The Supreme Court today extended till May 19 the tenure of Accord, a European agency for factory inspection and remediation.

The court adjourned till May 19 the hearing of an appeal filed by Accord challenging a High Court judgment that asked the agency to stop activities.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order following a time prayer moved by Accord.

Advocate KS Salahuddin Ahmed, a lawyer for Accord, told The Daily Star that Accord can function in Bangladesh till further hearing of Accord's appeal by the SC.

Previously, after the five-year-term of Accord expired on November 30, the matter of its extension went to the High Court which ordered a stop.

Matters were then taken on to the Supreme Court; which deferred the hearing multiple times previously.

The Accord conducts inspection and remediation activities for more than 200 global clothing retailers and brands.