ISO 9001 : 2008

SA 8000 : 2008

Knowledge & Implementation Partner

DRIVING INDUSTRY TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE HUMAN CAPITAL ADVANCEMENT (DISHA)

To be a part of this Prestigious National Project, and for any questions and
comments, please contact the DISHA Secretariat at
Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC):
Apparel House, Institutional Area Sector-44, Gurgaon-122003, Haryana
Phone: +91 124 2708276/ 2708197/ 2708035
Email: compliancecell@aepcindia.com, Web: www.aepc-disha.com
Note : Further details on Project methodology, process flows, eligibility criteria, implementation partners and members of various
committees are available in the website , www.aepc-disdha.com
DISCLAIMER : AEPC in its continuous efforts to make India a preferred sourcing destination plans to undertake a series of activities to strengthen
the socal compliance capacity in the Indian export garment industry. This brochure seeks to provide an insight into Project DISHA and broadly
outlines the parameters and methodologies that might be followed. AEPC reserves the right to make changes to any of the activities mentioned
herein at any time if it feels the need to do so.

Disha Brochure

GLORIOUS PAST PROMISING FUTURE

02

DISHA - TO MAKE INDIA A CHOSEN DESTINATION

02

VISION, MISSION & OBJECTIVES - DISHA

03

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR APPAREL FACTORIES

04

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF DISHA

04

GLORIOUS PAST PROMISING FUTURE

For many countries, developing countries in particular, the apparel industry has traditionally been an important source of
industrial development, employment growth and foreign exchange earnings. Minimum entry barriers with low capital
requirement, labor intensive processes and relatively simple production technologies played a central role in the growth of
apparel industry. In many countries apparel industry is recognized as a major employer and as the first point of entry into
industrial work for millions of low skilled and unskilled workers. Given its labor intensive nature and high female
employment intensity, the apparel sector also plays a crucial role in the development of nations, more generally in
developing countries, by its contribution to social and economic development and in reduction of poverty.
A distinctive feature of Indias apparel industry is the functions and processes throughout the value chain - from cotton
production to textiles to apparel making and exports. The Indian apparel industry, with a glorious history and cultural
heritage in the textiles & apparel production is poised for growth. Indian textile and apparel industry aims to increase its
export share in the world textile and apparel trade from the current US$35 billion to US$80 billion by 2020.

05

BENEFITS FOR DISHA STAKEHOLDERS

05

HOW DISHA WILL SUPPORT A PARTICIPATING APPAREL FACTORY

06
DISHA HELPDESK

06
EXPECTATIONS FROM THE PARTICIPATING APPAREL FACTORY

06
COST OF DISHA PROJECT

07
ABOUT DISHA PARTNERS

07

DISHA STEERING COMMITTEE

08

DISHA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

08
DISHA - TO MAKE INDIA A CHOSEN DESTINATION

PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD

DISHA is a term in Hindi language which means "direction", "course", "pathway". Inspired by philosophy of the term DISHA,
Indian apparel industry is determined to chart a course for itself to make India a preferred and chosen destination for the
global textile and apparel trade and sourcing by showcasing its efforts in and through adoption of responsible business
practices.

CONTENTS

DISHA is a first-of-its-kind industry-owned and driven initiative and programme by the Indian Apparel Industry. Adopting
multi-stakeholder approach, DISHA Programme has developed a self-regulatory voluntary Common Code of Conduct (CCC)
along with a capacity building framework for supporting and facilitating apparel manufacturers and preparing the apparel
industry, especially small and medium enterprises, towards becoming more socially and environmentally responsible. The
principal sponsor of DISHA Programme is the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The Apparel Exports Promotion
Council (AEPC) is the Principal Implementation Partner, and the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) is the Knowledge &
Implementation Partner.

02

GLORIOUS PAST PROMISING FUTURE

02

DISHA - TO MAKE INDIA A CHOSEN DESTINATION

02

VISION, MISSION & OBJECTIVES - DISHA

03

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR APPAREL FACTORIES

04

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF DISHA

04

GLORIOUS PAST PROMISING FUTURE

For many countries, developing countries in particular, the apparel industry has traditionally been an important source of
industrial development, employment growth and foreign exchange earnings. Minimum entry barriers with low capital
requirement, labor intensive processes and relatively simple production technologies played a central role in the growth of
apparel industry. In many countries apparel industry is recognized as a major employer and as the first point of entry into
industrial work for millions of low skilled and unskilled workers. Given its labor intensive nature and high female
employment intensity, the apparel sector also plays a crucial role in the development of nations, more generally in
developing countries, by its contribution to social and economic development and in reduction of poverty.
A distinctive feature of Indias apparel industry is the functions and processes throughout the value chain - from cotton
production to textiles to apparel making and exports. The Indian apparel industry, with a glorious history and cultural
heritage in the textiles & apparel production is poised for growth. Indian textile and apparel industry aims to increase its
export share in the world textile and apparel trade from the current US$35 billion to US$80 billion by 2020.

