In the late 1990s, Nike brought attention to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the apparel industry due to profits of $800 million while paying workers less than $10 per hour in sweatshop conditions. In response, President Bill Clinton established the Apparel Industry Partnership to improve CSR, and companies like Nike began emphasizing ethical sourcing. Today, developed countries have laws against child labor and poor working conditions, consumers demand CSR initiatives, and "greenwashing" obscures sincere efforts from profit-driven ones. Looking ahead, CSR will be franchised throughout a company's regions to build systems easily implemented in new markets.

1. A timeline of
CSR & Clothes
What you need to know

2. history
In the late 1990’s Nike brought CSR within
the apparel industry to the national spotlight
With profits of over $800 million, they were
paying workers < $10/hour providing sweat
shop conditions

3. history
Bill Clinton founded the Apparel Industry
Partnership (AIP), the first organization
dedicated to improving CSR in the apparel
industry
Apparel companies such as Nike and
Reebok started to emphasize ethical
sourcing, and required their manufacturers
to meet certain standards

4. Today
Most major developed countries have laws
in place that deter child labor and poor
working conditions, though they can still be
found in many places
The focus of CSR within the apparel industry
has moved from being retroactive to
proactive

5. Today
Today’s more conscious consumer has
forced companies to start CSR initiatives,
from Timberland completely recyclable boots
to TOM’s One for One program
Companies see opportunities in “green”
products, which has led us to be very wary
of “green-washing”

6. Today
Green-washing occurs when companies use
words such as “organic” or “natural” make
products appear more earth friendly than they
actually are
This has blurred the lines between companies
who are sincere in their efforts and those just
interested in increasing profits, making the
consumer’s job as hard as ever

7. Future
In the future CSR will be viewed as a
product, one that will be “franchised”
throughout the different regions that a
company has a presence
This allows a company to build a system of
CSR within their brand that can easily be
implemented into new markets

8. Helpful Links
1. https://fashionwithaheart.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/300/
2. http://causecapitalism.com/csr-10-in-10-years/
3. http://www.csrwire.com/blog/posts/1350-franchising-csr-the-future-of-corporate-social-responsibility