Fair Wear Foundation

We are deeply saddened to learn that a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, March 28, 2025, followed by a second 6.4-magnitude aftershock. The earthquake’s tremors were felt throughout Southeast Asia and there are reports of multiple deaths and injuries from the affected regions.   Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this disaster; those who have lost loved ones, who have been injured or displaced, and their communities.   We remain in close contact with our team in Myanmar and are providing support where we can. We are also working with local organisations and partners to gather information on the affected areas and assess the impact on workers and supply chains.   Our recommendations for brands sourcing from Southeast-Asia considering the earthquake in Myanmar are published on our website here: https://lnkd.in/eNWbxRaV   We will continue to provide updates on in-country circumstances and guidance for our members.  

STITCH Partnership’s latest Story of Change — sharing about significant steps towards industry alignment on responsible purchasing practices.   To drive systemic change, Fair Wear Foundation as a part of the Working Group on Responsible Purchasing Practices (RPP WG)—including STITCH members— contributed to key initiatives and resources that aim to establish a new standard for responsible purchasing: - The Common Framework on Responsible Purchasing Practices - Industry learning programmes and an online resource hub - The (draft) Purchasing Practices HRDD Framework These efforts contribute to a more equitable and sustainable approach to purchasing, ensuring that responsibility is embedded across supply chains.   As Lisa Süß Süss, our Head of Industry Alignment, highlighted; "stakeholders agree on the need for stronger alignment and common language on responsible purchasing practices. "   Read the full story on their website here: https://lnkd.in/ew3C9pvn #ResponsiblePurchasing #FairWear #STITCH

Today, amfori - Trade with Purpose, Cascale, Etisk handel Norge - Ethical Trade Norway, ETI Sverige - Hållbara leverantörsled, Fair Labor Association, Social & Labor Convergence Program, and Fair Wear Foundation continue urging EU policymakers to ensure the EU corporate sustainability due diligence and reporting framework aligns with internationally recognised standards.    We appreciate the European Commission’s efforts to simplify due diligence requirements and ease administrative burden on European businesses. However, simplification must not come at the cost of reducing the effectiveness of due diligence. We call on EU policymakers to ensure:     - A proportionate, risk-based approach must be preserved  The EU CSDDD was designed to translate carefully developed voluntary standards on responsible business conduct into a mandatory framework. Maintaining alignment with those very standards remains crucial for businesses. - Harmonised enforcement for legal certainty  Harmonisation should encompass not just the due diligence standard but also the enforcement mechanisms. We see a risk that the current proposal will create a fragmented litigation landscape and legal uncertainty compared to the adopted version. - Create certainty for businesses that have invested in CSRD reporting  Narrowing the CSRD’s scope would exclude 80% of currently covered companies, undermining those already preparing for compliance and creating legal uncertainty.    Simplifying due diligence and reporting requirements can be achieved without moving away from the spirit of international standards on responsible business conduct. We call on the co-legislators to make the simplification exercise both effective and meaningful for companies and the people affected in their supply chains.     🔗 Read our full response on our website: https://lnkd.in/gBh3vgXh

Fair Wear announces new Executive Director The Board of Fair Wear Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Annabel Meurs as Executive Director, effective 1 April 2025. Current ED Alexander Kohnstamm will remain fully engaged with the organisation as Director of External Affairs, handing over all executive management to Annabel while continuing to support our key partnerships.    Mark Held, Fair Wear Chair: "Annabel has been with Fair Wear for over 13 years in a variety of roles, including general management. This experience has given her a comprehensive understanding of the key human rights challenges in our industry. At the same time, she has demonstrated a strong ability to translate vision into action — exactly the right skill set to lead Fair Wear in the next strategic period."    Annabel Meurs, Executive Director designate: “I am honoured by this appointment and the Board’s trust in me. I’m strongly committed to reinforcing Fair Wear's leadership as the only multistakeholder organisation fully dedicated to practical and impactful human rights due diligence in the garment, textile, and footwear industry. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we equip the sector with the tools and expertise to drive structural improvements in working conditions.”    Alexander Kohnstamm, current Executive Director: "Annabel's thought leadership, stakeholder network, and extensive expertise in human rights due diligence have been invaluable to our organisation, our membership and the sector. With her as Executive Director, Fair Wear is well-positioned to continue driving systemic change in the industry. In my new role as Director of External Affairs, I look forward to continuing to support her while focusing fully on strengthening the partnerships I’ve helped build over the past seven years."    Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/eRAYNv2j

