WRAP and BSCI consulting for garment and footwear businesses: the 2015-2016 TPP context

Archived article in the context of the 2015-2016 TPP negotiations. Forecasts and standard editions reflect that historical context.

Market context

In the original 2015-2016 context, Vietnam was expected to formally sign the TPP in early February 2016. The proposed agreement was seen as creating major opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese businesses, including potential advantages for textiles and footwear. The original article anticipated tariff removal under Chapter 4 on textiles and apparel. These were expectations at the time, not a statement of current tariff treatment or an assurance of immediate elimination for every product.

The original report presented 2016 as a preparation period for access to markets such as the United States, Japan, Australia and Singapore, and anticipated order volumes three to four times higher. This was a historical forecast rather than a verified outcome.

Relevant standards and programmes

To meet market requirements, Vietnamese textile, garment and footwear businesses were encouraged to implement relevant international standards and prepare for certification or assessment, as applicable to each programme:

• WRAP compliance principles (developed with the involvement of members of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, AAFA)
• BSCI Code of Conduct: 2014 (Business Social Compliance Initiative), the business social responsibility programme of the Foreign Trade Association (FTA).
• Other standards and programmes include: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, SA 8000, Sedex/ Smeta.

BSCI is a social compliance assessment programme. A BSCI assessment result should not be described as an ISO certificate.