Keeping workers safe during periods of extreme heat

Lessons and recommendations from a study to understand and mitigate extreme heat impacts on workers in apparel production

Organised by Ethical Trading Initiative, Royal Holloway, University of London 

Extreme heat is a human rights risk rapidly increasing in saliency, including for workers in the apparel and footwear industry. In 2025, ETI, Royal Holloway University of London, and one of ETI’s leading apparel brands, collaborated to undertake a heat impact study with workers in a supplier factory in India’s Delhi NCR region. This side-session will share research findings and recommendations, including key heat mitigation actions shown to be effective in keeping workers safe during periods of high temperature and humidity. As extreme heat impacts for workers continue to increase in saliency, and as HRDD expectations are enshrined in national laws, these findings will be increasingly relevant and important for stakeholders across the apparel and footwear industry, including lead firms, suppliers, trade unions and legislators.

ETI’s engagement at the OECD Forum underscores our commitment to advancing responsible supply chains, protecting workers’ rights, and promoting gender equality. Through both in-person and online sessions, we are sharing practical tools, case studies, and lessons learned to help businesses and stakeholders embed ethical practices across global supply chains.