05

BENEFITS FOR DISHA STAKEHOLDERS

05

HOW DISHA WILL SUPPORT A PARTICIPATING APPAREL FACTORY

06
DISHA HELPDESK

06
EXPECTATIONS FROM THE PARTICIPATING APPAREL FACTORY

06
COST OF DISHA PROJECT

07
ABOUT DISHA PARTNERS

07

DISHA STEERING COMMITTEE

08

DISHA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

08
DISHA - TO MAKE INDIA A CHOSEN DESTINATION

PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD

DISHA is a term in Hindi language which means "direction", "course", "pathway". Inspired by philosophy of the term DISHA,
Indian apparel industry is determined to chart a course for itself to make India a preferred and chosen destination for the
global textile and apparel trade and sourcing by showcasing its efforts in and through adoption of responsible business
practices.

CONTENTS

DISHA is a first-of-its-kind industry-owned and driven initiative and programme by the Indian Apparel Industry. Adopting
multi-stakeholder approach, DISHA Programme has developed a self-regulatory voluntary Common Code of Conduct (CCC)
along with a capacity building framework for supporting and facilitating apparel manufacturers and preparing the apparel
industry, especially small and medium enterprises, towards becoming more socially and environmentally responsible. The
principal sponsor of DISHA Programme is the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The Apparel Exports Promotion
Council (AEPC) is the Principal Implementation Partner, and the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) is the Knowledge &
Implementation Partner.

02

CT

CK

Enable Indian apparel industry to enhance competitive advantage and achieve sustainable economic gains in a way

CH

VISION - DISHA

Special and unique approach, methodology and tools have been designed and
developed for Social and Environmental Performance Management System for
use by apparel manufactures. The approach, methodology, tools, and systems
are aimed at continually improving performance of Indian apparel factories
through institutionalized policies, processes, procedures and practices.

N
A

AEPC CCC is a process based code aimed at supporting, facilitating and

enabling the Indian apparel factories to establish and implement social and
environmental policies and principles based on applicable Indian laws and
regulations. Indian apparel factories would benefit from functional systems
and procedures and effective workplace communication system to manage the
social and environmental issues. DISHA Programme is offering capacity
building for the apparel factories on Social and Environmental Performance
Management System.

PL

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR

APPAREL FACTORIES

that is good for the business and society".

MISSION - DISHA
The Indian Apparel Industry attain its vision by taking responsibility to:
Respect decent work, social justice and environment.
Unify/Cooperate to achieve global alignment and resource optimization.
Provide enhanced value to the customers and consumers.

OBJECTIVES - DISHA
To have a globally recognized and accepted Common Code of Conduct (CCC) based on nationally applicable laws
and regulations.
To build capacities of apparel factories to establish and implement a management system for CCC implementation.
To promote a process-based certification system that enables measurement of progress towards adoption and
maintenance of the benchmark practices in the DISHA CCC.

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF DISHA

AEPC Common Code of Conduct (CCC) 2012: AEPC CCC is
designed to guide the Indian apparel factories on social
and environmental issues. The AEPC CCC establishes the
principles for business responsibility, based on applicable
Indian laws.
Apparel factory Capacity Building: Apparel factory
capacity building involves orientation by DISHA facilitator
for owners of apparel manufacturing factories and
capacity building for factory-nominated personnel - DISHA
Factory Champions Team - on AEPC CCC towards setting up
and implementing the Management System for AEPC CCC.
Baseline Data Collection, Gap Analysis & Impact
Assessment: Apparel factory along with DISHA facilitator
shall conduct a pre-intervention baseline data collection
and gap analysis against the AEPC CCC principles and
benchmarks, set on the basis of applicable Indian laws.
A f te r wa rd s , p o st - i nte r ve nt i o n a s s e s s m e nt s o n
implementation of the Management System in the factory
shall be undertaken. Intertek and SGS, as third party
agencies, shall conduct post-assessments in DISHA
Programme. Factories that successfully implement the
AEPC CCC shall qualify for AEPC CCC certification.
DISHA Certificate: DISHA Certificate shall be awarded to
the factory upon demonstration of successful and
satisfactor y implementation of the social and
environmental performance Management System.

