Fashion and Textiles

European Union flag with blue cloudy sky background

Reflections from the RBA European conference

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) held its annual European conference in Brussels on 23-24 May 2023. Our Senior Consultant, Jean-Baptiste Collovray, shares his insights from his time there. Many discussions at the event revolved aroun...

Coloured t-shirts on hangers, hung up on a rail

Reflections from the OECD Garment Forum: fashion needs to learn from the minerals sector

Our Manager, Luke Smitham, reflects on the garment sector after attending the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector in February 2023.

After Qatar 2022: strengthening human rights due diligence

The 2022 World Cup emphasises the importance of responsible sourcing management systems to eliminate labour rights abuses of migrant workers.

What is the role of a responsible sourcing policy?

Kumi found that surprisingly few RMI members have responsible sourcing policies that are aligned with established industry good practice standards.

Multiple European flags in front of a building

EC’s proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Kumi is advising companies and industry schemes on compliance with the European Commission’s (EC’s) proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

Norwegian flag blowing in the wind with trees in the background with a cloudy sky

Achieving compliance with the Norwegian Transparency Act

Kumi is supporting companies and industry schemes to comply with Norway’s Transparency Act relating to enterprises’ transparency and work on fundamental human rights and decent working conditions.

Compliance with German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act

Kumi is advising companies and industry schemes on compliance with the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG).

Purchasing practices: go beyond pay to deliver real benefits

Improving purchasing practices in fashion and textile supply chains can enhance human rights, and it’s not just about paying more.

Busy road crossing at night time, in Tokyo

Sustainable fashion sourcing at scale: ambitions to actions

Sustainable sourcing at scale in the fashion industry is an industry priority, but there are gaps between ambition and action.

Child labour in global supply chains

Child labour remains a human rights risk: companies can address it by carrying out effective supply chain due diligence.

Clothing factor, with a woman wearing a face mask, whilst using a sewing machine at her desk

Challenges with social auditing in garment supply chains

Social audits are widely used in the fashion and textile industry to address supply chain risks, despite questionable effectiveness.

Woman in pink, working in a clothing factory using a sewing machine

Evaluating responsible sourcing in the garment sector

Kumi has been appointed by the OECD to develop an Alignment Assessment toolkit for the garment sector.