Consulting on
sustainability in the textile
and apparel industry

Due diligence according to the OECD guidance

The implementation of due diligence is the basis of an effective implementation of sustainability, and my work is based on this. The Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, for example, is based on these principles, as is the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles or the company-related due diligence requirements of the certification label Green Button. These can be used for both small and large companies, although the scope and tools of implementation may differ.

Policy
Embedding responsible business conduct in enterprise policies and management systems means anchoring the content in company guidelines, e.g. in a code of conduct or a sustainability strategy, as well as establishing corresponding processes and responsibilities. Supplier management processes do have an essential role in the implementation of due diligence in the supply chain.

Risks & Assessment
Identify actual and potential harms in the enterprise’s own operations and in its supply chain goes hand in hand with knowledge and awareness of the sector risk factors, but also with the assessment and prioritization of these for one's own operations and the supply chain. Such a risk analysis can be carried out using different methods and is often based on a materiality analysis with the inclusion of relevant stakeholder perspectives. Supply chain transparency is an essential precondition for risk identification and assessment.

Prevention, Mitigation & Follow-up
Cease, prevent or mitigate harm in the enterprise’s own operations and in its supply chain means counteracting the prioritized risks with appropriate countermeasures, e.g. in the form of requirements for specific risk topics, such as standards for social working conditions, the environment or animal welfare. The implementation and tracking of the results can take place, for example, through monitoring in the form of audits or tests. It makes a lot of sense to face the challenges together in the form of industry initiatives or multi-stakeholder initiatives. Key figures play an important role in this, as do capacity building of your own employees and partners in the supply chain, furthermore it supports the preventive approach.

Reporting
Communicate to relevant stakeholder groups can take place on the one hand via a separate area on the company website, but includes many other communication channels such as social media, internal platforms, newsletters, supplier days, workshops, training courses or sustainability reporting.

Complaint & remedy
This point includes the establishment of effective grievance mechanisms or the use of existing grievance mechanisms. In the event of a negative impact that actually occurs, the company should, provide for or co-operate in remediation when appropriate.

Excerpt from the services

Development of sustainability strategies / establishment of a sustainability management
through analysis and evaluation of the actual situation, training, identification of risks but also existing strengths in terms of sustainability, as well as joint development of future strategy and goals, support in the practical implementation of strategies and goals.

Corporate due diligence
Support of both large companies and SMEs in the application of due diligence in accordance with the principles of the OECD Guideance. This is always done with a practice-oriented approach and an eye on what measures and tools are necessary for a successful implementation, especially with smaller companies it is important to proceed pragmatically and proportionately in the selection of tools and measures.

Training
Development and implementation of training courses on both the basics and specific topics (sustainability in the supply chain, implementation of sustainability, social compliance, restricted substances in production processes, ZDHC substances, REACH).

Projects
Implementation or support of specific projects on topics in depth or the contribution of many years of expert knowledge in public projects.

In-house for network partners
Internal advice for network partners against the background of many years of management experience from practice or the contribution of expert knowledge to projects in the background.

Implementation of sustainability

• Accompany measures and support in shaping
• Adjust processes and define responsibilities
• Develop reliable key figures and a reporting system
• Develop communication structures (internal, external and in the supply chain), support with implementation in the supply chain
• Development of helpful tools and guidelines
• Define monitoring mechanisms and measures in the event of violations
• Identification of possible stumbling blocks and development of countermeasures, training for different target groups
• Support in the development and implementation of individual sustainability projects
• Support in analyzing suitable standards, initiatives and memberships as well as supporting the implementation