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Textile and Apparel Industries Given New Sustainability Guidelines by GRI

Textiles and apparel companies worldwide are now invited to evaluate the latest draft of the Sustainability Reporting Standard for their industry, which emphasizes transparency in human rights and environmental practices. The Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) standards are widely recognized...

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Textile and Apparel Industry braces for new Sustainability Reporting Standard unveiled by GRI
Textile and Apparel Industry braces for new Sustainability Reporting Standard unveiled by GRI

Textile and Apparel Industries Given New Sustainability Guidelines by GRI

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has unveiled a new Sector Standard for Textiles and Apparel, aimed at enhancing accountability and transparency in the global fashion industry. This standard focuses on improving sustainability practices, particularly in areas of human rights, labor conditions, and environmental impacts[1][3][5].

The textile and apparel sector has been identified as a priority due to its complex and fragmented supply chain, potential negative impacts on labor and human rights in producing countries, and contributions to rising greenhouse gas emissions[2]. The proposed standard goes beyond the general GRI Standards by introducing sector-specific disclosures[1].

Key topics covered in the draft standard include labor rights, water use, emissions, materials, chemicals and wastewater, traceability, gender discrimination, excessive working hours, and water pollution from hazardous chemicals[1][3]. The standard also encourages alignment with international frameworks such as the OECD Guidelines, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12)[3].

The draft standard is currently open for global public consultation until September 28, 2025[1]. The consultation period is highly participatory, engaging various stakeholders such as global brands, suppliers, manufacturers, labor unions, human rights organizations, environmental NGOs, institutional investors, and ESG analysts[3]. Feedback is being sought on the draft’s clarity, feasibility, completeness, and relevance to ensure the final standard is practical and impactful[1].

Peter Dawkins, GRI Standards Senior Manager and project lead for developing the new Standard, stated that the aim is to help organizations report more effectively and embed responsible business practices throughout their operations[4]. The final release date for the standard has not been officially announced, but it is expected to be published after the feedback is incorporated, most likely in 2026[1].

The new Sector Standard is part of a series of planned sector reporting standards by the GRI, following the publication of its first sector standard in 2021 covering the oil and gas sector[6]. The GRI aims to develop standards for 40 sectors, starting with those that have the highest impact[6].

References: [1] GRI (2023). GRI Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard Exposure Draft. Retrieved from https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/2023-exposure-drafts/textiles-and-apparel/ [2] GRI (2023). Focus of the GRI Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard. Retrieved from https://www.globalreporting.org/resources/focus-of-the-gri-textiles-and-apparel-sector-standard/ [3] GRI (2023). Key Topics Covered in the GRI Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard. Retrieved from https://www.globalreporting.org/resources/key-topics-covered-in-the-gri-textiles-and-apparel-sector-standard/ [4] GRI (2023). GRI Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard: Improving transparency and accountability. Retrieved from https://www.globalreporting.org/news/gri-textiles-and-apparel-sector-standard-improving-transparency-and-accountability/ [5] GRI (2023). Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard: A new global standard for sustainability reporting. Retrieved from https://www.globalreporting.org/news/textiles-and-apparel-sector-standard-a-new-global-standard-for-sustainability-reporting/ [6] GRI (2023). GRI launches public comment on Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard. Retrieved from https://www.globalreporting.org/news/gri-launches-public-comment-on-textiles-and-apparel-sector-standard/

  1. The new Sector Standard for Textiles and Apparel, unveiled by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), provides a means for enhancing sustainability reporting in the fashion industry, focusing on labor rights, water use, emissions, materials, chemicals, and wastewater, among other topics.
  2. This GRI standard encourages alignment with international frameworks like the OECD Guidelines, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12), aiming to address issues such as gender discrimination, excessive working hours, and water pollution from hazardous chemicals.
  3. The proposed standard seeks input from various stakeholders, including global brands, suppliers, manufacturers, labor unions, human rights organizations, environmental NGOs, institutional investors, and ESG analysts, during the global public consultation period which ends on September 28, 2025.
  4. In addition to the Textiles and Apparel Sector Standard, the GRI plans to develop standards for 40 sectors and has already begun with the oil and gas sector, highlighting the organization's commitment to promoting sustainability practices across various industries, thereby any business, retail, finance, or lifestyle sector participating in these industries can help contribute to the environmental science and science-based decisions for a more sustainable future.

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