#Sustainability

2025-05-08

Timely report highlights regional trends ahead of Cascale Forum in Vietnam

Cascale, the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry, and Worldly, the leading supply chain sustainability data insights platform, today released a new policy deep dive: Navigating Regulation and Building Resilience: Key Trends in Corporate Supply Chain Responsibility for APAC in 2025.

This report examines the growing trend of climate- and supply chain-related regulations across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and their implications for global brands, manufacturers, and suppliers. Released ahead of the Cascale Forum: Ho Chi Minh City, taking place on May 14–15, the analysis provides key insights that can inform conversations on regulatory readiness, facility-level data, and regional leadership.

The urgency of these shifts is underscored by the region’s exposure to climate risk,” said Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director of policy and public affairs at Cascale. “The APAC region is home to the majority of the world’s 100 most environmentally at-risk cities. Our industry has a responsibility—and an opportunity—to lead in shaping more resilient, transparent supply chains. This deep dive is designed to equip our members with the foresight to do exactly that.”

In addition to spotlighting major national and international regulatory developments, the deep dive outlines clear recommendations for companies, including how to invest in localized data systems, set science-based targets, and build stronger brand-manufacturer partnerships.

As part of its expanded focus on the APAC region, Cascale plans to launch a new APAC Policy Member Expert Team (MET) in 2025, which will advise on regulatory priorities and help shape the organization’s advocacy efforts across the region. Cascale also continues to work closely with local industry associations such as VITAS and BGMEA to support members in navigating compliance and aligning with policy momentum.

“We’re committed to amplifying local voices and building policy alignment from the ground up,” said Howard Kwong, senior manager of public affairs, APAC at Cascale. “This deep dive is part of a broader effort to equip our members in and sourcing from the APAC region with the insight, partnerships, and tools needed to lead in a shifting global landscape.”

Tools such as the Higg Index continue to play a critical role in enabling companies to meet emerging regulatory and buyer expectations, offering standardized, facility-level data on environmental and social performance.

“To build resilient, future-ready businesses, companies must look beyond compliance and deeply understand the policy shifts unfolding across the Asia-Pacific region,” said JR Siegel, vice president, sustainability at Worldly. “As APAC governments move from voluntary guidance to mandatory regulation, the leading companies of tomorrow will be the ones that invest in transparency, climate adaptation, and clean energy today. This paper is a call to action for businesses to treat these policy changes as an opportunity to shape the future of responsible commerce.”

This publication builds on previous Cascale and Worldly policy deep dives, including reports on the EU’s CS3D and IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. It reflects the organizations’ ongoing commitment to delivering expert insight, regional engagement, and practical support to help the consumer goods industry meet its sustainability and compliance goals.

Download the full report

Get expert analysis, regional insights, and strategic recommendations to help your company meet evolving expectations and build resilience in the world’s most dynamic manufacturing region.

https://cascale.org/resources/publications/policy-deep-dive-navigating-regulation-and-building-resilience-key-trends-in-corporate-supply-chain-responsibility-for-apac-in-2025/

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.

Experts publish APAC policy priorities

Cascale today announced the publication of its APAC Policy Priorities Paper, developed by the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Policy Member Expert Team (MET) to identify key regional sustainability challenges and provide practical, aligned recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders across Asia-Pacific.

Cascale Forum: Colombo convenes 500+ manufacturers brands, and stakeholders to advance capacity building and collaboration across the consumer goods industry

Cascale today announced program details for Cascale Forum: Colombo, taking place March 30–April 1, 2026 in Sri Lanka. Building on the success of the 2025 Forum in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, this gathering will convene manufacturers, brands, retailers, NGOs, policymakers, and solution providers under the theme “Action by Design: Accelerating a Fairer, More Resilient Value Chain.”

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

Aid by Trade Foundation presents annual report for 2025: Market position and impact of sustainably verified natural fibres strengthened

Despite global supply chain challenges, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was able to further expand its international role in promoting sustainably verified natural fibres in 2025. In doing so, the foundation remains true to its fundamental approach of leveraging market forces. Last year, it generated total revenues of EUR 7.8 million; this included EUR 6.7 million collected through the successful marketing of four standards: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), CmiA Organic, The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), and the Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS). AbTF invested the resulting income in projects aiming to protect biodiversity, support women, increase transparency in the textile supply chain, and implement its verification system.

Textile Exchange reports growth in certifications and industry engagement

Textile Exchange has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting continued growth in certified sites, industry participation and the development of its standards and membership structure. According to the report, more than 100,000 sites worldwide are now certified to Textile Exchange standards, more than three times the number recorded in 2020. Preliminary figures also indicate 12% year-on-year growth across the organization's current standards, including the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and the Responsible Animal Fiber standards.

Première Vision Paris expands innovation focus across fashion and beauty

From September 1–3, 2026, Première Vision Paris will bring together more than 900 exhibitors from across the global fashion value chain. This year's edition places a strong emphasis on Innovation-Tech, highlighting technologies and materials that are reshaping product development, manufacturing and sustainability.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).