#Sustainability

2021-09-23

H&M Group among the most engaged participants of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative

H&M Group was announced as Global Compact LEAD, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the United Nations Global Compact and its Ten Principles for responsible business.

Since 2001, H&M Group is a signatory of the UN Global Compact. UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with 10 universally accepted principles concerning human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. With its participation in UN Global Compact action platforms, H&M Group is working together with other businesses, Global Compact local networks, leading experts, civil society, governments and UN partners, to solve complex and interconnected issues and innovate around the sustainable development goals.

We’re proud that UN Global Compact lists us as one of the 40 global LEAD companies across the world and thereby acknowledges our continuous work for a more sustainable future. While it’s an honour to be the only fashion company on the list, this also encourages us in our ambition to lead our industry by example and inspire more industry players to join forces. This initiative is a great example of how collaboration for responsible business practices and sustainable innovations can contribute to a powerful change that goes way beyond our own organization and industry.

Leyla Ertur, Head of Sustainability at H&M Group

“LEAD companies represent the highest level of engagement with the UN Global Compact. More than ever before, the world needs businesses of all sizes — like the ones announced as LEAD today — that continuously work to improve their sustainability performance and take action to build a better world”, says Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.

To be eligible for LEAD, a company must:

• Be a participant in at least two UN Global Compact Action Platforms and commit to defining and fostering leadership practices in line with the Ten Principles and the Global Goals

• Commit to submitting an Advanced Communication on Progress — an annual sustainability report detailing progress on implementing the Ten Principles.

H&M Group’s Communication on Progress (CoP) and other related information is available in its Participant profile on the UN Global Compact website.

https://www.unglobalcompact.org/

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Updated supply chain taxonomy advances apparel alignment

The apparel alliance (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation) today announced the launch of Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy, an updated harmonized framework designed to improve consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) sectors of the broader apparel industry.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.