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

In global supply chains – especially in the textile industry – production is increasingly becoming more socially and environmentally responsible. Consumers are paying more and more attention to social and environmental aspects in their purchasing decisions.

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: This government-run certification label for sustainable textiles is the first label to systematically assess whether companies are taking responsibility for compliance with human rights and environmental standards in their supply chains.
• Partnership for Sustainable Textiles: This Multi Stakeholder Initiative pools the strengths of responsible actors from politics, business and civil society to improve the prevailing social, economic and environmental conditions along the supply chain in the textile and clothing industry.
• Siegelklarheit: This portal provides consumers with a transparent, independent and comprehensive assessment system for labels that helps them to integrate social and environmental purchasing decisions into their everyday lives.

Last update: September 2023