India, shall recognize and reward the active participation

and best performance of participating apparel factories by
awarding factory personnel, factories and the factory
management at the cluster level. DISHA Ambassador
Award - at the Cluster level, DISHA Factory Award - at the
Factory level and DISHA Champion Award - at the individual
level (Factory Personnel).
Sub-Contractor Management: DISHA Programme shall
facilitate factories in putting process and system for
developing better understanding and management of subcontractors. Linkages to programmes that work towards
improving the quality and relations with sub-contractors
shall be offered.

Our Customers

DISHA Awards: DISHA has instituted several awards to

encourage and motivate people, companies, factories and
clusters. DISHA Programme Implementation Partners
(AEPC & CRB) and the Ministry of Textiles, Government of

04

CT

CK

Enable Indian apparel industry to enhance competitive advantage and achieve sustainable economic gains in a way

CH

VISION - DISHA

Special and unique approach, methodology and tools have been designed and
developed for Social and Environmental Performance Management System for
use by apparel manufactures. The approach, methodology, tools, and systems
are aimed at continually improving performance of Indian apparel factories
through institutionalized policies, processes, procedures and practices.

N
A

AEPC CCC is a process based code aimed at supporting, facilitating and

enabling the Indian apparel factories to establish and implement social and
environmental policies and principles based on applicable Indian laws and
regulations. Indian apparel factories would benefit from functional systems
and procedures and effective workplace communication system to manage the
social and environmental issues. DISHA Programme is offering capacity
building for the apparel factories on Social and Environmental Performance
Management System.

PL

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR

APPAREL FACTORIES

that is good for the business and society".

MISSION - DISHA
The Indian Apparel Industry attain its vision by taking responsibility to:
Respect decent work, social justice and environment.
Unify/Cooperate to achieve global alignment and resource optimization.
Provide enhanced value to the customers and consumers.

OBJECTIVES - DISHA
To have a globally recognized and accepted Common Code of Conduct (CCC) based on nationally applicable laws
and regulations.
To build capacities of apparel factories to establish and implement a management system for CCC implementation.
To promote a process-based certification system that enables measurement of progress towards adoption and
maintenance of the benchmark practices in the DISHA CCC.

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF DISHA

AEPC Common Code of Conduct (CCC) 2012: AEPC CCC is
designed to guide the Indian apparel factories on social
and environmental issues. The AEPC CCC establishes the
principles for business responsibility, based on applicable
Indian laws.
Apparel factory Capacity Building: Apparel factory
capacity building involves orientation by DISHA facilitator
for owners of apparel manufacturing factories and
capacity building for factory-nominated personnel - DISHA
Factory Champions Team - on AEPC CCC towards setting up
and implementing the Management System for AEPC CCC.
Baseline Data Collection, Gap Analysis & Impact
Assessment: Apparel factory along with DISHA facilitator
shall conduct a pre-intervention baseline data collection
and gap analysis against the AEPC CCC principles and
benchmarks, set on the basis of applicable Indian laws.
A f te r wa rd s , p o st - i nte r ve nt i o n a s s e s s m e nt s o n
implementation of the Management System in the factory
shall be undertaken. Intertek and SGS, as third party
agencies, shall conduct post-assessments in DISHA
Programme. Factories that successfully implement the
AEPC CCC shall qualify for AEPC CCC certification.
DISHA Certificate: DISHA Certificate shall be awarded to
the factory upon demonstration of successful and
satisfactor y implementation of the social and
environmental performance Management System.

India, shall recognize and reward the active participation

and best performance of participating apparel factories by
awarding factory personnel, factories and the factory
management at the cluster level. DISHA Ambassador
Award - at the Cluster level, DISHA Factory Award - at the
Factory level and DISHA Champion Award - at the individual
level (Factory Personnel).
Sub-Contractor Management: DISHA Programme shall
facilitate factories in putting process and system for
developing better understanding and management of subcontractors. Linkages to programmes that work towards
improving the quality and relations with sub-contractors
shall be offered.

