The accord is separate from a legally binding plan finalized earlier this week by more than 70 mostly European companies such as H&M and Zara owner Inditex. U.S. apparel sellers largely avoided the contract.

Instead, they said Wednesday that their coalition would seek inspections at all member-supported factories in Bangladesh within a year. The group promised transparency for the checkup results.

In the next three months, a set of safety standards will be developed, according to the newly formed alliance. The criterion will be in place by October, it said.

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