Mainstreaming corporate due diligence – promoting sustainable consumption

Context

Social and ecological textile production and responsible consumption are core objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They require joint action by policy makers, businesses and consumers worldwide.

Objective

Global supply chains – especially in the textile industry – are becoming increasingly socially and environmentally responsible. Consumers are taking these aspects more into account in their purchasing decisions and usage behaviour.

Approach

The programme advises the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and other German development cooperation organisations on responsible production and consumption patterns – particularly in textile supply chains. It also provides the secretariats or administrative offices for the following initiatives:

• Green Button: First government-run certification label that systematically assess whether companies are taking responsibility for compliance with human rights and environmental standards in their supply chains.
• Partnership for Sustainable Textiles: Unites politics, business and civil society to improve social, economic and environmental conditions in the textile industry.
• Siegelklarheit: Transparent, independent platform for evaluating labels that helps consumers make social and environmental purchasing decisions.

Last update: February 2025