recognizing manufacturers’ leadership on every touchpoint.
Leading cotton programs have released a joint LCA position paper raising awareness on data use and misconceptions, with Cascale contributing additional expertise.
In the latest effort to make cotton data more accessible and available, cotton programs have released an LCA position paper, with Cascale contributing additional expertise.
Together, Better Cotton, Cotton Australia, Cotton Incorporated, and U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol commissioned the report, with Cascale, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, and Textile Exchange as contributors. EarthShift Global, LLC prepared the report, “From Data to Impact: How to Get Cotton LCAs Right” which zeroes in on the importance of proper use and interpretation of cotton LCA data, especially in the context of differing growing regions and methodological parameters.
Cascale’s Joël Mertens, head of Higg Product Tools at Cascale, outlined the problem. “What can I really claim in terms of making change happen?” It is one thing to say, “This is my footprint,” and another to claim that switching from cotton to another fiber or blend has helped improve climate change or water scarcity. This last piece in particular is the one that is misleading. The approach that moves the sector forward is fixing the supply change instead of ignoring the problem by going somewhere else without moving the state of play.”
The work followed a joint workstream within Cascale: the Higg MSI Methodology Cotton Expert Team, to help collaboratively address cotton data gaps. The 40-page report captures a number of nuances, challenges, and positive indicators for change, hoping to help guide sustainability managers, policymakers, cotton programs, and growers.
”Real progress will come from investment in farmer-centered improvements backed by science and transparency, aligning around responsible use of LCAs,” read a line from the report’s summary.
Readers can find the report and press release on Better Cotton’s website.
Joleen Ong is senior director, brand and retailer membership at Cascale. She has spent over 15 years working on supply chain sustainability, human rights and responsible purchasing practices at Cascale Member Brands, Columbia Sportswear Company and Fanatics, and Social Accountability International. In this blog, she shares her observations and predictions on what’s at stake for decent work and climate action amid the latest wave of tariffs.
If global trade talks have taught us anything, it’s that their ripple effects are far-reaching – impacting workers, supply chains, and climate commitments around the world. The latest round of U.S. tariff negotiations is already reshaping sourcing strategies and business models, with significant implications for sustainability, labor rights, and compliance.
As companies adjust to these shifts, they face a critical question: will sustainability be deprioritized, or will it be embedded as a strategic advantage in the face of disruption?
With over 15 years working in sustainability and human rights — at both global brands and nonprofit organizations — I’ve seen how uncertain geopolitical conditions can either derail progress or catalyze bold action. These moments call for resilience, but more importantly, for courage.
Since the introduction of U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports in 2018, many brands have reshaped their sourcing models — consolidating suppliers, diversifying production, and pursuing tariff engineering strategies. Amid this urgency, responsible purchasing practices are at risk of being sidelined.
Stemming from 2018, some brands pivoted to manufacturers with global footprints for sourcing flexibility. Others reduced orders or exited countries altogether, often with little notice – sometimes leveraging the force majeure clauses in their contracts with factories to cancel existing orders. These abrupt shifts can destabilize suppliers, disrupt operations, and weaken labor protections. In worst-case scenarios, workers face layoffs without severance, unpaid wages or overtime, and shuttered factories.
Order volatility also drives increased reliance on contract labor — particularly vulnerable workers often paid via third-party agencies. This indirect structure undermines accountability and worker protections as it can be hard to detect or calculate any fees workers may pay for their jobs.
Adding to the challenge, U.S. budget cuts to the Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) threaten programs like the International Labor Organization’s Better Work program. Better Work-affiliated countries such as Jordan and Haiti are already feeling the impact, as the U.S. is a key funder. These cuts jeopardize hard-won progress in labor rights, audit convergence, and factory compliance.
Despite these challenges, tools like the The Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) from Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) and the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI) from Better Buying may offer a path forward with objective data to guide brands’ sourcing strategies and purchasing practices.
Uncertainty doesn’t just affect workers — it also jeopardizes climate action by dulling the market signals needed to drive supply chain decarbonization.
For factories, especially in emerging markets, long-term business certainty is essential to justify the major capital expenditures (CAPEX) required for climate mitigation. Upgrades like replacing coal-fired boilers, installing rooftop solar, or transitioning to renewable energy carry high upfront costs and long payback periods. These decisions rely on confidence in stable, long-term buyer relationships.