Our Customers

DISHA Awards: DISHA has instituted several awards to

encourage and motivate people, companies, factories and
clusters. DISHA Programme Implementation Partners
(AEPC & CRB) and the Ministry of Textiles, Government of

04

DISHA HELPDESK

BENEFITS FOR DISHA STAKEHOLDERS

Benefits

Apparel
Manufacturers

Workers

Buyers

Factories shall be offered the services of the DISHA Clinics, set up at the AEPC Head Office in Gurgaon, for resolution of
any queries about DISHA Project.
The DISHA website shall provide a Window for Queries section which can be used by apparel factories to better
understand DISHA programme and implementation process.

Enhanced confidence

Factory complying with legal

requirements of India resulting
in enhanced pride and reputation.

Worker pride in the

organization
leads to better morale.

Enhanced confidence in India

and supplier factories as a
responsible and preferred
sourcing destination.

Management System

Management system helps in

better control of key processes.

Management system leads to

lower overheads and
production costs per piece.

Management system helps

build buyer confidence in
the supplier factory.

EXPECTATIONS FROM THE PARTICIPATING APPAREL FACTORY

Fewer Buyer-Audits, higher level

of adherence to applicable laws,
minimizing duplication of efforts
there by resulting in reduction in
time and money spent
on auditing.

Fewer Audits minimizes

duplication of effort, helps
save man hours of the factory
personnel which can be
directed to other production
activities.

Fewer audits help to avoid

duplicative monitoring and
inspection burden there by
reducing time and cost of
auditing for the buyer.

Responsible workforce

Responsible workers leads to less

absenteeism & reduced over time
leading to increased productivity
and reduction in production cost.

Better work environment leads Responsible workers leads

to responsible workers leading buyer confidence in
to less absenteeism increased the supplier factory.
productivity and reduced
overtime.

Improved communication

Enhances relationship between

apparel manufacturer middle
management and worker.

Enhances relationships
between middle
management worker.

Fewer Buyer Audits

Enhances relationship
between Buyer and apparel
manufacturer.

HOW DISHA WILL SUPPORT A PARTICIPATING APPAREL FACTORY

Stage
Awareness Program

Description

Unit Resource
Commitment

An awareness programme to help manufacturers understand the

objectives, approach, methodology and implementation details of
the DISHA Programme.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

DISHA facilitator shall visit factories and engage with DISHA Factory
Champions Team to facilitate baseline data collection. The
questionnaire of the assessment is designed to surface issues and
assess the present level of factory compliance to laws and regulations.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

On the basis of the baseline data, gap analysis of the factory

shall be conducted vis--vis AEPC CCC benchmark by
the DISHA Factory Champions Team.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Remediation Action Plan

Based on the gap analysis, the DISHA facilitators shall guide and
facilitate the DISHA Factory Champions Team to develop a
Remediation Action Plan which will be presented to the top
management for approval and support.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Performance Support

Facilitation will be provided by DISHA facilitators in the

implementation of the DISHA-CCC with help of a toolkit.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Monitoring Progress

AEPC/CRB will review and support the progress vis-a-vis the

Remediation Action Plan implementation.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Assessment

The factory shall be assessed for improvements vis--vis AEPC CCC

and based on internal assessment, the qualifying factory shall be
recommended for a third party assessment.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Baseline Assessment

Gap Analysis

AEPC, and the CRB (along with DISHA Facilitators) shall

strive towards providing an effective facilitation to the
participating factories and, therefore, expect active
engagement of the factory management and key personnel
to ensure the successful implementation of the DISHA
Programme.
Experience suggest that often apparel factories apply and
operationalize codes of conduct with good intentions,
however, due to lack of efficient and effective Management
System and in-house capacities, such efforts do not lead to
institutionalization and real improvements in social and
environmental practices. Hence, such efforts do not yield
much positive outcomes for both factories and the workers.
The focus of DISHA Programme is on developing capacity of
the participating apparel factories and embedding
Management System approach in their practices. However,
for development of effective Management System, the
following are essential requirements:

Commitment and buy-in of the top management for

endorsing and supporting the AEPC CCC approach
and methodology.

Nomination of DISHA Factory Champions Team and a

Management Representative.

Full participation and ownership from factory

management and of DISHA Factory Champions Team to
ensure implementation of AEPC CCC in close
collaboration with DISHA facilitators.

Integration and embedding of AEPC CCC principles in

all departments and processes of the factory such as
human resources, production, legal department,
manufacturing quality, and in particular the buying and
sub-contracting processes.

AEPC CCC principles must be understood by and

communicated to everyone, internally and externally,
who are affected by implementation of DISHA. Hence,
communication to personnel and workers at all levels is
essential.

