Over 50 Brands re-sign the New International Accord; 46 Brands Commit to the Bangladesh Safety Agreement
A total of 56 global brands and retailers have so far signed the renewed International Accord, 48 have signed the Bangladesh Safety Agreement and 88 have signed the Pakistan Accord. Multiple brands are in the final stages of internal reviews and are expected to sign the agreements in the coming days. The latest list of signatories is available here.
Brands and trade unions renewed their commitments for an extended three-year term, with an automatic renewal of another three years making it the longest Accord commitment to date. The International Accord will serve as the framework for implementing the Accord’s Country-Specific Safety Programs (CSSPs), currently in Bangladesh and Pakistan, as well as any future programs in other garment producing countries. These programs will be implemented through separate agreements as CSSP Addendums to the International Accord.
Additionally, the brands and trade unions finalised the new Bangladesh Safety Agreement to further their efforts in enhancing health and safety within the Bangladeshi garment industry through the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC).
Both agreements entered into force on 1 November 2023.
Prior to these two new agreements, in December 2022 Accord signatories decided to establish a new workplace health and safety program called the Pakistan Accord for an initial term of three years starting on 1 January 2023.
We invite all garment and textile brands and retailers sourcing from Bangladesh and Pakistan to join the signatories to these agreements. We encourage you to re-sign the new International Accord, the Bangladesh Safety Agreement, as well as the Pakistan Accord, and reaffirm your commitment to our collective mission of a safe and sustainable textile and garment industry.
Resources:
Related updates
February 17, 2023
The International Accord organised a virtual side session on 13 February as a part of the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector to discuss the challenges & opportunities for the recently launched Pakistan Accord.
January 23, 2023
Accord Steering Committee member brands BESTSELLER, C&A, H&M, Inditex, Otto Group, and PVH Corp. have signed the Pakistan Accord.
December 14, 2022
Signatories to the International Accord are establishing a new workplace health and safety program in Pakistan covering signatories’ garment and textile suppliers.
May 3, 2023
A total of 54 brands and retailers have thus far signed the Pakistan Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, with more expected to follow in the coming weeks.
April 24, 2023
The Accord commemorates 10 years since the Rana Plaza collapse by remembering those who perished, those who were injured, and those who continue living with the impacts of one of the worst workplace disasters in modern history.
March 22, 2023
The International Accord participated in the 4th UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights organized by UNDP Business and Human Rights Asia from 20-22 March 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal.