A major initiative was recently launched by the fashion industry to improve working conditions for workers in clothing industry, across the globe. The global project will see clothes and shoe manufacturers create an industry-wide method for ensuring products are made by people who are well treated. The initiative includes big brands such as H&M and Levi’s, Nike and Adidas among other firms too back this Social and Labour Convergence Project.

CEO at non-profit supply-chain improvement experts Sedex, Jonathan Ivelaw-Chapman, says since the birth of ethical sourcing, there has been a proliferation of differing codes, audits, protocols and approaches. Lack of convergence causes issues, drains suppliers’ resources and makes it difficult to benchmark their efforts, he added. H&M too believes that the sustainability challenges faced by them needs joint efforts since all parties have a shared responsibility.

The brands believe that they will save money and redirect funds into improving conditions by creating one system of assessing supply chains. Michael Kobori, of Levi Strauss & Co welcomed the opportunity to explore how to support more effective ways to raise labour standards. Global exports in clothing and textiles reached nearly £518 billion in 2013, as per the World Trade Organisation.