As DISHA is a fixed term programme, the turnaround

time between the two consecutive visits though will be
a mutually agreed upon date, however the onus
remains on the DISHA Factory Champion Team to make
themselves available prioritizing for it to finish within
that fixed timeframe.

Factory management is encouraged to reach out to the

CRB Central Team and/or AEPC in case the factory feels,
and have reasonable grounds to justify, incompetence
of the Facilitators.

It is the factorys responsibility to successfully

demonstrate the implementation of the DISHA
Management System to the third party for
independent impact assessment.

COST OF DISHA PROJECT

The DISHA Project has been made possible with the generous support of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. AEPC,
therefore, is able to offer the project that usually costs over INR 25,000/- (excluding processing fee of INR. 500/- and
applicable service tax at the moment being offered at a highly subsidized rate (DISHA programme enrollment fee details
available with AEPC) for each participating apparel manufacturer.

06

DISHA HELPDESK

BENEFITS FOR DISHA STAKEHOLDERS

Benefits

Apparel
Manufacturers

Workers

Buyers

Factories shall be offered the services of the DISHA Clinics, set up at the AEPC Head Office in Gurgaon, for resolution of
any queries about DISHA Project.
The DISHA website shall provide a Window for Queries section which can be used by apparel factories to better
understand DISHA programme and implementation process.

Enhanced confidence

Factory complying with legal

requirements of India resulting
in enhanced pride and reputation.

Worker pride in the

organization
leads to better morale.

Enhanced confidence in India

and supplier factories as a
responsible and preferred
sourcing destination.

Management System

Management system helps in

better control of key processes.

Management system leads to

lower overheads and
production costs per piece.

Management system helps

build buyer confidence in
the supplier factory.

EXPECTATIONS FROM THE PARTICIPATING APPAREL FACTORY

Fewer Buyer-Audits, higher level

of adherence to applicable laws,
minimizing duplication of efforts
there by resulting in reduction in
time and money spent
on auditing.

Fewer Audits minimizes

duplication of effort, helps
save man hours of the factory
personnel which can be
directed to other production
activities.

Fewer audits help to avoid

duplicative monitoring and
inspection burden there by
reducing time and cost of
auditing for the buyer.

Responsible workforce

Responsible workers leads to less

absenteeism & reduced over time
leading to increased productivity
and reduction in production cost.

Better work environment leads Responsible workers leads

to responsible workers leading buyer confidence in
to less absenteeism increased the supplier factory.
productivity and reduced
overtime.

Improved communication

Enhances relationship between

apparel manufacturer middle
management and worker.

Enhances relationships
between middle
management worker.

Fewer Buyer Audits

Enhances relationship
between Buyer and apparel
manufacturer.

HOW DISHA WILL SUPPORT A PARTICIPATING APPAREL FACTORY

Stage
Awareness Program

Description

Unit Resource
Commitment

An awareness programme to help manufacturers understand the

objectives, approach, methodology and implementation details of
the DISHA Programme.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

DISHA facilitator shall visit factories and engage with DISHA Factory
Champions Team to facilitate baseline data collection. The
questionnaire of the assessment is designed to surface issues and
assess the present level of factory compliance to laws and regulations.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

On the basis of the baseline data, gap analysis of the factory

shall be conducted vis--vis AEPC CCC benchmark by
the DISHA Factory Champions Team.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Remediation Action Plan

Based on the gap analysis, the DISHA facilitators shall guide and
facilitate the DISHA Factory Champions Team to develop a
Remediation Action Plan which will be presented to the top
management for approval and support.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Performance Support

Facilitation will be provided by DISHA facilitators in the

implementation of the DISHA-CCC with help of a toolkit.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Monitoring Progress

AEPC/CRB will review and support the progress vis-a-vis the

Remediation Action Plan implementation.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Assessment

The factory shall be assessed for improvements vis--vis AEPC CCC

and based on internal assessment, the qualifying factory shall be
recommended for a third party assessment.

Factory Head HR/Compliance

Head

Baseline Assessment

Gap Analysis

AEPC, and the CRB (along with DISHA Facilitators) shall

strive towards providing an effective facilitation to the
participating factories and, therefore, expect active
engagement of the factory management and key personnel
to ensure the successful implementation of the DISHA
Programme.
Experience suggest that often apparel factories apply and
operationalize codes of conduct with good intentions,
however, due to lack of efficient and effective Management
System and in-house capacities, such efforts do not lead to
institutionalization and real improvements in social and
environmental practices. Hence, such efforts do not yield
much positive outcomes for both factories and the workers.
The focus of DISHA Programme is on developing capacity of
the participating apparel factories and embedding
Management System approach in their practices. However,
for development of effective Management System, the
following are essential requirements:

Commitment and buy-in of the top management for

endorsing and supporting the AEPC CCC approach
and methodology.

