ABSTRACT
Textile processing has always been perceived as a hugely polluting industry and a heavy resource-consuming activity in terms of manpower, water, chemicals and energy. Since the past decade, there has been a recognition of the need to incorporate sustainable practices in textile processing to reduce its impact on the environment as well as to ensure worker and consumer safety. A plethora of eco-labels, legislation, industry standards, NGO campaigns and Brand/Retailer requirements have been gaining ground and driving the apparel and textile industry towards more sustainable practices. This chapter gives an overview of the important statutory requirements and voluntary standards and programmes for sustainability in textile production and products.
