Manufacturers and sector specialists advocate for a more collaborative, impact-focused approach to due diligence in the apparel industry amid evolving regulations, emphasising transparency, standards harmonisation, and worker participation at the OECD Forum in Paris.
Fashion manufacturers urged greater leadership and collaboration in shaping due diligence approaches at a partner-led session held during the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector in Paris on 11 February 2026.
Co-hosted by Fashion Producer Collective, Shahi Exports and MAS Holdings, the side event brought together manufacturer representatives and sector specialists to argue that suppliers should be recognised as active problem-solvers rather than merely subjects of compliance checks. The session, moderated by Kim van der Weerd, Co‑Founder and CEO of Fashion Producer Collective, featured panellists including Anett Sóti of Fashion Producer Collective, Chitra Prasad, Head of Social Sustainability at Shahi Exports, and Dhanujie Jayapala, General Manager of Environmental Sustainability at MAS Holdings. According to Apparel Views, the discussion examined how manufacturers can help design trust-based, system-level due diligence across global apparel chains.
Speakers warned that a transitionary regulatory environment is creating uncertainty for suppliers. They noted that emerging laws such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive are already influencing investment choices, partnership models and accountability expectations, and that suppliers face practical difficulties interpreting overlapping voluntary guidance and legal requirements. The OECD’s event materials highlight the forum’s broader aim of aligning governments, business, trade unions and civil society around expectations for responsible supply chains.
A central theme was the need to move due diligence from a reporting-centred exercise to one focused on measurable impact at factory level. Panellists and participants called for harmonisation of standards to reduce duplicated audits, greater recognition of credible manufacturer systems, and more investment in scalable grievance mechanisms as a direct way to protect worker wellbeing. The session emphasised the role of responsible transparency, traceability and digitised data to anticipate risks and respond more effectively to workers’ needs.
Audience contributions underlined practical reforms that would help rebalance buyer–supplier relationships: lowering the administrative burden of audits, expanding worker participation in grievance and remediation processes, and fostering longer-term commercial arrangements that support shared accountability and innovation. Organisers said these proposals point to a next phase of due diligence built on collaboration across brands, suppliers and worker representatives.
The partner organisations framed the event as part of their wider commitment to system-level solutions for sustainability in apparel production. The OECD’s forum programme for 11–12 February 2026 brought together governments, businesses, trade unions, civil society, international organisations and academics to address these themes, including supply‑chain shocks, e-commerce and climate adaptation, and to advance implementation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. Industry participants at the session stressed that progress will depend on policy clarity, mutual recognition of effective practices and sustained investment in factory-level capacity.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
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Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on 5 March 2026, detailing a session at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector held on 11 February 2026. The OECD Forum took place on 11-12 February 2026, with virtual side sessions on 9, 10, and 13 February 2026. ([oecd.org](https://www.oecd.org/en/events/2026/02/2026-oecd-forum-on-due-diligence-in-the-garment-and-footwear-sector.html?utm_source=openai)) The article provides specific details about the session, including the date, location, and participants, indicating it is based on recent events. However, the article's publication date is over three weeks after the event, which may raise concerns about the timeliness of the reporting. Additionally, the article is sourced from Apparel Views, a publication that may not be widely known, which could affect the perceived freshness and reach of the information.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from panellists such as Anett Sóti, Chitra Prasad, and Dhanujie Jayapala. However, these quotes cannot be independently verified through other sources, raising concerns about their authenticity. The lack of verifiable sources for these quotes diminishes the credibility of the reporting.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article is sourced from Apparel Views, a publication that may not be widely known. This raises concerns about the independence and reliability of the source, as it may not have the same editorial standards as more established news organisations. Additionally, the article's publication date is over three weeks after the event, which may affect the perceived timeliness and relevance of the information.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article discusses a session at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector, which is a real event that took place on 11-12 February 2026. The session focused on the role of manufacturers in due diligence, aligning with the forum's agenda. However, the lack of independently verifiable quotes and the publication date over three weeks after the event raise concerns about the accuracy and timeliness of the reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article provides details about a session at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector, including specific dates, locations, and participants. However, the publication date over three weeks after the event, reliance on a less widely known source, and the lack of independently verifiable quotes raise concerns about the timeliness, reliability, and credibility of the reporting. These issues suggest that the article may not meet the necessary standards for publication.
