User:Ocp26/Sustainable fashion

Transparency[edit]
Supply chain transparency has been a recurring controversy for the fashion industry, not least since the Rana Plaza accident. The issue has been pushed by many labor organizations, not least Clean Clothes Campaign and Fashion Revolution. Over the last years, over 150 major brands including Everlane, Filippa K, and H&M have answered by publicizing information about their factories online. Every year, Fashion Revolution publishes a Fashion Transparency Index  which rates the world's largest brands and retailers according to how much information they disclose about their suppliers, supply chain policies and practices, and social and environmental impact. The top scorers of the 2019 Fashion Transparency Index included Adidas, Reebok, Patagonia, and H&M. The high place of several fast fashion retailers caused controversy regarding the parameters used for such rankings.

However, the focus on transparency and traceability has so far not shown the promise expected. Even if a consumer can find information on the clothing label, such as the address of the factory and how many people work there, it says nothing about the salaries and living conditions of the workers, the factory's subcontracting practices, or the environmental impact of sourcing and production. The focus on transparency has so far not bridged information with systemic action and impact. While the agenda of transparency is honorable and important, it is toothless if not paired with real improvements, policy change, and legal action which holds corporations and factories responsible for misconduct. Cultural critics like Byung-Chul Han, have remarked that the cult of transparency risks fueling consumption and social stress, instead of promoting the desired accountability of brands and power-brokers.

When a company is fully transparent, consumers are able to identify where the product was made, who made it, what the workers were paid, and what materials were used. Details about how the clothing was manufactured helps make companies responsible for their supply chain. A brands transparency can also be relayed using their website. Many brands create a tab on their website that discusses their manufacturing process and how they their employees are treated. One thing consumers need to be careful of is Greenwashing.