The Singapore Fashion Council (SFC) has launched the industry-first Sustainability Readiness Intelligence (SRI) tool on Oct 1 to help brands and manufacturers maintain and expand access to the global textiles and clothing export market.
In particular, the tool aims to help businesses protect their access to the US and EU markets, which are being reshaped by new regulations pertaining to ESG. According to sourcing platform Source Ready, the two markets are worth a combined US$780 ($999) billion in 2026, with the US importing around US$77.6 billion worth of apparel in 2025 and EU imports totalling around EUR180.5 ($258) billion in 2024,
For context, US states such as California are mandating Scope 3 disclosures for companies with more than US$1 billion in revenue from 2027, while brands operating in the EU will be subject to stricter supply chain due diligence obligations starting 2028.
Without robust data around reporting, traceability and documented sustainability practices, Asean manufacturers and brands face an immediate threat to their bottom line — losing preferred supplier status or getting locked out of future sourcing opportunities in the global market.
“Businesses across fashion and retail are navigating massive changes, including rising costs, global uncertainty, tariffs and rapid technological changes, even as consumers and markets expect more sustainable practices,” says Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Energy, Trade and Industry.
Gan, who was speaking at the SFC’s Be The Change Summit 2026, adds that companies that adapt early can become more “competitive” and “resilient” while unlocking new markets and business opportunities.
The new tool will help Asean suppliers navigate the afore-mentioned evolving regulations. It uses an assessment framework to evaluate manufacturers’ readiness and sustainability maturity across five key dimensions: governance \and strategy, environment and operations, responsible supply chain, circularity and design, and market readiness.
In addition, the SRI offers customised recommendations for businesses according to their respective level of sustainability maturity, while considering broader industry trends and insights.
The assessment comprises more than 50 questions and produces a personalised business scorecard that helps to pinpoint key strengths and gaps against relevant market standards. It also generates a timed action roadmap, including applicable certifications and resources, for businesses.
Drawing directly from SFC’s new sectoral plan which was launched in tandem, the SRI serves as a practical guide that simplifies and brings together the most effective sustainability tools, frameworks and resources for fashion players in Singapore and Asean. The plan also complements the SRI by keeping businesses up-to-date on action they can take to enhance sustainability, notes the SFC.
“As global regulations raise the bar for compliance, the SRI tool helps to empower ASEAN businesses to meet stricter global ESG standards to maintain global export market access,” says SFC CEO Zhang Ting-Ting.
Zhang adds that the launch of the sectoral plan marks a “critical step” to future-proof the industry. “The implementation of SRI democratises opportunities for regional brands to capitalise on this sustainability-led momentum,” she remarks. “But more importantly, this will allow Asia to claim its seat at the global table and lead the fashion industry toward a more responsible model of growth.”
Both the sectoral plan and SRI are informed by an assessment report commissioned by SFC with research agency South Pole. Identifying sustainability gaps and opportunities across the Singapore and Asean fashion ecosystem, the report highlights how Singapore and its enterprises can leverage its strengths to drive regional collaboration, innovation, and scalable solutions.
“What Singapore lacks in fashion material production, we make up for in our role as a coordinator for design, logistics and sourcing,” says Zhang. “With many of the fashion brands’ Asian headquarters located here in Singapore, we are a vital nerve centre enabling us to amplify impact by facilitating stronger sustainable decisions and benchmarks across the whole value chain.”
