Leading names in European retail, including H&M and Primark, have backed plans for coordinated inspections of factories in Bangladesh.

Over 1,000 people died when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in April. Factories used by the brands will be inspected to try and improve safety standards within the next 9 months.

The collapse ranked among the world's worst industrial accidents and galvanised brands to look more closely at their suppliers. The new accord led to the creation of a team of inspectors to evaluate fire, electrical, structural and worker safety in factories supplying signatory brands.

In a report published on Monday the implementation team said the brands now had to provide full details of the Bangladesh factories from which they source goods.

But a number of US chains, including Wal-Mart, Gap, Macy's, Sears and JC Penney have shunned the deal. They say that it gives labour unions too much control over workplace safety and have proposed a non-binding version.

European, Bangladeshi and US officials are meeting in Geneva for talks aimed at improving safety conditions and discussing trade benefits, which the EU has threatened to suspend without greater action from the Bangladesh government.

Bangladesh has pledged to improve safety but it has not offered new money to relocate dangerous buildings.