International Accord news and archive

Almost 100 brands sign new International Accord

The International Accord, an international agreement on health and safety in the textile and garment industry, celebrated its tenth anniversary at the end of last year. What began as the Bangladesh Accord in 2013 became the Transition Accord 2018 five years later, and was signed by more than 190 brands and retailers as well as global trade...

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Rana Plaza - ten years later

How many times have we rolled our eyes when there was an emergency drill, maybe at school, work or college? Happening at the most inopportune times (just like a real emergency) - we may get up grudgingly, follow a dedicated co-worker or fellow student to an emergency meeting point and from there to the nearest exit. Grumbling about the...

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Bestseller, C&A, H&M, Inditex, Otto Group and PVH Corp. commit to Pakistan Accord

As the member brands of the Pakistan Accord’s steering committee, Bestseller, C&A, H&M, Inditex, the Otto Group and PVH Corp. have affirmed their commitment to the workplace safety program. They will act in close collaboration with their Pakistani suppliers and other stakeholders in the coming weeks as they take steps towards the establishment...

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Pakistan finally announces International Accord workplace safety program

After a decade-long push towards safer garment factory in Pakistan, the International Accord was finally announced on Wednesday, cheered on by 187 brand signatories, Pakistani unions and NGO witness signatories. The new agreement is modelled on the Bangladesh Accord, which was signed after the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse. “After years of...

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Brands accused of still blocking worker safety improvements 10 years after Ali Enterprises fire in Pakistan

In a press release on the tenth anniversary of the devastating fire at Ali Enterprises in Pakistan that killed 250 people, international NGO Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) has accused the textile industry of not doing enough to improve standards despite numerous accidents, some of them fatal, in Pakistan's textile factories. In particular, fashion...

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Retailers and unions agree on new, expanded Bangladesh Accord

A legally binding pact set up in 2013 to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi garment factory workers has been extended by two years. A representation of international textile retailers and the global trade union signatories to the former Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh announced Wednesday they have agreed to continue legally...