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Developments since 2013
There were a significant number of accomplishments under the 2013 Accord, those of which included large scale hazard identification and remediation of these safety issues. Engineers inspected more than 2000 RMG factories where they identified more than 150,000 safety hazards. Additionally, companies committed to negotiating terms with their suppliers such that it was possible for the factories to maintain and uphold a safe workplace environment along with maintaining the safety remediation requirements. There was also a Safety Training Program initiative where 1.4 million workers in Accord-covered factories were educated and informed about proper workplace safety and evacuation drills, along with the rights that they had under the Accord. Anything that was not effectively handled at the factory level, such as individual worker complaints, were processed through Safety and Health Complaints Mechanism, which allowed them to remedy these concerns. By the end of the 2013 Accord, 200 worker complaints had been effectively handed through this program.

Since the expiration of the 2013 accord, there has been a new agreement signed in order to continue the progress that was achieved under the first accord. This new accord, known as the Transition Key Accord has been signed by various global unions and became effective on July 1st, 2018.

As of September 1st 2019, there has been a 90% initial remediation progress rate at Accord-covered factories. 254 factories have completed the initial remediation and there has been >90% initial remediation at 1,120 factories.

2018 Transition Accord
The 2018 Transition Accord was signed in order to fulfill the same purposes as the 2013 Accord as well as maintaining the progress previously made. It is also a legally binding agreement between brands and trade unions and some of the key features include brand commitment to ensure safety remediation is completed and financially feasible, independent safety inspections and remediation program. There will also be disclosure of inspection reports and corrective action plans. Other key features of the accord include: a Safety Committee and Training Program, Safety and Health Complaints Mechanism, protection of right to refuse unsafe work, along with the transition of the Accord functions to a larger national safety monitoring body.

The Accord is governed by a Steering Committee that consists of representatives from the signatory companies and trade unions along with a neutral chair from the International Labor Organization (ILO).

List of members:
 * Alke Boessgier; Alternate, UNI Global Union
 * Amirul Haque Amin; Alternate, National Garment Workers Association
 * Bernardo Cruza; Alternate, El Corte Ingles
 * Bob Chant; Board, Loblaw,
 * Christina Hajagos-Clausen; Alternate, IndustriALL Global Union
 * Dan Rees; ILO
 * Edward Davis Southall; Board, LC Waikiki
 * Ineke Zeldenrust; Witness signatory, Clean Clothes Campaign
 * Jenny Holdcroft; Board, IndustriALL Global Union
 * Jochen Jutte-Overmeyer; Alternate, Otto Group
 * Kamrul Anam; Alternate, IndustriAll Bangladesh Council and the Bangladesh Textile and Garments Workers League
 * Mathias Bolton; Uni Global Union
 * Roger Hubert; Alternate, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M)
 * Santiago Martinez Lage; Board, Inditex
 * Scott Nova; Witness signatory, Workers Rights Consortium

One of the key features of the 2018 Accord is that it is has pledged to hand over its functions to the Bangladesh Remediation and Coordination Cell (RCC) which will be regulated and run by the national government. The 2018 Accord serves the purpose of supporting this organization until it has been developed enough to fully take over the Accord functions.

The transition has started gradually, with the RCC taking on some of the inspection and remediation duties at factories.

History of the Accord
Prior to the creation of the Accord in 2013, the Bangladesh garment industry had a number of fires and building collapses within the district. In February of 2010, a fire in the Garib & Garib Sweater Factory took the lives of 21, while another fire killed 29 more at the “That’s It Sportswear” factory in December of the same year. WIth deaths and buildings collapsing, NGOs in Bangladesh began attempting to work with the major companies involved to approach health and safety concerns within factories. One result of these meetings was the first draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), intended to prevent these tragedies. Companies such as Gap, PVH Corp., and Tchibo were encouraged to sign the MoU, with Gap becoming unwilling and continuing to employ the same methods of self-checking that had been used prior to the draft of the MoU. Both PVH Corp. and Tchibo signed MoUs with labor rights organizations in 2012 with similar terms to the Bangladesh Accord.

Later that same month, a fire at the Tazreen garment factory took the lives of 112 people, with the factory owners facing homicide charges. Following this devastating event, a new proposal was drawn up calling for: “Better regulation and stronger enforcement, Investment in safer facilities and infrastructure, Closure of unsafe premises, Engagement of workers and their representatives in promoting safe working practices with management and reporting of issues to competent authorities, Effective training and emergency preparedness of all staff, Assessment of buyers’ responsibilities and necessary improvement of practices.” Working with the Clean Clothes Corporation, Worker Rights Consortium, International Labor Rights Forum, and the Maquila Solidarity Network, the GIZ agency and IndustriALL (a global union federation) began forming a program that needed to meet the needs of trade union and NGO representatives. The main objectives of this program were a foundation for the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, specifically focusing on fire safety following the Rhana Plaza factory collapse. Based on the previously submitted proposals for safety, the Accord was issued on May 5th, 2013 and an official announcement of intention to sign was given by H&M on May 13th, 2013. H&M signing of the Accord was a key step in encouraging other companies to declare their intent to sign as well.