SDG Alignment
Employing over 300 million people across its value chain, the scale and reach of the apparel industry presents a number of human rights risks2. These risks include low wages, precarious working conditions, harassment, health & safety breaches, the inability to form unions and the absence of adequate grievance mechanisms. The potential of adverse events is often more acute in the supply chains of companies that utilise a ‘fast fashion’ sales model. This model relies on companies catering to ever-changing consumer tastes as quickly as possible. In addition to labour concerns, the fast-fashion business model often follows the ‘take-make-dispose’ linear trajectory which can result in a cycle of unsustainable resource exploitation and extensive waste production. The lack of transparency throughout the complex supply chains for both materials and labour coupled with the price-driven culture can result in an increased risk of modern-day slavery. Another challenge faced by the apparel industry is the reliance on self-regulation and self-auditing which compounds the above risks further.