Nomination of DISHA Factory Champions Team and a

Management Representative.

Full participation and ownership from factory

management and of DISHA Factory Champions Team to
ensure implementation of AEPC CCC in close
collaboration with DISHA facilitators.

Integration and embedding of AEPC CCC principles in

all departments and processes of the factory such as
human resources, production, legal department,
manufacturing quality, and in particular the buying and
sub-contracting processes.

AEPC CCC principles must be understood by and

communicated to everyone, internally and externally,
who are affected by implementation of DISHA. Hence,
communication to personnel and workers at all levels is
essential.

As DISHA is a fixed term programme, the turnaround

time between the two consecutive visits though will be
a mutually agreed upon date, however the onus
remains on the DISHA Factory Champion Team to make
themselves available prioritizing for it to finish within
that fixed timeframe.

Factory management is encouraged to reach out to the

CRB Central Team and/or AEPC in case the factory feels,
and have reasonable grounds to justify, incompetence
of the Facilitators.

It is the factorys responsibility to successfully

demonstrate the implementation of the DISHA
Management System to the third party for
independent impact assessment.

COST OF DISHA PROJECT

The DISHA Project has been made possible with the generous support of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. AEPC,
therefore, is able to offer the project that usually costs over INR 25,000/- (excluding processing fee of INR. 500/- and
applicable service tax at the moment being offered at a highly subsidized rate (DISHA programme enrollment fee details
available with AEPC) for each participating apparel manufacturer.

06

DISHA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

This committee is responsible for setting the strategy that
governs the implementation of the program and shall have the
administrative powers. The committee consists of the following
members:

Chairman, AEPC (Chairman)

Secretary General AEPC

Technical experts

Industry experts

Director Compliance, AEPC, (Member Secretary)

PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD

ABOUT DISHA PARTNERS
Principal Implementation Agency
Apparel Export Promotion Council Incorporated in 1978,
AEPC is the official body of apparel exporters in India that
provides invaluable assistance to Indian exporters as well as
importers/international buyers who choose India as their
preferred sourcing destination for garments.

Knowledge and Implementation Partner

CRB The Center for Responsible Business (CRB) is being
incubated in India through a development partnership
project between Business Social Compliance Initiative
(BSCI), Social Accountability International (SAI) and the
Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit
(GIZ) GmbH.
The CRB is a unique centre for excellence in the Business
Responsibility sphere - voluntary standards, sustainable
development and corporate social responsibility (CSR) which supports and assists stakeholders across the global
value chain as they move towards a more sustainable and
responsible future. Hand-in-hand with actors across the

value chain - from transnational brands and buyers, local

m a n u fa c t u rers a n d s u p p liers ( SM E s ) , Nat io n a l,
International organisations and civil society organisations,
to governments - the CRB fosters and promotes responsible
behaviours and business practices by addressing the
growing need and demand for training and advisory
services.

In view of cross sectoral implication and involvement of the project, a project advisory board has been constituted involving
the senior functionaries from respective Ministries and Industry to provide strategic guidance, vision and overall direction
to the project. The advisory board will give strategic consultation to ensure quality, consistency and authenticity of the
programme.

Constituent Members of Advisory Board are:

Chairman, AEPC (Chairman)

Secretary General, AEPC

Senior functionaries of Ministry of Textiles

Impact Assessment Agency

Senior functionaries Ministry of Labour

Intertek - Intertek is a multinational inspection, product

testing and certification company headquartered in
London, United Kingdom. It is listed on the London Stock
Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Senior functionaries of Ministry of Environment and Forest

Senior functionaries of International Agencies (ILO, FLA, ETI, BSCI)

Senior functionaries of Buying Houses of International Brands in India

Representatives of the apparel manufacturers

Representatives of leading international fashion brands

Director (Compliance) (Member Secretary)

SGS - SGS S.A. is a multinational company headquartered in

Geneva, Switzerland which provides inspection,
verification, testing and certification services. It has around
70,000 employees and operates over 1,350 offices and
laboratories worldwide