🗓️ We’re excited to join the Innovation Forum's Sustainable Apparel & Textiles Conference on April 29-30th! This two-day event will bring together forward-thinking leaders in the apparel and textiles industry to explore practical strategies for tackling today’s most pressing challenges. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to create a real impact amid growing competition and scrutiny, all while managing tight budgets. Fair Wear's Eveline de Wael -van Manen will be joining a panel to discuss action against forced labour and preventing human rights abuses with: 🟦 Danique Lodewijks, Sustainable Raw Materials Manager, BESTSELLER 🟦 Amit Gautam, CEO and founder, TextileGenesis 🟦 Moderated by: Janet Mensink, CEO, Social & Labor Convergence Program Want to be part of the conversation? Click here to join us and use code FAIRWEAR10 for a 10% discount: https://lnkd.in/gRTGxg9

This International Women's Day, we're telling you about gender-responsive human rights due diligence (GRHRDD).   It is estimated that women make up around 80% of the global garment workforce. However, they: 1. are commonly paid less than their male counterparts; 2. have fewer opportunities for job development; 3. are subjected to workplace violence, harassment, and discrimination; 4. lack influence at decision-making levels; and, 5. face additional barriers when seeking effective access to remedy. Though these inequalities are deeply embedded in supply chains, they are not inevitable. Through GRHRDD, brands can take action to tackle these challenges and promote gender equitable supply chains.   GRHRDD is about specifically considering the ways in which business operations and decisions can impact individuals differently based on their gender. GRHRDD recognises that human rights violations are not gender-neutral, but rather, that gender is a cross-cutting dimension, intrinsic to all labour violations. It acknowledges and addresses the unique risks, vulnerabilities, and barriers faced by women, men and gender diverse people in various contexts, ensuring that efforts to respect human rights are inclusive and equitable.    Throughout the next month, we look forward to sharing more about how Fair Wear is working across the industry to advance gender equity in supply chains and drive systemic change.   #IWD #InternationalWomensday #garmentindustry #HRDD 

Brand Performance Check: VAUDE ⭐ Category: LEADER ⭐ Vaude has been recognised as a Leader by Fair Wear, achieving a benchmarking score of 80. This recognition highlights Vaude’s continued dedication to ethical practices and improving workers’ rights. The brand continued to strengthen its human rights due diligence process, finalising its responsible business conduct policy and taking steps to promote living wages in its supply chain. Vaude has advanced its work on gender equality, with all production sites in Vietnam participating in ILO Better Work gender training, and has introduced its 'Vaude-share' methodology to contribute to living wages. For more details on Vaude’s progress and performance check results, visit their brand page: https://lnkd.in/dwW4JgbY

Brand Performance Check: Montane Ltd ⭐ Category: LEADER ⭐ Montane has been recognised as a Leader with a benchmarking score of 71, reflecting its strong commitment to ethical sourcing and workers’ rights. The brand prioritises long-term partnerships with suppliers in Vietnam and Bangladesh, focusing on risk-based action plans and workplace safety. In Bangladesh, Montane addresses low female representation in leadership and safety risks in the garment sector, ensuring compliance with the RSC’s safety standards. In Vietnam, it tackles childcare allowance gaps and gender equality through supplier engagement and policy updates. Montane continues to strengthen responsible sourcing and is actively exploring solutions to support living wages. Learn more about Montane’s progress: https://lnkd.in/ee6y4yQx

Following the recent Omnibus developments, our Executive Director, Alexander Kohnstamm, shares his insights in Sourcing Journal on the importance of a balanced and effective legislative framework. He explains how the current proposal reduces impact while increasing unnecessary burdens on companies. The only way to drive systemic change for workers is to support a risk-based approach, as outlined in the OECD guidelines. Read the full article by Jasmin Malik Chua here: https://lnkd.in/eu4qbJD9

As part of STITCH Partnerships “Meet the STITCH Consortium” series, our Gender Equality Programme Manager, Andrea Spithoff, discusses the biggest challenges in transforming the garment industry. She highlights the importance of Gender-Responsive HRDD — an approach that ensures business operations and decisions consider their different impacts on individuals based on gender. This is key to creating a more equitable industry. Read more about Andrea’s work, Fair Wear’s role, and the STITCH partnership’s interventions here: https://lnkd.in/eU7qnc-u