A new report from the Ethical Denim Council (EDC) highlights a lack of buyer accountability and unethical practices in the global denim industry, calling for systemic reforms.

Titled “2024 State of the Denim Industry, an Unchanging Landscape of Change,” the report surveys over 1,500 factory workers in Bangladesh and Pakistan, 49 consumers, and seven brand employees. It identifies key issues, including buyer accountability, order cancellations, and the need for fairer industry practices.

Factory Workers at Risk: 66% of Bangladeshi and 50.4% of Pakistani workers say order cancellations put them at financial risk.

Accountability gap: While workers and consumers advocate for enforceable buyer accountability, brand employees remain divided on the issue.

Consumer awareness & challenges: 71.4% of consumers are unaware of purchasing policies, yet 77.6% believe brands should honor payment terms even for canceled orders. However, affordability remains a barrier to ethical shopping.

Regional differences: 100% of Bangladeshi workers understand supplier requirements, compared to only 58% in Pakistan.