Unfair use of penalties and post-agreement discount requests are commonly reported by suppliers. Power imbalances often prevent suppliers from challenging these practices.

To build strong, equitable partnerships, it’s essential that contract negotiations are grounded in transparency, mutual respect, and shared understanding.

Responsible production planning ensures risks such as fluctuating consumer demand and volatile markets are distributed fairly, rather than being disproportionately borne by suppliers.

Responsible purchasing practices are just one part of a broader picture—but they are a vital piece for any business committed to respecting the human rights of the people who make and supply their products.

Many of the key building blocks of responsible purchasing become more meaningful and effective when supplier relationships are sustained over the long-term.

Integral to responsible purchasing is understanding how your current practices affect suppliers and workers — and using that insight to improve.

Improving purchasing practices requires a collaborative approach. While individual buyers can make a significant difference, their actions are shaped by broader systems.

Buy-in and commitment from key individuals within your organisation are needed to secure necessary resource and support meaningful change.

This resource is a product of the RPP Learning and Implementation Community (LIC)—a peer-learning group of 36 garment brands from across Europe and the UK.