International RBC Agreements

Agreements promoting international Responsible Business Conduct (international RBC) involve partnerships between businesses, government, unions and NGOs. Together, these partners work to prevent such abuses as exploitation, animal suffering and environmental damage.

Cotton pickers in action. Illustration for the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile.

Why conclude IRBC agreements?

International business dealings may involve complex problems such as environmental pollution and child labour. By concluding agreements, businesses work with other stakeholders to tackle these problems.

Background

In 2014, the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER) recommended concluding multistakeholder agreements in each relevant sector. By cooperating, stakeholders can concentrate their efforts to combat abuses.

Man working at his sawing machines. Illustration for the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile.

Agreements overview

There are IRBC agreements in the garments and textile, banking, and gold sectors. Other agreements are being negotiated.

State of play

Brief overview of the state of play with all IRBC agreements.

Agreements

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agreements

News

Women working behind their sewing machines in a large factory.

22 June 2021

Dutch Agreement for sustainable Garments and Textile, German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles and Fair Wear Foundation join hands on access to remedy

The Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile, the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (PST) and the Fair Wear Foundation join hands in improving access to remedy for workers in a number of garment factories in India and Vietnam. This means that participating brands will make it easier for workers in garment factories to file their complaints.

A Bangladeshi worker carries Garments fabric after dries them under the sun at Narayanganj, near Dhaka, Bangladesh

21 June 2021

Sustainable Garments and Textile Agreement achieves results in responsible business conduct during corona pandemic

The annual report of the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile shows that visible steps forward have been taken, despite the corona pandemic. For example, the percentage of participating companies that meet the Agreement’s requirements rose from 63 to 80 percent.

17 June 2021

Agreement parties stand up for children's rights in Turkey

Under the Dutch Agreement for Sustainable Garments and Textile, UNICEF started a collective project with clothing companies America Today, Company Fits and Zeeman to protect the rights of children in their Turkish supply chains.

News overview