The International Apparel Federation (IAF) is aiming at a fairer distribution of risks and rewards between buyers and producers.

IAF, a global network uniting brands, manufacturers and their associations, has identified the need to urgently rebuild trust and has begun emphasising on supply chain issues. IAF will focus on bringing manufacturers' voice more clearly into the global industry infrastructure that is being built to reduce apparel's global environmental footprint.

When western brands collapsed during the Covid pandemic, one of the first things they did was to cancel already completed orders.As buyers cancelled orders, suppliers were left in a lurch. So a fairer distribution of risks and rewards between buyers and producers will be one of the core focuses of the International Apparel Federation.

Even though intentions are often good, purchasing practices are more an offer by buyers. Financial flows fuelling the supply chain including a fairer distribution of risk and reward are a major part of this new contract and IAF is developing both guidance and concrete services to its members in this area.

For IAF circularity – the practice of encouraging reuse, recycling, or sustainability in consumption, manufacturing – is the most effective method to reduce the pressure on climate exerted by the apparel industry.