making textile supply chains sustainable · 2019-05-27 · claudia kersten, gots „ „...
TRANSCRIPT
Making textile supply chains sustainableThe value of membership
DIALOG
INITIATIVE
OBJECTIVE
PAR
TNER
SHIP
TOG
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Welcome
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to warmly invite you to become a member of the Partnership for Sustain-
able Textiles. By working together, many strong members are currently bringing
about environmental and social improvements all the way along the supply chain.
The German Government is also involved. Members already account for around half
of retail turnover in the German textile sector, and that proportion is growing.
The German Government set up the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles as a means
of working with industry associations, companies, non-governmental organisations,
trade unions and standards organisations to make headway in the area of sustainable
textiles. We intentionally go beyond voluntary commitments, show dedication and
achieve practical results. We offer a safe environment for dialogue and for exploring
development options based on the individual contexts and business models of each
member. We work towards common objectives and securing the future viability of
the German textile industry. After all, it is clear that companies cannot tackle the
challenges in their supply chains on their own. The German textile industry faces high
expectations in terms of sustainability. Consumers and civil society alike are attaching
increasing importance to textiles being produced in a socially responsible and environ-
mentally sustainable manner. The German Government already provides practical
support to consumers in their buying decisions through the Siegelklarheit portal and app,
and we are planning to increase these efforts.
As you can see, there are many good reasons to engage to a greater extent with
sustainability issues along your own supply chain. I would be delighted to see your
company join the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles too.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Gerd Müller, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development
Dr Gerd Müller
On the initiative of Dr Gerd Müller, the German Federal Minister for Economic Coope-
ration and Development, companies, associations, non-governmental organisations,
trade unions, standards organisations and the German Government came together
in 2014 to establish the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles. Members now share their
expertise and work to improve social, environmental and economic conditions within
the textile supply chain.
Photo: Launch of practical implementation work at the 2016 Members’ Meeting:l-r: Berndt Hinzmann (INKOTA-netzwerk), Dr Gerd Müller (German Development Minister), Ingeborg Neumann (Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion Industry), Josef Sanktjohanser (German Retail Federation – HDE)
The Textiles Partnership
Based on jointly defined Partnership goals, all members verifiably set their own specific
goals and make them progressively more ambitious. These goals relate to the key
questions drafted in the specialist Chemicals and Environmental Management, Social
Standards and Living Wages, and Natural Fibres Working Groups. Independent external
experts review the goals in detail. Members engage in dialogue on the practical imple-
mentation of their goals and develop solutions in partnership.
Photo: Armstrong Spinning Mills Ltd./ Lagampalayam Village.Magnus Schmid and Dr Gisela Burckhardt with Aloisius Arockiam (from the NGO SAFE) and workers at Armstrong Spinning Mills Ltd.
Learning, dialogue and joint goal achievement
In addition to each of its members having their own goals, the Partnership also runs
Initiatives in the producer countries. These Initiatives enable members to make
practical and effective contributions to improving environmental and social standards.
For example, a Partnership Initiative that significantly increased the quality of training
for national instructors would also deliver cost savings through the synergies it created.
Representatives from all stakeholder groups are involved in these Initiatives.
Photo: Visit to Kanoria Africa Textiles plc in Ethiopia’s Keta Industrial Zone. Uttam Sapkal (Managing Director), Ulrich Plein (GIZ Ethiopia, project: ‘Establishing Binding Nationwide Standards for Measurement and the Quality of Industrial Products’), Elke Shrestha (GIZ Bangladesh, project: ‘Promotion of Social and Environmental Standards in the Industry’)
Partnership Initiatives on the ground
‘In the Textiles Partnership, we have a major opportunity to join forces to take things forward that each of us would be unable to take forward on our own.’
‘The Partnership is serious about creating transparency in the textile supply chain and finally tackling topics such as living wages and worker participation on a broader basis.’
Dr Johannes Merck, Otto GmbH & Co. KG
Frank Zach, Head of Section, Department for
International and European Trade Union Policy,
German Trade Union Confederation (DGB)
„
BÜNDNIS
‘Every time a company in the Partnership orders sustainable products, it exerts a pull effect on its entire supply chain. But this doesn’t simply happen of its own accord. As members of the Textiles Partnership, we have the opportunity to work together to create a tremendous amount of leverage here.’
‘I’m convinced that we’re heading in the right direction. On their own, no one can improve production conditions in supplier countries on a sustainable basis. But together, we are capable of achieving ongoing improvements and constantly setting more ambitious objectives.’
Daniel Hopp, Hopp KG
Claudia Kersten, GOTS
„„
Organisations from the following groups working in the area of sustainable textiles:
Companies in the textile and clothing industry and the retail sector
Associations representing the textile and clothing industry and the retail sector
Non-governmental organisations
Trade unions
Standards organisations setting non-commercial standards
Who can become a member of the Textiles Partnership?
If you are interested in joining the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, we ask that
you complete the membership application and send it to the Partnership Secretariat.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or require
more information.
You can find the membership application form here: www.textilbuendnis.com
Contact:
Dr Katrin Dobersalske
+49 228 4460 3622
How do I become a member?
Notes
ImprintPublisherPartnership for Sustainable Textilesc/o Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHFriedrich-Ebert-Allee 3653113 Bonn, Germany T +49 228 4460 3484E [email protected] www.textilbuendnis.com
Author and editorsSecretariat of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles
DesignDesign: creative republic, FrankfurtTypesetting: Sandra Winter, W4 Büro für Gestaltung, Frankfurt
Photo credits© Page 2: shutterstock © Pages 3+5: Partnership for Sustainable Textiles/T.Ecke © Pages 6+9: Partnership for Sustainable Textiles/M.Schmid © Page 10+11:
Photo Frank Zach: Ralf Steinle / Photo Daniel Hopp: Daniel Hopp / Photo Johannes Merck: Otto Pressebild / Photo Claudia Kersten: Otto Kersten
Printed on 100% recycled paper
As ofAugust 2017