UK lawmakers are revisiting the 2019 initiated Environmental Audit Committee’s (EAC) inquiry into the fashion industry to reexamine the sustainability practices of major fashion retailers H&M and Boohoo.
Through this, the committee aims to scrutinise the concrete steps taken by these retailers to reduce their environmental footprint since the issuance of the 2019 ‘Fixing fashion: clothing consumption and sustainability’ report. According to a research by the Hot or Cool Institute, the UK ranks fourth in carbon footprint from fashion among G20 nations.
The agenda also includes an examining the impact of resale platforms like Thrift+ on clothing consumption habits, questioning whether they contribute to reducing overconsumption in fashion.
The ‘Fixing Fashion’ report had urged urgent government action to combat throwaway fashion, proposing measures such as an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. However, progress has been sluggish, with most recommendations from the 2018 inquiry being rejected by the government.
These recommendations encompassed various measures, from producer responsibility charges to due diligence checks in supply chains to combat forced or child labor. Despite the urgency highlighted by the committee, the government's response has been deemed inadequate.
During the initial probe, 16 fashion retailers were questioned about their efforts to mitigate the negative environmental and social impacts of their products. The rejection of legislative measures to enforce due diligence checks across supply chains was met with criticism from the EAC.
Rather than implementing proposed bans on incinerating or landfilling unsold stock, the government opted to review the Modern Slavery Act of 2015. It also pledged support for voluntary initiatives like the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan.
Not satisfied with the government's response, Mary Creagh, Chairperson, emphasised on the need for tangible actions to address environmental and labor concerns in the fashion industry.
The EAC remains vigilant, monitoring the government's purported steps to tackle the issues highlighted in its report.
