Engineering Resources International (ERI) Ltd said its chief operating officer has obtained a professional certification from the Global Reporting Initiative, strengthening the Bangladeshi firm’s environmental, social and governance advisory capabilities as demand for standardized sustainability reporting accelerates across global supply chains.
The Dhaka-based engineering and sustainability consultancy announced that COO Mahmudul Hasan has been recognized as a Certified Sustainability Professional under the GRI framework, which is widely regarded as the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting standard. The company said the credential reinforces its technical depth in helping manufacturers and exporters align with increasingly stringent disclosure expectations from international buyers, investors and regulators.
ERI said the certification will enhance its capacity to support clients with GRI-aligned sustainability reporting, materiality assessments, ESG strategy development and value-chain due diligence. The firm noted that corporate sustainability reporting is undergoing a structural shift, moving away from voluntary narrative disclosures toward more data-driven, governance-linked and assurance-ready reporting systems.
The move reflects growing momentum in Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries, particularly ready-made garments and textiles, where global brands are intensifying scrutiny of environmental performance, labor practices and supply-chain transparency. As buyers push for harmonized ESG data, frameworks such as GRI have become a common reference point for both multinational corporations and their suppliers.
Industry observers say the professionalization of ESG reporting is accelerating as regulatory frameworks tighten, especially in Europe. Companies supplying to the European Union are preparing for stricter disclosure and due diligence requirements, prompting rising demand for technical advisory services in emerging manufacturing hubs such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and India.
ERI said the strengthened in-house expertise will help it expand services including human rights assessments, Scope 3 emissions analysis, EU regulatory readiness and integration of sustainability metrics with financial reporting. The company added that clients are increasingly seeking support not only in preparing reports but also in embedding sustainability into core operational decision-making.
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Dhaka, ERI provides engineering, resource-efficiency and ESG consulting services to industrial clients across sectors including textiles, chemicals, leather and energy. The firm positions itself as a technical partner helping factories improve energy efficiency, water stewardship and environmental compliance while maintaining cost competitiveness.
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The Global Reporting Initiative framework has gained traction over the past decade as investors and policymakers push for more comparable and decision-useful sustainability data. Thousands of organizations across more than 100 countries use GRI standards to disclose their environmental and social impacts, according to the organization’s published figures. The framework’s double-materiality approach — which examines both financial risks and real-world impacts — has made it particularly relevant as European sustainability rules evolve.
For Bangladeshi manufacturers, alignment with globally recognized reporting standards is becoming increasingly important to maintain market access. The country remains one of the world’s largest apparel exporters, but suppliers face mounting expectations around carbon emissions, water use, chemical management and labor transparency.
ERI said it has been expanding its digital and analytical capabilities to meet these needs, including tools designed to track resource consumption and support ESG data management. The company has worked with hundreds of factories in Bangladesh and other countries, reflecting growing regional demand for structured sustainability support.
Analysts note that capacity building within local consulting firms is critical as ESG requirements become more technical and audit-focused. While many factories have taken initial steps on compliance, the next phase of competitiveness will depend on robust data systems, credible reporting and alignment with global frameworks such as GRI.
The certification of ERI’s senior leadership underscores how service providers in Bangladesh’s industrial ecosystem are positioning themselves for this next phase. With buyers demanding deeper transparency and regulators moving toward mandatory sustainability disclosures, firms that can translate complex ESG standards into practical factory-level implementation are expected to see rising demand.
ERI said it will continue investing in professional development and international standard alignment as it supports clients navigating the rapidly evolving sustainability landscape.
