Leaders of Bangladesh's apparel industry, believe, the new bill passed by New York may raise the cost of their business which needs to be compensated by fair prices. A major destination of global fashions, New York has introduced a bill that aims to make apparel retailers and makers disclose detailed information on environmental and social practices, including workers' wage and carbon emissions, at all levels of the global supply chain – from raw material sourcing to finished products.

Titled, ‘Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act, the bill would require suppliers to the US fashion industry to disclose the source of their products. The bill compel suppliers to resort to responsible sourcing , says Rubana Huq, Former President, BGMEA. They would have change their product type, amend pricing structure and adopt sustainable business practices, she adds.

Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, the bill will increase the cost of business for exporters. Dr MA Razzaque, Chairman, Research and Policy Integration for Development,, adds the new law will not create problems for countries that have good documentation systems in the supply chain. According to The New York Times report, companies would be given 12 months to comply with the mapping directive, and if they are found to be in violation of the law, they would be fined up to 2 per cent of their annual revenues.