Brands participating in the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textiles (AGT) took specific action in 2018 to change their operational management in a way that makes them better able to tackle abuses in their supply chain. They did this by gaining a clearer picture of conditions at a large number of production sites and of the materials being used by companies, and analysing their own supply chain.

In fcat, in 2018, the agreement also increased its impact: by the end of 2018, 92 garment and textile brands had signed up, representing around 48 per cent of the Dutch market’s turnover. International cooperation with other initiatives also grew. Companies and other parties were together able to tackle problems concerning trade union freedom, child labor and working conditions. Starting this summer, companies will themselves communicate regarding any abuses in their chains and how they plan to deal with them.

AGT was signed in July 2016 and will run for five years. It helps companies fulfill their obligations under the agreement, which involves working on a transparent supply chain and risk management in order to tackle the problems that exist in the chain. In this way, companies and other parties take joint responsibility under this agreement for a sustainable supply chain in the garment and textile sector.