Collective Action Reimagined: A Call for Fair Process and Supplier Inclusion in Fashion’s Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs) is the Transformers Foundation’s most recent report. The systemic obstacles to meaningful supplier engagement in some of the most significant MSIs in the industry, such as Cascale (previously SAC), Textile Exchange, SLCP, and ZDHC, are examined in this research.
The paper reveals how regulations, governance, and procedures frequently maintain supplier exclusion through a series of interviews with key informants in the fashion supply chain who have extensive first-hand experience and intimate understanding of MSI supplier involvement. The results show that, despite their good intentions, these companies frequently strengthen structural obstacles that restrict supplier involvement, creating a vicious cycle of mistrust, disengagement, and unsuccessful sustainability initiatives.
The report promotes the implementation of a Fair Process paradigm, which offers hope for the future despite these obstacles. This paradigm seeks to turn MSIs into genuine forums for group action by promoting transparent, equitable, and non-biased decision-making.
Key Findings from the report include:
● Supplier Exclusion is prominent. Few suppliers are engaged in MSIs due to systemic barriers, reinforced by MSI rules and governance, leading to distrust and disengagement.
● There is an Opportunity for Change. With growing industry recognition of the importance of supplier voices, there is momentum for transforming MSIs into genuine platforms for collaboration.
● The Way Forward is the Fair Process Model. The report advocates non-biased decision-making, equitable engagement, and transparency to make MSIs more inclusive and effective in driving meaningful sustainability efforts across the fashion industry.
To mark the launch of this groundbreaking report, Transformers Foundation will host a webinar on November 14th at 10am ET/4pm CET, providing a platform to dive deeper into the report’s findings and discuss actionable solutions for making MSIs more inclusive.
