On 21-25 February 2022, the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector will bring together representatives from government, business, trade unions and civil society to address emerging risks and to share learnings on implementing labour, human rights, environmental and integrity due diligence in the sector across geographies. This side session is hosted by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Multi-Stakeholder-Initiatives Working Group on Responsible Purchasing Practices and the Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative (STTI).
The panel discussion will focus on how buyer-supplier relationships can move towards a more equal partnership, what companies are doing towards this goal and what opportunities and barriers are seen from both the purchasing and supply perspectives. This is discussed in the context of sharing both the STTI White Paper on Commercial Compliance and the Common Framework for Responsible Purchasing Practices, as contributions towards the shared goal of improving purchasing practices and their impact on working conditions.
Developed by the members of a Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives Working Group, the Common Framework is a reference point for companies working to improve their purchasing practices and for Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives supporting their member companies in implementing practical improvements in purchasing, to increase the scope for improved working conditions in supply chains. The working group has included representatives from ETI, Ethical Trade Norway, Fair Wear, the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles and the Dutch Agreement for Sustainable Garments, and has consulted with ACT, Better Work, Better Buying Institute and amfori. The framework integrates key elements from the recent relevant Whitepaper by the STTI and builds on previously published reports and frameworks from the involved MSIs and others.