Today’s fashion business is all about sustainable apparel, thus many stores are taking responsibility for their manufacturing processes. In order to reduce social risks, particularly when working with multi-tier distribution networks, sustainable supply chain management-related regulatory procedures are being increasingly embraced alongside international social responsibility standards.
The fashion industry is one of the most likely industries which has a worldwide value of 759.5 billion dollars. As the world is advancing technologically, every other industry including the fashion sector has gone through huge changes in the last two years. Also we shouldn’t forget about the pandemic situation which changed the dynamic of the fashion industry forever.
Additionally, modest and premium firms may now take their shopping online experience and digitize their catalogs thanks to the widespread use of the internet. Customers are now able to closely connect with trends, discover the world of their brand, and utilize their apparel as a form of social currency thanks to this transformation. As a result, companies may reach a larger market while merchants save money.
This sustainable clothing idea first came in light when the Rana plaza incident happened which killed over a thousand people. Also there was another fire incident in Pakistan that created awareness of the apparel industry’s adherence to social and environmental sustainability norms.
Issues with supply chains and the use of blockchain technology
There is a lengthy history of supply constraints, including unethical labour methods, inefficient manufacturing, a lack of production chain openness, and an abundance of clothes that ends up in landfills.
Blockchain technology can solve these issues by providing a decentralized, contemporaneous shared ledger of all transactions. Transparency and traceability may be offered across the course of a garment’s life by using blockchain to monitor its origin, as well as the origin of food, appliances, and financial transactions. Blockchain has enabled a gradual but steady evolution of the supply chain from producer to consumer.
With the help of a permanent digital record, blockchains may give clients complete visibility into the lifetime of a product as well as the working conditions at manufacturing facilities. Additionally, it guarantees customers an authenticity seal for any used or pre-owned fashion items.
What are the important compliances used in the apparel industry?
Retailers in the garment sector will want the following from their main supply chain partners:
BSCI
Business Social Compliance Initiative, often known as BSCI, offers the garment sector a social auditing technique and reporting that will provide a uniform code of conduct for the operation of several supply chains. The fashion industry is being helped by BSCI, now known as amfori BSCI, to trade with a purpose and enhance social effectiveness in their supply chain.
SA8000
Manufacturers in the clothing sector who satisfy all BSCI standards are eligible to apply for Social Accountability International’s SA8000 social management accreditation. The SA8000 accreditation, which is based on global norms, aims to raise social sustainable goals for both the company and its staff.
Child labor, forced or involuntary labor, health and safety, independence of association and the right to collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary methods, working hours, pay, and management system are all factors taken into account by the SA8000 standard.
WRAP
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), another significant accreditation, highlights people’s evidence of social compliance in the garment business.
While SA8000 is a multi-stakeholder program, the BSCI and WRAP are business-driven initiatives that were started by industry groups. The SA8000 and WRAP both include system certification, however, the BSCI proposes a uniform code of conduct.
Compliance in the garment industry
Compliance refers to adherence to a set of requirements. A secure workplace and favorable working circumstances are essential for devoted employees who make sure that production is quick, dependable, and efficient because the garment business significantly relies on human resources. Because the employees appreciate their employers, safer manufacturing working conditions naturally result in lower staff turnover and increased productivity, dedication, and performance.
The management of the textile and garment industries should establish a set of regulations that they will uphold in order to ensure decent working conditions for the employees and workers in light of all the tragedies occurring in the Bangladeshi garment industries.
Here is a list of points that have been retained in full compliance while others have been reduced to parity. specifically for the clothing industry include the following:
1. Compensation for holiday
2. Leave with wages
3. Time care
4. Equal remuneration
The factory ought to honor the employees’ entitlement to a livable wage.
5. Working hours:
The working hour’s breaks, and public holidays of a plant must be in compliance with all applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, and industry benchmarks.
6. Child labor abolition policy:
No children younger than 18 years of age may be employed by a factory.
7. Anti-discrimination policy:
Discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, eviction, or retirement is not permitted in factories.
8. Working hour policy
9. Security policy
10. Health and safety:
The factory is required to create a secure and healthy working environment and should take precautions to avoid any potential health and safety problems, illnesses, or injuries that could be connected to the factory’s operations.
11. Canteen
12. Drinking water supply
13. Separate toilet for men and women
14. Urinal accommodation
15. Disposal of wastes and effluent
16. Sufficient fire extinguisher and active
17. Access are without hindrance
18. Fire signs in both languages
19. Emergency exit
20. Arrangement of doctor, nurse, medicine etc.
21. Zero abasement policy
As previously mentioned, despite the existence of set compliance standards, garment factories around the world are still found to be in breach of social adherence and are accused on counts of paying unfair wages, requiring long hours of work, exceeding local overtime limits, violating health and safety regulations, and more.
Social compliance infractions in clothing manufacturing don’t usually result in explosions or collapsed structures. Beyond the physical state of the factories, brand or retailer compliance requirements or local legislation must also be followed, as well as labor treatment. Working with non-compliant manufacturers can cause a range of issues in a supply chain, as garment importers frequently discover.
Posh garments is one of those garments in Bangladesh which is acknowledged because of their compliance factories and sustainability. For other RMG producers to encourage sustainable development and expansion, they are setting an example. Sustainable fashion has become a trend and every manufacturer should keep this in mind and start to be compliant.
