Partnership for Sustainable textiles
The Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (PST) is a multi-stakeholder initiative with around 140 members from companies, associations, trade unions, civil society, standard setting organisations and the German Federal Government. As the first point of contact for all companies that want to fulfil their environmental and human rights due diligence obligation throughout the supply chain, it offers a network and support. The focus is on due diligence as described in the German National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights (NAP), among others.
The PST strives for social and environmental improvements in the textile and garment industry along the entire textile life cycle. The guiding principles for action are respect for human rights and responsible business conduct within planetary boundaries. The goals and procedures of the Textiles Partnership are based on international due diligence standards and guidelines from the UN, ILO and OECD.
Real transformation requires the participation of all stakeholders
As a multi-stakeholder initiative, the Textiles Partnership brings together companies, associations, NGOs, standard setting organisations, trade unions and the German Federal Government. They join forces and contribute their expertise and strengths. In addition, the Textiles Partnership cooperates with European and international initiatives in order to spread best practices, increase the leverage for its commitment and avoid duplication of efforts.
Partnership goals and topics
With regard to social and human rights, the Textiles Partnership is committed to living wages and gender equality, occupational health and safety, against child and forced labour and against discrimination. Ecological issues include responsible management and the protection of the environment, climate and natural resources. Since corruption at all levels can undermine and destroy progress on social and ecological issues, the PST promotes integrity as well as corruption prevention.
Three central fields of work characterise the work of the Textiles Partnership
With the Review Process, the PST has developed an implementation framework and a reporting format for due diligence. The review process stands for the commitment of small, medium-sized and large textile brands and traders to take individual responsibility for their supply chain. Based on a risk analysis, they work step by step to effectively prevent and mitigate the most serious social, environmental and corruption risks in their value chain.
In Partnership Initiatives, several members engage on the ground in the production countries, for example for living wages, sound wastewater management and effective complaints mechanisms.
The Textiles Partnership is also a platform for learning and dialogue: Members network within their and with other stakeholder groups, they share their knowledge and work together on best practices.
Recognition of cotton standards
The members of the PST pursue a common goal to increase the share of sustainable cotton: by 2025, the share of sustainable cotton should increase to a total of 70 percent, and the share of organic cotton contained therein to 20 percent. When recognising cotton as sustainable or organic, the PST largely relies on the systemic and content-related minimum requirements of Siegelklarheit.
Here you can visit the Textile Partnership.
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