Although many manufacturers are advancing their own sustainability strategies, uncertainty around order volumes or transactional sourcing relationships can delay or halt critical investments. This chilling effect is especially pronounced among Tier 1 and Tier 2 facilities, which often require financing, technical support, and clear demand signals to move forward.
Cascale is helping to address this through our Industry Decarbonization Roadmap — a collaborative framework aligning brands, retailers, manufacturers, and solution providers around shared climate goals. By strengthening the market signal for climate action, the roadmap aims to unlock the investments needed for lasting, systems-level change.
In a rare bright spot for sustainability and responsible trade, the recent closure of the de minimis loophole marks a significant policy shift — with meaningful implications for both labor protections and global emissions.
As reported by The New York Times, 1.36 billion packages entered the U.S. last year under the de minimis exemption, which allowed goods valued under $800 to bypass tariffs and many regulatory checks. The vast majority of these shipments originated from China and were sent directly to consumers, circumnavigating oversight on issues like product safety and compliance with laws such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).
This loophole not only created an uneven playing field — undermining companies committed to ethical sourcing and compliance — but also fueled a surge in global airfreight. Since air shipping is 68 times more carbon-intensive than ocean freight, this model significantly increased the fashion industry’s emissions footprint.
Now, with the loophole closed, there’s a chance we’ll see a reduction in global emissions, and renewed incentive for companies to ensure their supply chains are transparent, traceable, and compliant with labor, safety, and environmental standards. It’s a win for brands doing the right thing — and a long-overdue step toward a more equitable and sustainable global trade system.
4. Transparency & the Courage to Adapt
While it’s often said that “brands can’t see green when they’re in the red,” recent conversations with Cascale members tell a different story. Despite economic headwinds, many brands are doubling down on their sustainability commitments — recognizing that the urgency to meet science-based targets and comply with emerging global regulations hasn’t gone away.
In fact, the ability to navigate disruption while maintaining transparency and responsible practices is quickly becoming a marker of long-term resilience. As sourcing strategies evolve, so too must the industry’s approach to protecting workers, reducing emissions, and building more equitable and future-fit supply chains.
At The Economist’s 10th Sustainability Week in London, Cascale CEO Colin Browne elevated the importance of supply chain sustainability in driving climate action.
Cascale CEO Colin Browne at The Economist’s 10th Sustainability Week: “Collaboration is the Only Way Forward”
At The Economist’s 10th Sustainability Week, held in London, Cascale CEO Colin Browne joined a panel discussion on supply chain sustainability and the role of business in driving climate action. The session, moderated by Eddie Milev (Economist Impact), explored how companies can balance geopolitical challenges, regulatory pressures, and sustainability goals while maintaining supply chain resilience.
Browne was joined by Lucy Westgarth, Environmental, Social & Governance Lead at Leidos Europe, who brought insights from the defense and public sector supply chains to the discussion. Together, they examined the shifting role of sustainability as an operational priority rather than an afterthought.
“Sustainability used to be the last item on the boardroom agenda—an afterthought,” Browne stated. “Now, it’s a core business function, touching everything from supply chain resilience to legal and financial accountability. Companies that fail to take it seriously will struggle to stay competitive.”
During the discussion, Eddie Milev set the stage by highlighting how supply chains have moved to the forefront of corporate strategy following global disruptions—from the pandemic to shifting geopolitical tensions.
Browne agreed, emphasizing that supply chains are now a defining factor of business success: “Great companies have great supply chains. Sustainability is no longer just about risk mitigation—it’s a business opportunity. Companies that embrace it will set themselves up for success, while those that ignore it will fall behind.”
Westgarth added that within government procurement and defense contracting, sustainability is increasingly tied to resilience and long-term readiness: “Sustainable procurement is about meeting today’s needs without compromising tomorrow. In our industry, resilience is key, and sustainability plays directly into that.”
A key focus of Browne’s remarks was the need for deep collaboration between brands, manufacturers, and policymakers to accelerate decarbonization. He explained that no single brand or supplier can tackle emissions alone: “Many brands and retailers use the same factories. No individual company—whether a brand or manufacturer—can solve this alone. The only way to drive real change is through collective action.”
