Transparency index pushes for more disclosure
14/07/2022
The advocacy group, which was established after the collapse of the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, has just released its Fashion Transparency Index for 2022. It tracks 250 apparel brands and retailers offering a wide array of products and an annual turnover of more than $400 million. This year, 37% did not respond to the questionnaire sent, and 23 brands participated for the first time, jacking up overall participation to 62% in 2022 up from 55% in 2021.
It reviews brands’ public disclosure on five indicators related to human rights and environmental issues. For the seventh time, no company achieved a rating of 80% or more.
Among the positive points the report notes that more brands than ever publicly make available their first-tier manufacturers (48%). Nine brands score above 90% in this section dedicated to traceability, with OVS rated the highest followed by Calzedonia Group (Calzedonia, Intimissimi, Tezenis), Gildan and UGG.
These brands publish detailed first-tier factory lists as well as some of their processing facilities and raw materials suppliers further down the chain. However, half of the brands contacted score in the 0-1% range with regards to traceability and do not disclose any suppliers. “By 2022, we had hoped to see 50% of brands publishing at least their first-tier manufacturers, so we’ll continue to push for beyond 50% next year,” the organisation notes.
In the section covering spotlight issues, the report cites excerpts from “Bangladesh Stories”, a book by Mostafiz Uddin, owner of Denim Export and founder of the Bangladesh Denim Expo: “If apparel retailers and brands do not practise transparent pricing and purchasing, an enabling environment for transparency across the supply chain cannot be created. In the global supply chain, transparency cannot be a stand-alone responsibility for the manufacturers and suppliers only. For ensuring transparency throughout the entire supply chain, a trusted and predictable relationship between all the stakeholders is key.”
Click here to download the report.
Image: Fashion Revolution
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