DISHA STEERING COMMITTEE

The programme is being implemented by AEPC as the Principal implementing agency under the overall supervision of the
Ministry of Textiles. For the purpose of coordination, a steering committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of
the Joint Secretary (Exports) Ministry of Textiles with the following members:

Joint Secretary (Exports) MOT (Chairman)

Director (Exports), MOT

Chairman AEPC

Secretary General, AEPC

08

DISHA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

This committee is responsible for setting the strategy that
governs the implementation of the program and shall have the
administrative powers. The committee consists of the following
members:

Chairman, AEPC (Chairman)

Secretary General AEPC

Technical experts

Industry experts

Director Compliance, AEPC, (Member Secretary)

PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD

ABOUT DISHA PARTNERS
Principal Implementation Agency
Apparel Export Promotion Council Incorporated in 1978,
AEPC is the official body of apparel exporters in India that
provides invaluable assistance to Indian exporters as well as
importers/international buyers who choose India as their
preferred sourcing destination for garments.

Knowledge and Implementation Partner

CRB The Center for Responsible Business (CRB) is being
incubated in India through a development partnership
project between Business Social Compliance Initiative
(BSCI), Social Accountability International (SAI) and the
Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit
(GIZ) GmbH.
The CRB is a unique centre for excellence in the Business
Responsibility sphere - voluntary standards, sustainable
development and corporate social responsibility (CSR) which supports and assists stakeholders across the global
value chain as they move towards a more sustainable and
responsible future. Hand-in-hand with actors across the

value chain - from transnational brands and buyers, local

m a n u fa c t u rers a n d s u p p liers ( SM E s ) , Nat io n a l,
International organisations and civil society organisations,
to governments - the CRB fosters and promotes responsible
behaviours and business practices by addressing the
growing need and demand for training and advisory
services.

In view of cross sectoral implication and involvement of the project, a project advisory board has been constituted involving
the senior functionaries from respective Ministries and Industry to provide strategic guidance, vision and overall direction
to the project. The advisory board will give strategic consultation to ensure quality, consistency and authenticity of the
programme.

Constituent Members of Advisory Board are:

Chairman, AEPC (Chairman)

Secretary General, AEPC

Senior functionaries of Ministry of Textiles

Impact Assessment Agency

Senior functionaries Ministry of Labour

Intertek - Intertek is a multinational inspection, product

testing and certification company headquartered in
London, United Kingdom. It is listed on the London Stock
Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Senior functionaries of Ministry of Environment and Forest

Senior functionaries of International Agencies (ILO, FLA, ETI, BSCI)

Senior functionaries of Buying Houses of International Brands in India

Representatives of the apparel manufacturers

Representatives of leading international fashion brands

Director (Compliance) (Member Secretary)

SGS - SGS S.A. is a multinational company headquartered in

Geneva, Switzerland which provides inspection,
verification, testing and certification services. It has around
70,000 employees and operates over 1,350 offices and
laboratories worldwide

DISHA STEERING COMMITTEE

The programme is being implemented by AEPC as the Principal implementing agency under the overall supervision of the
Ministry of Textiles. For the purpose of coordination, a steering committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of
the Joint Secretary (Exports) Ministry of Textiles with the following members:

Joint Secretary (Exports) MOT (Chairman)

Director (Exports), MOT

Chairman AEPC

Secretary General, AEPC

08

(Printed on Company's Letter Head)

Apparel Export Promotion Council

Application for enrollment to Common Compliance Code program - DISHA

To

AFFIDAVIT

I/We ______________________________(Proprietor/ Partner/ Director/ Managing Director/Chief Executive(Karta) of M/s

________________________________ do hereby solemnly declare and affirm that

The Secretary General

Apparel Export promotion Council
Sir,
1. Name & address (office) of the applicant:

2. Name and address of the factory / factories:

3. R.C.M.C. no & date (issued by the AEPC)

4. Factory license, valid as on 1/1/11 No.& Date

5. E.S.I. Registration Certification No. & Date

6. P.F. Registration Certification No. & Date

7. Import Export code No. & Date

...

8. Total Investment made in the unit

(A) I/We hereby declare that if any of the declaration(s) made of details(s) given in my/our application or documents
enclosed with the applications including this affidavit is/are found to be incorrect, the AEPC will have the right to cancel
allotment of the scheme and to claim back from me/us the govt. fund that may have already been utilized by me/us by the
time the DISHA program is cancelled, in addition to any other penal action they may be taken under the relevant rules,
against me/us.