Westgarth echoed this, emphasizing that collaboration is equally critical in public sector supply chains. “Many industries, including defense, are now working together on shared sustainability challenges—whether through accreditation systems, carbon reporting platforms, or collaborative risk assessments. The same needs to happen in consumer goods.”
Browne reinforced that brands and manufacturers must move beyond transactional relationships and build long-term partnerships that embed sustainability into core business decisions.
The conversation also touched on reshoring, nearshoring, and geopolitical tensions and how these factors impact sustainability.
Browne cautioned against moving supply chains without considering environmental impact. “If you’re changing suppliers or restructuring your supply chain, consider where you’re moving to. Are you relocating to a country investing in renewables? Can this shift be a double win—both economically and environmentally?”
Westgarth highlighted the complexity of balancing supply chain resilience with sustainability. “For some industries, nearshoring isn’t a simple fix. You might move manufacturing closer, but raw materials still need to be sourced globally. It’s about understanding the full picture.”
Browne reaffirmed Cascale’s commitment to driving industry-wide decarbonization through collective action, transparency, and measurable impact. He emphasized that companies already know what needs to be done. “The question is no longer whether we can decarbonize. We have the technology, we have the solutions. The real question is: do we have the courage, capacity, and commitment to make it happen?”
Through its Industry Decarbonization Roadmap, Cascale continues to work with its members on practical solutions that support manufacturers and brands in achieving meaningful emissions reductions while maintaining business competitiveness.
Browne closed with a call to action. “Legislation will ebb and flow, but sustainability is not going away. Consumers expect it. Markets demand it. And the planet needs it. The companies that take action now will be the ones best positioned for the future.”
Cascale’s membership requirements are driving accountability, alignment, and measurable impact across the global consumer goods industry.
At Cascale, we believe that meaningful progress toward sustainability is only possible when organizations align around shared goals and take collective action. That’s why, in 2021, we introduced our membership requirements. These guidelines are designed to unite our global members across brands, retailers, manufacturers, and affiliates – to address the industry’s most pressing challenges.
Three years later, we’re proud to share how membership requirements are laying the foundations for impactful change. While they are not the sole driver of progress, they serve as a critical reminder of the importance in aligning efforts, measuring impact, and creating accountability. The progress we’ve made together is proof that collective action is not just possible — it’s powerful.
Since 2021, Cascale’s membership requirements have complemented industry ambitions, providing a unified framework to build consistency across the consumer goods industry and its supply chain. Actions that support reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving labor practices are required. This is critical to align with Cascale’s mission of transforming the global consumer goods industry into one that gives back more than it takes to people and the planet.
This shared commitment has helped our members deliver significant milestones:
Change is easy with Cascale membership requirements.
Sustainability is a journey, and every member is at a different stage. While we celebrate these achievements, we also recognize that progress comes with challenges. That’s why Cascale focuses on supporting our members every step of the way:
In 2025, Cascale will focus on simplifying reporting processes, advancing supply chain transparency, and reinforcing alignment with strategic impact goals. Initiatives like supplier data disclosure through the Open Supply Hub will further empower members of all sizes to lead with accountability and innovation.
The membership requirements framework represents more than a set of expectations. It reflects a shared commitment to building a better future for the consumer goods industry. Together, our members are showing what’s possible when we align around common goals and take collective action.
There’s still work to be done, but the progress we’ve made together inspires confidence in what lies ahead. Cascale remains dedicated to empowering our members to lead the way — because when we work together, we can create lasting change for both people and the planet.
To our members, thank you for being a part of this journey. To meet our members, visit our members page. For more information about Cascale membership and progress, explore membership here.
Cascale’s senior director of communications, Lee Green, reflects on a season of change and progress.
Cascale’s senior director of communications, Lee Green, reflects on a season of change and progress.
As we head into the final weeks of the year, I’ve been reflecting on the role of communications in supporting our commitment to equity and balance across a diverse membership. We’re a multi-stakeholder initiative in every sense of the word, bringing together manufacturers, brands, and experts to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in sustainability. But in doing this, it’s essential that everyone feels their voice is genuinely heard, valued, and acted upon—a goal that can sometimes feel like an ambitious juggling act. And, as any juggler will tell you, sometimes you are going to drop a ball.
