LONDON - The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is urging brands and retailers to take extra steps to ensure that their supply chains are not linked in any way with the Xinjiang region of China.
It comes as fashion companies are under severe pressure from the Chinese government and consumers over their stance on the alleged use of forced labour by Uyghur Muslim prisoners in the production of Xinjiang cotton.
The ETI says that reported constraints on the ability of independent auditors to freely access the region present significant challenges to companies' ability to conduct meaningful human rights due diligence on this issue.