(B) I/We also declare that I/We are willing to subject my/our unit for an inspection/verification by any person or persons
authorized by the SG, AEPC at the site (s) of the unit (s) mentioned in my/our application.

(C) I/We also hereby undertake that I/We will not shift/sell any machinery/manufacturing unit if covered under the
application from the premises declared in this application without intimation to the Secretary General, AEPC.

(Statement regarding the no. of machines

installed/ investments made
in the specified imported/indigenous

Seal of the Company/Firm

machines, etc.)

Date:

9. Total number of workers in the unit

Signature with date.......................

10. Referred By:

Name..............................................
Position in the Company/firm i.e.

You are requested to enroll our above said unit for the DISHA compliance program

/Proprietor/Managing Partner/

based on the details indicated herein above and in the enclosed documents and as

Date: Director/Managing Director/

per the guidelines of the DISHA Scheme.

Chief Executive/
Yours Faithfully,
(

Seal of the Company/Firm

Date :

(Should be duly notarized)

Signature with date
Name..............................................
Position in the Company/firm i.e.
/Proprietor/Managing Partner/
Date: Director/Managing Director/
Chief Executive/Karta

(Printed on Company's Letter Head)

Apparel Export Promotion Council

Application for enrollment to Common Compliance Code program - DISHA

To

AFFIDAVIT

I/We ______________________________(Proprietor/ Partner/ Director/ Managing Director/Chief Executive(Karta) of M/s

________________________________ do hereby solemnly declare and affirm that

The Secretary General

Apparel Export promotion Council
Sir,
1. Name & address (office) of the applicant:

2. Name and address of the factory / factories:

3. R.C.M.C. no & date (issued by the AEPC)

4. Factory license, valid as on 1/1/11 No.& Date

5. E.S.I. Registration Certification No. & Date

6. P.F. Registration Certification No. & Date

7. Import Export code No. & Date

...

8. Total Investment made in the unit

(A) I/We hereby declare that if any of the declaration(s) made of details(s) given in my/our application or documents
enclosed with the applications including this affidavit is/are found to be incorrect, the AEPC will have the right to cancel
allotment of the scheme and to claim back from me/us the govt. fund that may have already been utilized by me/us by the
time the DISHA program is cancelled, in addition to any other penal action they may be taken under the relevant rules,
against me/us.

(B) I/We also declare that I/We are willing to subject my/our unit for an inspection/verification by any person or persons
authorized by the SG, AEPC at the site (s) of the unit (s) mentioned in my/our application.

(C) I/We also hereby undertake that I/We will not shift/sell any machinery/manufacturing unit if covered under the
application from the premises declared in this application without intimation to the Secretary General, AEPC.

(Statement regarding the no. of machines

installed/ investments made
in the specified imported/indigenous

Seal of the Company/Firm

machines, etc.)

Date:

9. Total number of workers in the unit

Signature with date.......................

10. Referred By:

Name..............................................
Position in the Company/firm i.e.

You are requested to enroll our above said unit for the DISHA compliance program

/Proprietor/Managing Partner/

based on the details indicated herein above and in the enclosed documents and as

Date: Director/Managing Director/

per the guidelines of the DISHA Scheme.

Chief Executive/
Yours Faithfully,
(

Seal of the Company/Firm

Date :

(Should be duly notarized)

Signature with date
Name..............................................
Position in the Company/firm i.e.
/Proprietor/Managing Partner/
Date: Director/Managing Director/
Chief Executive/Karta

ISO 9001 : 2008

SA 8000 : 2008

Knowledge & Implementation Partner

DRIVING INDUSTRY TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE HUMAN CAPITAL ADVANCEMENT (DISHA)

To be a part of this Prestigious National Project, and for any questions and
comments, please contact the DISHA Secretariat at
Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC):
Apparel House, Institutional Area Sector-44, Gurgaon-122003, Haryana
Phone: +91 124 2708276/ 2708197/ 2708035
Email: compliancecell@aepcindia.com, Web: www.aepc-disha.com
Note : Further details on Project methodology, process flows, eligibility criteria, implementation partners and members of various
committees are available in the website , www.aepc-disdha.com
DISCLAIMER : AEPC in its continuous efforts to make India a preferred sourcing destination plans to undertake a series of activities to strengthen
the socal compliance capacity in the Indian export garment industry. This brochure seeks to provide an insight into Project DISHA and broadly
outlines the parameters and methodologies that might be followed. AEPC reserves the right to make changes to any of the activities mentioned
herein at any time if it feels the need to do so.

Disha Brochure