IRBC Agreements

Agreements promoting International Responsible Business Conduct (IRBC agreements) 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

10 June 2021

Working conditions at Chinese dye houses made safer and healthier

Headed by Arcadis, six participating brands of the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile have finished a 2.5 year clothing dye house improvement program in China. The goal of the program was making the dye houses a safer and healthier place to work. By bringing the brands closer to their supply chain, they understand better what challenges the dye houses are facing and how they can collaboratively overcome these challenges.

Women working behind their sewing machines in a large factory.

25 May 2021

Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile makes assessment companies more transparent

The Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile has expanded its assessment framework with a practical explanation of each assessment criterion. It clarifies what is expected of participating garments and textile companies in the field of international responsible business conduct. The framework describes how the annual assessment of companies is conducted.

17 May 2021

Smart-M signs the International RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector

Smart-M, producer of semi-finished products in the metal sector, has signed the International RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector. By signing this agreement, Smart-M commits to taking responsibility for all aspects in its supply chain.

News overview