Organised by Ethical Trading Initiative Bangladesh in collaboration with Bangladesh Labour Foundation, 51 factory representatives from BFLLFEA and BTA affiliated tanneries participated in a focused engagement on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) from 28 to 30 April.
A key priority of this initiative is the development of a sectoral HREDD roadmap, led by factory management and grounded in the operational realities of the tannery sector. The engagement served as an important step in bringing industry actors together to build a shared understanding of risks, responsibilities, and practical pathways for improvement. By aligning perspectives across factories, the process aims to support a more coordinated and consistent approach to human rights and environmental due diligence at sector level.
Discussions covered basic concepts of human rights and environmental responsibilities, along with the principles of HREDD and alignment with the ETI Base Code. Participants explored key elements of due diligence, including risk identification and assessment, as well as approaches to prevention, mitigation, and remediation, with a focus on challenges specific to the tannery sector. The engagement also provided space for participants to reflect on shared constraints, exchange experiences, and consider the roles of businesses, workers, and external stakeholders in promoting responsible practices. These reflections are expected to directly inform the structure and priorities of the sectoral roadmap. Moving forward, the roadmap will serve as a practical, industry-led framework to guide factories in strengthening compliance, improving working conditions, and addressing environmental risks in a more systematic way. It is intended to support gradual but sustained progress, while encouraging greater alignment across the sector in meeting both national expectations and international standards.
