Global clothier Gap has disclosed the factories which produce its garments. Fashion retailers Marks & Spencer and C&A, Nike, Levi’s and Adidas too have done the same exercise. Such disclosures are a boon for transparency in an industry that has rife with abuse. A million workers currently produce Gap clothing in 885 factories in about 30 countries around the globe. The company has reduced the number of supplier factories from about 2,000 six years ago to be able to manage relations.

Retailers were in the past reluctant to invite greater scrutiny by identifying their suppliers. They were concerned this could give competitors a window on a company’s clothing in production. Gap has revealed the names and street addresses of suppliers in countries such as China, Bangladesh, Egypt, Cambodia, Guatemala, India and Indonesia. The disclosures will lead to greater accountability for vendors and for Gap.

The growing number of apparel industry leaders disclosing factories is seen as good news for workers, the industry, and consumers. Activists have targeted the highly profitable fast-fashion industry, which churns out new low-cost garments daily or weekly to maximize sales volumes, and called on retailers to improve labor and environmental conditions at supplier factories in the impoverished developing world.