Sustainability and transparency are about environmental and social responsibility.This means finding processes and solutions which actively benefit the quality of the environment on a long-term basis. While it is a step in the right direction to reduce the amount of damage we inflict on the environment, it is not enough.To enable the planet to sustain itself, we need to reverse the damage that has already been seen in many parts of the world, often caused by harmful chemicals used in the textile industry.

Some of the practical steps the industry can take include:

• Processing fabrics without the use of hazardous chemicals;
• Using finishes which reduce laundering requirements and increase the life-cycle of the final garment; and
• Following guidelines set out by industry standards and labeling products clearly, enabling informed consumer decisions.