Initiatives and Working Groups
Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives >
Relevant Memberships and Working Groups >
Since the development and implementation of our responsible sourcing program in 1991, we have come to appreciate the value in working with a variety of stakeholders to improve working conditions in the factories that make our products and the communities in which those facilities are located.
Working with other companies and key stakeholder groups such as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), local governments and trade unions, we have been able to gain valuable insights into the impact of our work and how we can improve on it. And we strongly believe that working with outside entities enables us to maximize the positive effects of our work as we navigate the many and complex issues associated with responsible global sourcing.
Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives:
Better Factories Cambodia — A program of the International Labor Organization, Better Factories Cambodia is an apparel factory monitoring project in Cambodia that works to improve working conditions in that country by establishing and operating an independent system to monitor working conditions in factories; providing assistance in the development of local law and policy; raising awareness of workers’ rights issues broadly; and building capacity among employers, workers’ organizations, and government officials.
Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA) Forum — A project of AccountAbility and other multi-stakeholder organizations, the MFA Forum is made up of corporations, government representatives, trade unions, NGOs and other interested institutions. The MFA forum came together in March 2004 to explore the potential for collaborative and coordinated actions in the run-up to and after the end of quotas under the MFA. Goals of the Forum are to share and further the understanding of the post-MFA impacts on apparel-manufacturing countries and to identify possible courses of action to mitigate any negative social consequences.
United Nations Global Compact: The UN Global Compact brings private sector companies from around the world together with UN agencies, international labor and civil society to work toward a more sustainable and inclusive global economy. The Global Compact promotes responsible corporate citizenship and collaboration among diverse stakeholders so that business may be part of the solution to the challenges of globalization.
Apparel Water Quality Working Group — A project of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), this group builds on the accomplishments of LS&CO.’s early and pioneering work in creating and implementing water quality guidelines for effluent from textile mills and laundries. The group provides information to companies interested in developing a program to address wastewater in supplier factories and works on industry collaboration to increase influence with suppliers, standardize requirements and share best practices.
Bulgaria Apparel Project Partnership — This unique multi-stakeholder initiative involves trade unions, suppliers, four brands (including LS&CO.), Bulgarian government institutions and the Balkan Institute for Labor and Social Policy. The goals of the partnership are to encourage constructive dialogue between trade unions, government and industry; build capacity among workers, labor groups, and employers to address issues; and build a better understanding of local labor laws and workplace standards among workers, labor groups, trade unions, and employers.
Relevant Memberships and Working Groups:
Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College
Business for Social Responsibility
Labor Standards Working Group
Apparel Water Quality Working Group
Monitor Standards Working Group
American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)
Social Responsibility Committee
Environmental Task Force
Trade Committee
U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB)
Corporate Responsibility Committee
Environment Committee
Labor and Employment Committee
Trade Committee
Phylmar Regulatory Roundtable (PRR)