--- title: "Safer Factories Initiative: Retailers’ New Bangladesh Accord" id: "17444" type: "post" slug: "safer-factories-initiative-retailers-new-bangladesh-accord" published_at: "2013-05-16T16:20:47+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T19:03:49+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/05/16/safer-factories-initiative-retailers-new-bangladesh-accord/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/05/16/safer-factories-initiative-retailers-new-bangladesh-accord.md" excerpt: "Retailers worldwide have been pressured to improve safety measures after the deadly factory collapse in Bangladesh. North American companies, with the help of several associations, crafted an alternative accord to prevent future disasters." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Bangladesh" - "Business" - "Safety" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" - "For-Profit CEO / President / Owner / Partner" taxonomy_persona: - "Industry Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Safer Factories Initiative: Retailers’ New Bangladesh Accord North American retailers have debuted their own [safety agreement for Bangladesh (opens in a new tab)](http://www.just-style.com/news/apparel-groups-unveil-own-bangladesh-safety-plans_id117861.aspx) , drafted with the help of the National Retail Federation and several other associations, according to news reports. NRF, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel, the Retail Council of Canada, and the Canadian Apparel Federation were involved in crafting the new Safer Factories Initiative, [Reuters reported (opens in a new tab)](http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/15/us-bangladesh-retailers-northamerica-idUSBRE94D0V820130515) . Although the accord is not legally binding, [an NRF press release (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=1581&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NRFNews+NRF+News) states that it seeks to “address a broad array of worker safety issues and enables brands and retailers to respond swiftly and effectively to an ever-changing environment.” Short-term plans for improvement include better education about fire safety for workers and information-sharing between retailers on safety training. Long-term goals envision a comprehensive safety compliance plan between companies and the Bangladeshi government. Earlier this month, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association [blamed Western retailers for the factory collapse there that killed more than 1,000 people](http://associationsnow.com/2013/05/association-blames-western-retailers-for-bangladesh-factory-collapse/) . Businesses worldwide face increased pressure to find ways to prevent future disasters. The North American accord is separate from a European agreement effort led by labor group IndustriALL, which many American retailers have declined to join. “While the proposal put forth by the labor unions addresses a number of shared concerns, the accord veers away from commonsense solutions and seeks to advance a narrow agenda driven by special interests,” NRF chief executive Matthew Shay told [Reuters (opens in a new tab)](http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/15/us-bangladesh-nrf-idUSBRE94E0V120130515) . [Daniel Ford](https://associationsnow.com/author/daniel-ford/) Daniel Ford is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/daniel-ford/) Tags: [#Bangladesh](https://associationsnow.com/tag/bangladesh/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Safety](https://associationsnow.com/tag/safety/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoUrban Land Institute- Project Recovery: Rebuilding Los Angeles After the January 2025 WildfiresSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/urban-land-institute-project-recovery-rebuilding-los-angeles-after-the-january-2025-wildfires/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) - [VideoNCRA: Safeguarding Cancer Surveillance: An Advocacy Response to FY26 Budget ThreatsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/ncra-safeguarding-cancer-surveillance-an-advocacy-response-to-fy26-budget-threats/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: All for the Love of Chicago: Rethinking the Destination ExperienceSeptember 10, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/10/associations-now-presents-all-for-the-love-of-chicago-rethinking-the-destination-experience/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F05%2F16%2Fsafer-factories-initiative-retailers-new-bangladesh-accord%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !