Press Release: TIWW and major retailers launch unified questionnaire and digital tool to measure due diligence maturity and enable collective action across the fashion industry
The unified self-assessment questionnaire — co-developed by Cascale, Fair Wear, and leading European-based retailers - and free digital platform allow retailers to assess the maturity of supply chain HREDD systems, and brands to identify gaps in internal practices and receive recommendations for remediation.
Amsterdam, 10 February 2026
As sustainability and supply chain data demands on fashion companies intensify, a fragmented landscape of initiatives and systems has emerged. While well-intentioned, these disparate solutions have created a significant administrative burden, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. To address this challenge, Cascale and Fair Wear, in collaboration with seven leading European retailers, has co-developed the Retailer Brand Due Diligence Questionnaire to support greater alignment in Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) across the sector.
The Retailer Brand Due Diligence Questionnaire is a simplified HREDD self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) co-developed through a collaborative effort between Cascale, Fair Wear and lead retailers ABOUT YOU, ASOS, Boozt, Ellos Group, New Look, The Very Group and Zalando. By consolidating requirements from multiple business partners into a single streamlined questionnaire, it eliminates fragmented reporting and ensures brand partners are measured against fair, universally recognised criteria.
Informed by OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector and further sector-specific standards, this questionnaire establishes a consistent, industry-wide baseline for ethical sourcing. This allows companies to navigate a complex reporting landscape, ensuring resources are directed where they are most needed to foster a more resilient and responsible supply chain.
“Fair Wear is proud to bring our deep expertise in worker-centred due diligence to the development of the SAQ. Working with Cascale in The Industry We Want and the Retailer Round Table, we’ve created a shared, credible starting point for brands and retailers that promotes efficiency and reduces duplication across the sector. The SAQ lays the groundwork for clearer expectations, emphasising the role retailers play in encouraging brands to move toward impactful due diligence and real improvements for workers. Moreover, our organisations have the tools and guidance readily available to help brands advance in their HREDD journey.”
“With Retailer Brand Due Diligence Questionnaire and One Retail Hub, we are moving from complexity to clarity. Many existing tools add administrative weight to supply chain assessments, which can hinder fast, effective decision-making. We have bridged the practical needs of retailers with the industry knowledge of Cascale and Fair Wear to design a granular yet simplified tool. It allows for a precise diagnosis and, crucially, an immediate roadmap for corrective action.”
One Retail Hub is a free digital tool built in partnership between TrusTrace and the retailers to facilitate seamless data exchange. This platform allows brands to engage with the HREDD questionnaire continuously rather than reacting to ad-hoc requests, introducing predictability into the reporting cycle.
