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Global brands must demand transparency in supply chains: UK's WWI

28
Aug '21

Pic: Shutterstock

An investigation by UK-based Water Witness International (WWI) has accused suppliers to some of the largest fashion brands and supermarkets of discharging dangerous levels of toxins in factories in Madagascar, Mauritius, Tanzania and Lesotho and blocking access to safe water. It had received complaints from whistleblowers of non-compliance with pollution control law by manufacturers and a lack of safe water and washing facilities for workers.

The probe report, titled ‘How fair is fashion’s water footprint?’, says samples taken by WWI downstream of textile factories showed river water with a pH of 12, as high as bleach, and levels of chromium VI, a carcinogenic chemical linked to birth defects, at 75 times the legal limit.

“People are reporting burnt skin and ill-health from contact with dangerous chemicals as a result of pollution from textiles and garment factories. In the most serious cases, we found that local communities are being denied access to safe water by factory operations, with no option but to use polluted river water in their homes and farms,” said WWI director and lead author of the report Nick Hepworth in a press release.

“Although we found pockets of good practice, suppliers and high street brands appear to have a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. We need real action on the ground. Global brands must step up and demand transparency in their supply chains; this is the only way to deliver safe and ethical products to their customers,” he added.

Reformed trade agreements, tax incentives, targeted aid programmes, and the cheapest labour costs on earth have turned Africa into a growing hub for textile and clothing production, WWI added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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