That’s why we’re making moves to keep this balance steady and sustainable. Recently, we made two significant updates that I believe bring us closer to achieving this vision. First, the annual update to our Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) aims to simplify and improve sustainability reporting for manufacturing facilities. Alongside this, we’re also making meaningful improvements to Higg FEM governance, ensuring that members have an even clearer and more active role in shaping the future of the tool. By refining the Higg FEM, we’re not only helping members generate more accurate environmental data, but we’re also cutting down on repetitive reporting processes that, frankly, can wear on anyone’s patience. Manufacturers especially have been asking for more efficient, impactful ways to report their data, and these updates are a step in that direction.
The second shift is our new membership engagement model, which has been designed with one purpose in mind: to ensure equitable representation. Our members are the driving force behind every initiative we undertake, and ensuring that their needs and perspectives shape our work is non-negotiable. This model lets us cater to different member types, making sure that no one feels left out or underrepresented in key conversations. As a showcase of this deepening motivation, we are exploring more diverse perspectives across our platforms. This includes the recent, “A Manufacturer’s Perspective: Busana Group’s CEO Sunil Shewakramani,” as part of a new manufacturer-led blog series. As you’ll see, it’s about breaking down barriers and making our processes more inclusive which is a shared passion across our organization. Our executive team exemplifies this passion, with both our CEO and EVP having both spent more than a month in Asia in the second half of the year, meeting with and listening to manufacturers.
Decarbonization is another cornerstone of our approach, and it’s an area where Cascale has committed to bold, industry-wide action. Our Industry Decarbonization Roadmap is guiding our members on a path to measurable, science-based targets that will align with 2025 goals. In fact, next week, our teams will be meeting in Hong Kong to map out this year’s progress and set an ambitious 2025 roadmap.
Looking ahead to our two main events next year in Asia, I’m especially excited about bringing our community together to share insights and discuss these updates in person. Hosting these gatherings in a region so integral to global manufacturing feels right, especially as we refine our tools, governance, and engagement processes. There’s nothing quite like face-to-face conversations to deepen understanding and build trust, and I can’t wait to connect directly with the people who make Cascale’s work possible.
Communications plays a vital role in this journey—not just as a function but as a bridge. By keeping our members informed, inviting their feedback, and, most importantly, listening, we’re creating a foundation for the kind of equitable and balanced collaboration that will carry us into the future. It’s my job to ensure that our stakeholders know exactly where we’re headed and feel confident in the role they play in that journey. Here’s to an exciting year of growth, together.
Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – August 06, 2024: Cascale, a global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and the ZDHC Foundation, an organization leading global value chains to achieve the highest standards for sustainable chemical management, are pleased to announce the signing of a new strategic collaboration. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to align and advance environmental sustainability in the consumer goods industry.
The two organizations have closely collaborated in the past years, aligning the Higg Brand and Retail Module (BRM) with ZDHC’s Brands to Zero reporting and, as of November 2023, ZDHC’s Supplier to Zero Programme aligns with Cascale’s Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) 4.0. This next collaboration stage aims to elevate the integration of processes, focusing on the organizations’ core competencies and establishing joint efforts to deliver a harmonized approach to facility-level environmental sustainability performance.
By integrating efforts, Cascale and ZDHC will continue to drive collective action, ensuring consistent improvements across multiple environmental impact areas such as (waste)water, sustainable chemical management and air.
Key focus areas, including the high-level goals, of the collaboration include:
These initiatives streamline processes, reduce redundancies, enhance data quality, and promote unified industry-wide education on sustainable chemical management.
“We are thrilled to join forces with ZDHC to drive forward our shared vision of environmental sustainability,” said Colin Browne, chief executive officer of Cascale. “This collaboration represents a significant step towards aligning industry practices and achieving measurable impact at scale.”
“The partnership with Cascale is a pivotal moment in our mission to advance our environmental sustainability efforts. At ZDHC, we believe systemic change is not about marketing headlines but foundational efforts. It requires a harmonized approach from NGOs, policymakers, and the industry, all working together towards realistic goals,” stated Frank Michel, CEO of the ZDHC Foundation.
Cascale Press Contact
Bobbie Semple, Account Supervisor, Small Girls PR
Email: cascale@smallgirlspr.com
About Cascale
Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.
