MIGROS ECO Program
The Migros ECO program is a role model started 1996 proving the successful implementation of a preventive chemical management approach in the entire supply chain of textile and apparel products.
1. Training and Advisory Services for Tanneries: The project applies a market systems development approach for training and advisory services in order to improve the OHS compliance in tanneries in selected regions of Bangladesh. The approach aligns training and advisory services to incentives and capacity aiming at accelerating OHS in the tanning sector. It builds local capacity of training and advisory services providers, promotes local ownership, and catalyses market-forces that can promote long-term economic development. Factual improvement in OHS practices in tanneries and the motivation of tanneries to invest in OHS will be the result of combining OHS demand development, training, and advisory services.
2. University Training in OHS in Leather Production: The project improves university education on OHS in leather production in order to strengthen the institutional framework conditions for an improved compliance with OHS in tanneries. Relevant curricula are integrated, or existing curricula are revised on an academic level taking into consideration international standards. Concepts for adult training methods and ToT workshops for the OHS curriculum are developed and implemented. The dialogue enables trust-building, bridging gaps and providing the basis for a joint problem analysis and the identification of concrete activities contributing to improved occupational OHS conditions in the tannery sector.
Good Working Conditions in Tanneries, Bangladesh
In this context the German BMZ-funded GIZ-Programme “Good Working Conditions in Tanneries” strengthens the framework conditions for occupational health and safety (OHS), including chemical safety, in tanneries. It promotes the cooperation of public and private actors by strengthening capacities in the inspection system on the one hand. On the other hand it supports intermediary organisations in the education and training sector striving at improving competences in tanneries with regard to national and international guidelines on OHS. The political partner is the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
GSM together with its strategic partner ICON is implementing two components within the framework of this programme.
For ten years we monitored the social compliance of suppliers worldwide from the food, agriculture and non-food sector on behalf of a major retailer in Japan and achieved significant improvements. The overall objective was the supplier development to achieve conformity with the individual Code of Conduct based on ILO principles. The monitoring process modules were online-pre-assessment, on-site audits and accompanying post audit measures.
Code of Conduct Monitoring
Monitoring of producers worldwide from the food, agriculture and non-food sector on behalf of a major retailer in Japan. Significant improvements achieved in Code of Conduct compliance.
Partnership for Sustainable Textiles
Natural Sustainable Fibers
Consulting on sustainable cotton and wool in cooperation with ICON Institute GmbH. Elaboration of fact sheets for hot spots in cotton crop and animal welfare, supporting tools for the review process and workshop moderation.
Supply Chain Transparency
Consultant to the partnership secretariat. Provided professional input on the operational and strategical level. Besides other consultancy tasks, this included the development of supporting tools for members, such as a handbook on supply chain transparency as well as conducting a workshop for members.
PPP Project Bangladesh Chemical Management
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project of gsm GmbH in cooperation with Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG) to improve sustainable production and implement chemical management systems in Bangladesh.
Project Achievements
Ahead of the Greenpeace Detox Campaign and before the majority of the brands and retailers identified the use of hazardous substances in its supply chains as a major and significant environmental and social issue, gsm started a PPP-Project in Bangladesh to tackle these challenges. In cooperation with the Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), gsm initiated in 2012 the almost three-year project. The project aimed at sustainable production and the implementation of chemical management systems in selected textile pilot companies in and around Dhaka. The project focus was on wet processing units, where the majority of chemicals are used and where the environmental impact is significant. 14 dyeing, printing and washing mills decided to participate and to break new ground.
It was a rocky road to success. Parallel trainers from BCAS (Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies) were trained on the job and in ToT-lessons to guide the factories and provide local support. As supporting tool a software application was developed to help the factories with their inventory management and documentation of diverse requirements from their buyers.
At the starting point the participating companies needed to be convinced about the benefits of such a system in relation to the financial and labour investments. The individual status of each company was assessed and necessary actions derived and accompanied. The workers, the mid and the high management level were educated and trained. Processes had to be adapted or newly established. But the efforts have paid off at the end of the project. Significant improvements have been made, awareness in the participating companies and in the industry has been raised through the integration of business associations, such as the BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturing Association). The participating companies made significant progress concerning clean production and the substitution of hazardous chemicals and until today, they still benefit from the improvements they have made.
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