Recognising sustainable leadership.
The TSL Awards honour the factories and businesses proving that people, planet and progress are not trade-offs — but the foundation of a competitive industry. Judged by an independent grand jury, not a popularity contest.
The Sustainability Leadership (TSL) Award is a joint initiative of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the German development agency GIZ, delivered under German Cooperation and presented at BATEXPO 26 in partnership with the Bangladesh Brand Forum.
It is a platform built to find and honour the best sustainable practices across the country's readymade garment (RMG) and textile factories — recognising the frontrunners whose people-first workplaces, environmental leadership, innovation and resilience are redefining what a modern factory can look like.
4
Categories
12
Awards
15
Grand jury experts
- Submit Nomination
Implemented by:
In cooperation with:
Presents
Last Date for Nomination Submission: October 22, 2026
Organized by:
TSL Award Categories
THE TSL AWARD PRESENTED BY STILE II PROJECT FROM GIZ IS IMPLEMENTED ON BEHALF OF THE GERMAN FEDERAL MINISTRY FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (BMZ) AND WITH THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE
People First
Recognizing factories building Bangladesh's most worker-friendly workplaces, where safety, dignity, inclusion and opportunity are embedded in workplace practices and contribute to long-term business performance.
Model Factory of the Year
Recognising a factory that demonstrates outstanding overall performance in workplace safety, infrastructure, worker facilities, factory layout, cleanliness and ergonomics, creating a modern, safe, healthy and worker-friendly working environment.
Women in Leadership
Recognizing a factory that demonstrates measurable progress in advancing women from operational roles into supervisory, managerial and leadership positions while creating a safe, inclusive and supportive working environment.
Community Champion
Recognising a factory that has made a meaningful and sustained contribution to the wellbeing and development of the communities surrounding its operations through relevant social initiatives.
Six stages. One independent verdict.
Every entry travels the same rigorous path — from submission to the final grand jury deliberation — so the outcome is transparent, accountable and unbiased.
- 01
Nomination & Submission
Garment factories submit initiatives against relevant categories — with the prescribed presentation, supporting evidence, initiative AV and NOC.
- 02
Eligibility & Compliance
The organising team checks each entry for completeness, category fit, documentation and supporting evidence. Incomplete or non-compliant entries can be disqualified.
- 03
Initial Category Screening
Eligible entries undergo a first evaluation to identify the strongest initiatives in each category — judged on the initiative itself, never brand size.
- 04
Grand Jury Evaluation
Shortlisted entries move to the Grand Jury Sessions — 2–3 panels of 20–25 experts across diverse industries.
- 05
Deliberation & Selection
Jurors discuss and assess competing initiatives before arriving at final decisions — different sectors bringing different perspectives to a transparent process.
- 06
Winners & Honourable Mentions
Final jury decisions determine winners across three tiers — recognising achievement at every level of excellence.
TSL Award – Submission Guidelines
1. Download and complete the Nomination Form. 2. Upload the completed Nomination Form to Google Drive and share the Google Drive link via email to awards@batexpo.com.bd Email Subject: TSL Award_Factory Name Please ensure that the Google Drive link is accessible to the Award Committee. Last Date for Nomination Submission: October 22, 2026
Click the button above to download
Be in the room.
Two days that reposition an industry — and the world's second-largest apparel exporter, telling its own story. 18–19 November, Dhaka.
BATEXPO 2026 · Silver Jubilee · Organised by BGMEA