From the Sector

Textile Exchange has published new guidance setting out the next requirements for brands and retailers in its Action Cohort. From 2027, participating companies will be required to report material sourcing volumes through the Materials Benchmark and set measurable targets for the share of materials sourced through standards, certification or other programs that verify preferred production practices.

The targets should cover relevant key materials accounting for at least 80% of a company’s material portfolio. Textile Exchange identifies common intervention areas including pesticide and fertilizer reduction, deforestation and conversion, animal welfare, recycled feedstocks with a focus on textile inputs, and human-rights due diligence.

Aggregate cohort results will be made public, while more detailed results will be shared with participating brands. The framework therefore tightens the connection between voluntary membership, quantitative materials data and verifiable sourcing objectives, increasing the need for brands and suppliers to document material strategies with comparable evidence.