The textile industry in Bangladesh has established a basis for responsible garment manufacturing in the long term. For the first time businesses as a group will state which factories produce their clothing. They have also drawn up specific improvement plans to tackle poor working conditions, human rights and environmental and animal abuses. A further step is the appointment of an independent disputes committee with the power to issue binding rulings.

The entire initiative is the result of a collaboration that began a year ago under the terms of a garment and textile agreement. Partners in the agreement have worked out a structure for identifying risks and launching improvements. Businesses have submitted plans with targets for the years ahead. The real work will begin in the coming year. The agreement will remain in effect for a five-year period.

The agreement puts the focus on collective projects and cooperation, increasing the chance of success. It concentrates the agendas and efforts of different parties. More than 60 businesses have signed the agreement so far, representing about 80 different consumer clothing and textile brands. This multi-stakeholder approach is unique in the world and has attracted the attention of Germany, Denmark, the UK and other countries.