ANNOUNCEMENTS
The purpose of this study is to understand the importance of traceability to achieve complete transparency in the fashion and textile supply chain. This is achieved by studying the traceability platform - TextileGenesis™, and their ongoing live projects with brands (H&M, Bestseller), ESG standard bodies (Canopy, Textile Exchange, US Cotton Trust Protocol) and certification bodies (Control Union, Intertek, IDFL, Bureau Veritas, USB).
There are multiple blockchain-powered traceability platforms that work with global retail apparel and lifestyle brands to map their supply chains. However, their approach is garment-backward. In a severely fragmented industry like that of textile, it is very difficult to authenticate claims made by tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers - tier-3 onwards are generally a gray area in terms of sustainability. TextileGenesis™ follows a fiber-forward multi-stakeholder approach by identifying the point of origin (fiber/filament/raw wool producer) and moving downstream in the supply chain as opposed to upstream.
This report focuses on two case studies - H&M and Bestseller to showcase how millions of units are being tracked at article-level on a blockchain-enabled system, allowing both brands to claim their supply chains are traceable, and that every step of the value chain is verified. This is followed by findings from an ongoing project with one of the world’s largest and most trusted forest management solutions - how man-made cellulosic fibers impact the textile industry and why tracing such fibers is valuable to both certification bodies and brands/retailers - building a strong business case of traceability in textile supply chains.
Key Words: Sustainable Fashion, Traceability, Transparency, Chain-of-Custody, Certification Bodies, Textile, Apparel, Supply Chain, Value Chain, Blockchain, Forensic Verification, Fiber-Forward, Fiber-to-Retail, Standard Bodies.
