AMSTERDAM – With just over 2.5 years before it comes to an end, the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile (AGT) today reports that 86 per cent of the 92 textile and garment companies signed up to the initiative are ‘well on the way’ to meeting its social and environmental targets on how textiles and clothing should be made.
However, only 8 per cent of participants are currently in full compliance of the initiative as outlined by the AGT assessment framework.
The findings, which are published today in the AGT annual report, says the initiative has now gained a much clearer picture of textile production sites serving the Dutch market as well as more clarity on what materials are being used by these companies. It also details specific actions taken in 2018 “to change their operational management in a way that makes them better able to tackle abuses in their supply chains.”
Yet the head of the Dutch initiative also acknowledges progress has not been as quick as was first thought. “Change is slower than we would wish it to be in view of our enthusiasm and commitment,” said Pierre Hupperts, chair of Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textiles. “It takes time to arrive at the right approach and to change the organisation and processes within companies. This makes it essential to set clearly defined priorities and to focus our attention and efforts on activities that can really make a difference.”
Launched in July 2016, the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile runs for five years and aims to improve the working conditions, prevent pollution and to promote animal welfare in regions that supply textile and apparel to the Dutch retail market through year-on-year improvements.
