A new report titled, ‘Responsible UK Fashion and Textile Supply Chains,’ released by the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT), aims to improve social and ethical compliance within UK fashion and textile manufacturing to increase domestic production. This report pinpoints practical solutions and opportunities to create positive change for manufacturers, brands, and retailers, and is a key step in supporting the UK fashion and textile industry's efforts to bring production back to the UK.
Drawing from extensive input from industry stakeholders, the report identifies opportunities in five key areas: legislation and policy, training and education, simplifying standards, tools and systems, and incentives and funding. Based on industry expertise, these recommendations will help position the UK as a leader in responsible fashion and textile manufacturing, building on its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
This report was developed in partnership with UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and the Circular Fashion Innovation Network. It is a part of the sustainable manufacturing initiative, which also includes projects and actions to explore high-volume manufacturing in the UK, enhance existing UK manufacturing capacity, and reduce carbon emissions in manufacturing.
Brands and retailers are increasingly looking into local manufacturing solutions, and UK manufacturers are exploring ways to expand production and increase capacity, says Adam Mansell, CEO, UKFT. Domestic sourcing offers benefits like greater responsiveness, flexibility, a smaller carbon footprint, and improved visibility into manufacturing environments. By addressing the social and ethical compliance landscape, manufacturers can fully unlock these opportunities and drive positive growth for the manufacturing industry here in the UK.
The insights and recommendations will help create the conditions necessary for UK manufacturing to thrive, supporting the Circular Fashion Innovation Network's vision of an innovative and responsible industry.
