As a global industry association, the SAC plays a thought leadership role in international collaboration and policy efforts to further the environmental and social vision of the organization. The SAC takes an active role in shaping global policy that will benefit the health of our planet and the well-being of the individuals and communities that make up the global value chain. The documents featured here offer a more detailed look at some of the public policy activities in which the SAC has been most engaged recently.
Sustainable Apparel Coalition Public Policy
Policy Papers
February 13, 2019
A Global Language to Measure and Improve Sustainability Performance
A Collaboration Between the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and the OECD
Industry collaboration is key to the success of the SAC’s mission. We consider multi-stakeholder alignment and convergence foundational to the change our industry needs to support the well-being of the planet and its communities. This is why, through the OECD’s advisory council, the SAC collaborated on writing the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains.
For several years, the SAC has been committed to integrating the OECD’s recommendations into the Higg Index. Thanks to our collaboration with the OECD, we have made the Higg Index most effective for the apparel industry and have also laid the groundwork for alignment with other initiatives, programs, and governmental platforms.
november 28, 2017
Letter of Intent SAC and German Partnership for
Sustainable Textiles
The SAC and the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles announced their commitment to collaborate with one another. Within this strategic partnership, the tools and systems on due diligence will be aligned. Within four years, members of both initiatives will benefit from reduced administrative reporting efforts as well. The tools and systems to promote sustainability within supply chains will be aligned as part of the strategic cooperation. The purpose of this ambition is to increase the number of parties implementing due diligence in supply chains. Read the press release.
january 16, 2017
PEF Key Learnings Recommendations
Final report from the Footwear PEF Pilot on technical matters. The SAC led the Footwear Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Pilot under the European Commission’s Environmental Footprint initiative. The PEF pilot aimed to test a standard for the industry to measure and communicate the environmental impact of products to consumers. The report provides detailed suggestions on opportunities to improve the PEF methodology.
january 16, 2017
Communication Phase Test PEF Footwear Pilot
The pilot tested the effect of a single environmental performance standard on consumers’ understanding, awareness, and behavior. Main objectives included testing a standard of communicating the environmental impact of products to consumers so they could make informed purchase decisions. The final report assesses the impact of a communication vehicle for PEFs on consumers’ choices in different markets. It includes detailed descriptions of the SAC’s recommendations.
august 10, 2016
EU Garment Initiative
The SAC supports the European’s Commission initiative to promote sustainability within the Garment industry. Three issues are central to both the European Garment Initiative and the SAC: (1) collaboration, (2) scalability and (3) transparency. The SAC could support the European Commission in achieving these objectives thanks to the Social & Labor Convergence Project promoting social and labor assessment alignment, and to Higg Index transparency efforts via our roadmap to transparency and SAC involvement in the European Commission’s product environmental Footprint Pilots.
june 4, 2016
Statement of Support for the Agreement on Sustainable Garment and Textile
The SAC supports the goals and activities of the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garment and Textile. Industry-wide collaboration is a key value the SAC can contribute to the Agreement’s goals.