The Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) has separated from the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and will now work as an independent non-profit foundation.
- In September 2023, SLCP signatories voted in favour of SLCP’s five-year strategy, which included the plan to transition to an independent organisation. That same month, the SAC Board also approved the plans for separation.
- SLCP officially separated from SAC on 1 February 2024. Its new legal entity is a Dutch non-profit foundation known as a “stichting”.
- Both SAC and SLCP have reaffirmed their commitment to a closely-knit strategic collaboration, aligning their tools and strategies for a shared vision of improved global working conditions.
THE EVOLUTION: The SLCP was launched by the SAC in 2015. Since then the SLCP has gathered more than 250 signatories and implemented the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) in over 60 countries. Its major achievements include:
- Over 11,000 facilities have completed an SLCP-verified assessment, across diverse sectors in over 60 countries.
- Adoption of the CAF has unlocked an estimated $23m annually through reduced duplicative audits.
- Public acceptance of SLCP data by over 70 prominent brands and organisations underscores the impact of these collaborative efforts.
THE FUTURE: The SLCP and SAC will work together to expand the reach of the CAF into adjacent product categories and industries. This joint effort aims to streamline assessments, reduce duplication, and foster harmonisation in social and labour tools across sectors.
- The two organisations intend to synergise efforts to accelerate insights based on CAF/Higg FSLM data. This collaboration extends to the production of aggregated industry reports, providing stakeholders with comprehensive and actionable information.
WHAT THEY SAID:
As both organisations navigate this exciting new phase, our commitment to shared goals and values is greater than ever and propels us toward catalysing collective action at scale. Leaders stand out by their ethics, integrity, accountability, and responsibility. It is no longer enough to deliver value to shareholders without lasting positive human impact and societal change. We believe our collaborative efforts will continue to uphold safe, respectful working conditions and establish new benchmarks for sustainability and social responsibility.
— Andrew Martin
Executive Vice-President
Sustainable Apparel Coalition
We are excited to be moving forward with the next stage of SLCP’s evolution, building on the strong foundation and the impact we have already achieved with SAC, our signatories, and partners. Our collaboration with SAC is a testament to the power of industry-wide cooperation. Through the adoption of the CAF and the Higg FSLM, we are able to create a more streamlined approach to social compliance assessments and reallocate resources to fulfill our shared ambition of improving working conditions.
— Janet Mensink
Chief Executive Officer
Social & Labor Convergence Program
SLCP has just completed its first five years as a live programme. During that time, we have demonstrated the value we can bring, built critical mass and achieved financial self-sufficiency. We’re now ready to take the next step as a fully independent organization, with ambitious plans for growth while maintaining the multi-stakeholder ethos which has been such an important factor in our success so far.
— Jonathan Obermeister
Independent Chair
Social & Labor Convergence Program
Together, SAC and SLCP will continue to call for harmonized assessment frameworks and increased adoption, fostering a culture of responsibility and accountability within the industry. This collaboration is a testament to what can be achieved when organizations work together with a shared vision for a better, more sustainable future.
— Tamar Hoek
Board Chair
Sustainable Apparel Coalition
