The LABS Initiative is a collaborative, industry-driven programme that aims to elevate life and building safety standards in the apparel, footwear, accessories and home-textile industries. It focuses on creating safer working conditions for factory workers while also mitigating preventable safety risks such as fires, electrical hazards, and structural issues.

Pramit Chanda, the Global Director for Textiles and Manufacturing at IDH, emphasised the commitment to creating a lasting positive impact on workers’ lives and fostering a culture of safety within industries. While celebrating this achievement, IDH looks forward to expanding the reach of the LABS initiative to make an even greater impact in the future.

LABS is a comprehensive effort involving various stakeholders, including brands including Gap Inc., Target, VF Corporation, and Walmart, along with government agencies and non-profit organizations. The programme assesses factories, monitors safety risks, and provides frameworks for mitigation and remediation. Since its launch in 2019, LABS has made significant progress in conducting over 465 assessments in factories and achieving a 77 per cent remediation rate.

LABS also offers capacity-building support through training programmes and technical assistance to enhance stakeholders’ knowledge and skills in life and building safety. So far, the initiative has conducted over 849 safety training sessions.

Overall, the Life and Building Safety Initiative promotes accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the industry. It has made significant strides in creating safer workplaces and fostering responsible practices. IDH remains dedicated to this mission, aiming to drive transformative change in the industry as it continues to move forward with the programme.

Note: The content of this press release has not been edited by Fibre2Fashion staff.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)