In a major step towards advancing sustainability in the Indian garment industry, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Green Business Certification Institute Pvt. Ltd. (GBCI) on May 8, 2025. The news was announced on AEPC’s official LinkedIn page.

This partnership aims to promote sustainable built environments through efficient use of energy, water, and waste, while also encouraging the adoption of advanced technologies for monitoring performance across garment factories in India. The MoU was signed by AEPC and Gopalakrishnan P, Managing Director – GBCI Asia Pacific and Middle East.

GBCI is a leading global organization dedicated to recognizing excellence in green business performance. In India, GBCI offers regional support to businesses and green building project teams, delivering on-the-ground certification and verification services that align with sustainability goals.

The collaboration between AEPC and GBCI will focus on several key areas:

• - Increasing the number of LEED-certified factories in India

• - Facilitating information exchange and knowledge sharing

• - Supporting the development of technical publications and research

• - Creating greater awareness about sustainability best practices

• - Showcasing India’s apparel industry as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing

•  

Currently, India has only 13 LEED-certified garment factories, compared to around 250 in Bangladesh. With increasing emphasis from global brands on sustainable sourcing, this initiative aims to strengthen India’s competitiveness in the international apparel market.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is a globally recognized benchmark that measures a building’s performance in areas such as energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and resource conservation. Certified factories also benefit from lower operating costs and enhanced brand and investor confidence.

Through this MoU, AEPC and GBCI are committed to empowering India’s garment sector to transition toward a more sustainable, responsible, and future-ready manufacturing ecosystem.