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About ZDHC
The ZDHC Foundation leads the fashion industry in preventing harmful substances from being used in fashion production. It unites over 300 Signatories and develops guidelines, platforms and solutions that empower brands, suppliers, and chemical formulators to achieve the highest standards in safety and sustainability of their chemical management, driving resource efficiency and circularity.
This enables large-scale change towards zero hazardous chemical discharge across complex global supply chains. By creating the collaborative Roadmap to Zero Programme and equipping the fashion ecosystem with solutions, ZDHC plays an instrumental role in advancing the industry towards responsible chemical use that protects people and the planet.
For more information, go to roadmaptozero.com.
New collaboration to catalyze the industry towards impactful due diligence
Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Oakland (CA) – March 28, 2024: Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and Fair Wear, an independent nonprofit multi-stakeholder initiative that works to improve conditions for workers in garment factories, have announced a strategic collaboration. The core purpose of the collaboration is to promote human and labor rights.
“Power imbalances in the consumer goods industry can often result in both human rights and environmental risks and violations in supply chains,” said Andrew Martin, executive vice president at Cascale. “More equitable partnerships are not only desirable but are a necessary driving force for continuous improvement in responsible business conduct, and effective due diligence has a pivotal role to play in delivering this. With our membership, representing over 300 organizations in the consumer goods industry, and Fair Wear’s expertise, we work collaboratively to expand and scale the systemic change needed to address the human rights challenges we face.”
“With 25 years of experience in what is now known as human rights due diligence, Fair Wear knows that industry alignment is a condition for real impact on workers,” said Alexander Kohnstamm, executive director at Fair Wear. “Now that legislation is a fact, we are ready to provide Cascale members with Fair Wear’s knowledge and solutions to facilitate impactful due diligence. This collaboration is a great step in raising the bar for human rights in global garment supply chains.”
The industry’s fragmented nature undermines efforts to ensure unified due diligence implementation. Cascale and Fair Wear agree that meaningful change requires collaboration. Therefore, they will work with Worldly, the leader in environmental and social impact data for the apparel and footwear industry, to jointly provide their members with high-quality, reliable resources and guidance. These resources will help navigate the complexities of human rights due diligence effectively, leveraging tools such as Cascale’s Higg Index.
Fair Wear and Cascale have been working to drive sustainability in the apparel and textile industry for decades, collaborating and aligning on several initiatives related to responsible business practices. Both organizations have jointly emphasized and advocated for the critical importance of mandatory due diligence legislation as a catalyst for industry-wide impact. Furthermore, the organizations have actively supported the European Commission’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), a recently approved Directive in European Union law that requires due diligence for companies to prevent adverse social and environmental impacts across their value chains. Cascale and Fair Wear welcome the recent approval of CS3D by the Council, as well as the recent approval vote in the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI). Together, they eagerly await the European Parliament’s plenary vote to adopt the Directive, expected in April 2024. This vote is expected to contribute to the establishment of a comprehensive framework for sustainable practices in the industry.
Moreover, both organizations understand the urgent need for aligning due diligence efforts with international standards, such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment & Footwear Sector (OECD Guidelines). This is especially important given the developments in Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) legislation, such as the EU CS3D. Through this collaboration, Fair Wear and Cascale will help brands meet existing and upcoming legislative requirements.
About Cascale
Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance catalyzing collective action toward equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Spanning 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, industry associations, and nonprofits across 37 countries, we are united by a singular vision to give back more than we take for people and the planet. Cascale’s membership includes apparel, footwear, home furnishings, sporting and outdoor goods, and bags and luggage companies.
Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index. Initially formed to create standardized sustainability metrics, Cascale has sharpened its focus to driving pre-competitive collective action for a unified industry transformation. As an independent entity, Cascale brings together brands, retailers, manufacturers, NGOs, academics, and industry associations to combat climate change, ensure decent work, and contribute to a nature-positive future.
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About Fair Wear
Fair Wear’s mission is to achieve a world where workers’ rights are realised through freedom of association and social dialogue. We want to see the global garment supply chain as a source of safe, dignified and decently paid employment. As a multi-stakeholder initiative, we have connected and convened brands, factories, workers, trade unions, NGOs and other industry influencers, and built strong multi-stakeholder networks across the whole value chain for the past 25 years. Utilising each of their unique leverage, we demonstrate how impactful OECD-aligned HRDD implementation can positively change the lives of the people who make our clothes.
