After more than a decade, civil society, including HEJSupport, takes stock of the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (PST) and sets clear expectations for its successor, the new “Dialogue and Impact for Sustainable Textiles (DST)” format. HEJSupport served on the PST steering committee for several years, focusing mainly on environmental topics.
The conclusion is sobering: Despite some structural progress, the initiative failed to deliver measurable improvements in key areas such as living wages, workers’ rights, chemicals management, and environmental protection.
A core lesson: Voluntary initiatives reach their limits without binding rules, transparency, and real changes in company practices.
And crucially: Dialogue alone does not improve conditions. Real impact requires companies to take responsibility—by changing purchasing practices, investing in solutions, and ensuring transparency across supply chains.
With the transition to DST, the stakes are high. What is not included anymore:
❌ Binding transparency on supply chains
❌ Measurable targets and progress
❌ Governance securing the participation of rights holders
❌ Adequate, long-term financing of projects
❌ Strong human rights and environmental ambition
Our takeaway: DST will be judged by whether it goes beyond dialogue—and delivers real improvements for workers and the environment in global supply chains.
