Transformers annual report 2024

New York, US – 11 November, 2024 – Transformers Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its latest report, Collective Action Reimagined: A Call for Fair Process and Supplier Inclusion in Fashion’s Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives (MSIs). This report explores the systemic barriers preventing meaningful supplier engagement in some of the industry's most influential MSIs, including Cascale (formerly SAC), Textile Exchange, SLCP, and ZDHC.

Through a series of interviews with key informants within the fashion supply chain who have in-depth first-hand experience and close knowledge of MSI supplier engagement, the report uncovers how rules, governance, and processes often perpetuate supplier exclusion. The findings reveal that these organizations, though well-intentioned, often reinforce systemic barriers that limit supplier participation, leading to a cycle of distrust, disengagement, and ineffective sustainability strategies.

Despite these challenges, the report presents an optimistic future by advocating for the adoption of a Fair Process model. This framework, based on non-biased decision-making, equitable engagement, and transparency, aims to transform MSIs into true platforms for collective action. Key Findings from the report include:

• Supplier Exclusion is prominent. Few suppliers are engaged in MSIs due to systemic barriers, reinforced by MSI rules and governance, leading to distrust and disengagement.
• There is an Opportunity for Change. With growing industry recognition of the importance of supplier voices, there is momentum for transforming MSIs into genuine platforms for collaboration.
• The Way Forward is the Fair Process Model. The report advocates non-biased decision-making, equitable engagement, and transparency to make MSIs more inclusive and effective in driving meaningful sustainability efforts across the fashion industry.

To mark the launch of this groundbreaking report, Transformers Foundation will host a webinar on November 14th at 10am ET/4pm CET, providing a platform to dive deeper into the report's findings and discuss actionable solutions for making MSIs more inclusive.

About Transformers Foundation:
Transformers Foundation is the unified voice representing the denim industry and its ideas for positive change. It was founded to provide a thus-far missing platform to the jeans and denim supply chain, and a central point of contact for consumers, brands, NGOs, and media who want to learn more about ethics and sustainable innovation in the industry. We represent the denim supply chain: from farmers and chemical suppliers to denim mills and jeans factories.