A database of factories in Bangladesh that produce clothes for UK retailers has been launched by Development Minister Alan Duncan, part-funded by aid money.
The database – launched on the first anniversary of the factory collapse in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,100 people – aims to help retailers make informed choices on which factories they do business with.
Those accessing the information will be able to see which factories have been inspected under the Accord and Alliance initiatives, as well as by experts from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
Currently, there are 3,497 factories held on the database and for each one it includes the address, registration number, owner’s name, size of workforce and the type of work carried out.
New information is also soon to be added relating to the outcomes of initial fire, electrical and structural inspections at the factories.
Copyright Press Association 2014