The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has opened a global public consultation on its proposed Textiles & Apparel Sector Standard, aiming to improve sustainability reporting across the industry’s complex value chain. The initiative directly supports global ESG goals and the transition to a carbon neutral strategy, particularly within one of the world’s most environmentally and socially impactful sectors. 

Open for feedback until 28 September 2025, the draft standard targets organizations involved in the production and sale of textiles, clothing, footwear, and jewelry, spanning retail, wholesale, and global supply chains. 

Key Focus Areas: 

• Environmental risks: Water pollution, hazardous chemicals, high greenhouse gas emissions, and textile waste 

• Social risks: Gender-based discrimination, excessive working hours, wage inequality, and poor labor conditions affecting over 70 million workers, primarily young women 

• Traceability and transparency: Addressing challenges in dispersed supply chains to improve data accuracy and corporate accountability 

GRI’s Sector Standard aims to create consistent, globally relevant metrics that help companies comply with evolving stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements. The draft encourages feedback on its clarity, feasibility, and materiality, engaging brands, suppliers, investors, civil society, and labor groups in the consultation process. 

“This new standard empowers organizations to identify and report their most significant ESG impacts with transparency,” said Peter Dawkins, Senior Manager at GRI Standards. 

The proposed framework complements GRI’s Universal Standards and aligns with global efforts to integrate responsible practices into business operations—crucial for reducing sector-wide emissions, waste, and labor risks. 

Stakeholders can participate in global webinars on 21 July and 15 September to learn more and contribute to shaping the final standard. 

This move positions GRI as a catalyst for advancing ESG transparency and supports the carbon neutral transformation of the global textiles and apparel industry. 

Source : 

https://esgnews.com/gri-opens-global-consultation-on-new-textiles-apparel-sustainability-reporting-standard/