Promoting consumer access to sustainability information in textiles

The project seeks to contribute to the fulfillment of the following long-term objectives, consistent with the HEJSupport mission aimed at achieving a healthy environment and environmental justice for vulnerable groups like women, children, marginalized communities, workers and others who have difficulties defending themselves and are therefore in need of special attention. 1. Promote the full disclosure of product sustainability information to encourage more sustainable consumption patterns via the choice, usage and disposal of consumer textiles. 2. Support the development and implementation of pertinent policies and regulations that will promote public access to products sustainability information. The project contributes to the German National Programme on Sustainable Consumption and Production, its five key ideas, and especially to the following topics. • Strengthening and expanding system for communicating product information in the supply chain • Harmonizing criteria for international labelling systems for relevant product groups • Developing guidelines for quality standards for sustainability-related product information in the international context • Providing information for consumers on the various additional aspects of functional textiles (for example impact on the environment and health) and on possible alternatives and/ or new environmentally and health-friendly innovations. The proposed project will contribute to the disclosure of product sustainability information. It includes: • Raising consumer awareness on textile products health and environmental effects, on more sustainable and toxic free options of textile products that are available on the market; • Compiling information about the availability of consumer information (e.g. from labels, product information, standardization organisations) and addressing existing gaps, undertaking a "road test" of the UNEP & ITC Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information, and publishing the results in a report; • Developing communication tools about gaps and potential solutions targeting producers and legislators and delivering to the recipients via social media platforms and direct communication. • Building an NGO expert group to contribute to policy processes, as well as improve information exchange among stakeholders. Between June 2015 and March 2017, the working group set up in the frame of the UN 10 Year Framework of Sustainable Consumption and Production (10 YFP SCP) and comprised of experts and key stakeholders from all regions developed the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information. The Guidelines aims to provide value chain and public sector professionals with clear guidance on how to make effective, trustworthy claims to consumers, on product-related sustainability information. Being among the most polluting industries, the textile industry has to explore ways of becoming sustainable to minimize resource use and pollution, improve the safety of workers, eliminate sexual abuse, and ensure the right of consumers to make an informed choice. The future of sustainable textile largely depends on its ability to reduce the use of resources, such as land, water and oil, to ban hazardous chemicals, and ensure reuse and recycle of products to minimize waste. In addition, there are other aspects of sustainability that textile industry should focus on, including protection of the environment and human health, occupational safety, gender equity and women’s empowerment, as well as meeting the demand of consumers for eco-friendly textile products. Using the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information, the proposed project touches upon non-sustainable character of textile industry with the aim to suggest recommendations to address associated environmental, health and social problems and make consumers a driving force able to shape the future of sustainable textile. NGO experts are welcome to contact me to set up an expert group to contribute to policy processes, as well as improve information exchange on sustainability in textile industry among stakeholders. We welcome feedback about consumer's experience of obtaining information on textile product sustainability in different countries and regions. Answers to the following questions might be considered: • Do you check the labels on your clothing? (Where it is made, what it is made of, etc.) Potential answers: Always, Never, Sometimes • Are you aware of any adverse health impacts caused by synthetic fibres in clothing? Potential answers: No, Yes (Please Specify) • How interested are you in better understanding the sustainability of the clothing you buy? (0-5, 0 being not at all, 3 being neutral, 5 being very interested) • What information would you like to be provided with when you purchase your clothing? Potential answers: Country of production, chemical content (materials used), means of disposal (recycling, etc.), environmental impacts, associated health impacts (for consumers...A.K.A YOU), who made the article/their working conditions, none of the above and other (please specify). • How would you prefer to be provided with information about your clothing? Check all that apply. Potential answers: the label, in stores (through signs), store websites, television (campaigns, documentaries, commercials, etc.), none of the above, I do not care, other (please specify). • Do you think that there are better alternative clothing materials? (E.g., cotton, hemp, silk, etc.) Please consider this in terms of human and environmental impact. If your answer is yes, please specify which alternative you believe is the best. Potential answers: No, not sure, yes (please specify/provide an example). • How likely are you to buy clothing made of more sustainably-sourced and sustainable materials (e.g., wool, hemp, silk, etc.) which are more expensive and less available, if you were aware of the considerable health and environmental impacts of synthetics? (0-5, 0 being not at all, 3 being neutral, 5 being very likely).