In a milestone development, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) have announced a deepened strategic collaboration as SLCP has completed its separation from SAC and transitioned into an independent non-profit foundation.
Recognising the importance of industry convergence, the organisations will work together to expand the reach of the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) into adjacent product categories and industries.
This joint effort aims to streamline assessments, reduce duplication, and foster harmonisation in social and labour tools across sectors. Moreover, SAC and SLCP will synergise their efforts to accelerate insights based on CAF/ Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM) data. This collaboration extends to the production of aggregated industry reports, providing stakeholders with comprehensive and actionable information.
In September 2023, SLCP signatories voted in favour of SLCP’s five-year Strategy, which included the plan to transition to an independent organisation. That same month, the SAC Board also approved the plans for separation. SLCP officially separated from SAC on February 1, 2024. Its new legal entity is a Dutch non-profit foundation known as a ‘Stichting’, SAC said in a press release.
“As both organisations navigate this exciting new phase, our commitment to shared goals and values is greater than ever and propels us toward catalysing collective action at scale,” said Andrew Martin, executive vice president at SAC. “Leaders stand out by their ethics, integrity, accountability, and responsibility. It is no longer enough to deliver value to shareholders without lasting positive human impact and societal change. We believe our collaborative efforts will continue to uphold safe, respectful working conditions and establish new benchmarks for sustainability and social responsibility.”
“We are excited to be moving forward with the next stage of SLCP’s evolution, building on the strong foundation and the impact we have already achieved with SAC, our signatories, and partners,” said Janet Mensink, chief executive officer at SLCP. “Our collaboration with SAC is a testament to the power of industry-wide cooperation. Through the adoption of the CAF and the Higg FSLM, we are able to create a more streamlined approach to social compliance assessments and reallocate resources to fulfil our shared ambition of improving working conditions. We are grateful to everyone who has helped and supported us to get to this point, and I look forward to continuing and deepening our relationship with SAC to drive even greater impact.”
Since its inception in 2015 by the SAC, the SLCP has made significant strides towards reducing audit fatigue and enhancing working conditions within the apparel industry. Over the span of eight years, SLCP has witnessed growth, attracting more than 250 signatories and rolling out the CAF across more than 60 countries.
Among SLCP’s key accomplishments, over 11,000 facilities worldwide have completed SLCP-verified assessments, demonstrating the framework’s widespread adoption across various sectors. This initiative has also led to substantial financial benefits, unlocking an estimated $23 million annually by minimising the need for duplicative audits. Furthermore, the public endorsement of SLCP data by over 70 leading brands and organisations highlights the significant impact and collective success of these collaborative efforts in driving positive change within the global apparel sector.
Both SAC and SLCP reaffirm their commitment to a closely-knit strategic collaboration, aligning their tools and strategies for a shared vision of improved global working conditions. The SAC is steadfast in supporting and incorporating the CAF as the preferred social compliance assessment framework for its Higg FSLM tool.
“SLCP has just completed its first five years as a live programme,” said Jonathan Obermeister, SLCP’s independent chair. “During that time, we have demonstrated the value we can bring, built critical mass and achieved financial self-sufficiency. We’re now ready to take the next step as a fully independent organisation, with ambitious plans for growth while maintaining the multi-stakeholder ethos which has been such an important factor in our success so far. The new foundation board has total confidence in SLCP’s future and high-performing team, and we are excited about what we can accomplish together in the years ahead.”
“Together, SAC and SLCP will continue to call for harmonised assessment frameworks and increased adoption, fostering a culture of responsibility and accountability within the industry,” said Tamar Hoek, SAC board chair. “This collaboration is a testament to what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared vision for a better, more sustainable future.”
