The Fashion Traceability News Thread #95 / An Exclusive Article by Pranta Biswas / and More...
GO TRACE - More Traceability, for Responsible Fashion
Traceability rules, tips, events, networking, tools, laws, training and more, for the clothing industry.
Dear GO TRACE Community,
Welcome to the 95th edition of our GO TRACE Newsletter.
This week, at a conference held in the European Parliament in Brussels, the report "The Status Report of European Fashion" and its 10 point manifesto of recommendations were unveiled, underscoring the urgent need to balance quality, creativity, and sustainability in this rapidly evolving industry.
Discussions highlighted critical issues such as the staggering impact of textile waste, the complexities of fragmented supply chains, and the importance of consistent yet flexible EU wide regulations. Innovations like Digital Product Passports and transparent labelling were recognised as essential tools to support circularity, while participants stressed the need for robust databases and consumer education to drive meaningful change.
As the fashion ecosystem transforms, it seems to me that traceability and transparency remain crucial pillars of this transition.
Please find the report "The Status Report of European Fashion" with its 10 point manifesto of recommendations towards the end.
Also in our "Industry Voices" section this week, an article from Pranta Biswas from Tailorlux, who explores how physical tracers and Digital Product Passports can drive authenticity and sustainability in recycled textiles.
I let you dive into this and other updates in this week’s newsletter!
Catherine Lomonaco Membré
Founder, GO TRACE
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?? INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
The European Fashion Alliance (EFA) launched a 10-point manifesto emphasizing sustainability, circularity, and transparency, while highlighting the role of initiatives like the Digital Product Passport (DPP) in ensuring traceability and fostering a competitive and responsible European fashion ecosystem.
Textile Exchange's 2024 Material Change Index highlights advancements in sustainable sourcing among 125 textile companies, with only a small fraction achieving the top "leading" tier. The report showcases progress in climate-target initiatives but underscores persistent challenges in traceability and limited adoption of textile-to-textile recycling, signaling a need for deeper systemic change.
The German fashion industry, contributing €70 billion to GDP, faces challenges like job losses, high production costs, and offshoring, but it also benefits from strengths in sustainability, craftsmanship, and digital innovations like the Digital Product Passport, which supports transparency amid increasing regulatory demands.
?? TRACEABILITY INNOVATION
BASF's Lemf?rde site has achieved ISCC PLUS certification for biomass-balanced thermoplastic polyurethanes, ensuring traceability and sustainability through the mass balance approach. This allows BASF to offer low-CO2 materials without altering product quality, supporting customers' sustainability goals while reducing dependency on fossil resources.
?? BRAND INITIATIVES
APG & Co is enhancing supply chain traceability and sustainability through strong supplier relationships, technology investments, and training. They aim to reduce carbon emissions while adapting to evolving reporting requirements in Australia by 2025.
Italian fashion brand Twinset has partnered with TrusTrace to enhance supply chain traceability, aiming for improved eco-design and compliance with upcoming EU regulations. This initiative reflects the industry's push for greater sustainability and ethical standards in apparel.
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?? SUPPLIER INITIATIVES
Teijin has invested in Circularise, a blockchain platform aimed at enhancing supply chain transparency and sustainability. This partnership will support Teijin's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and improve traceability of materials in compliance with new EU regulations.
Supima’s AQRe Project combines Oritain’s fiber verification and TextileGenesis’ blockchain-inspired tracking to ensure authenticity, quality, and responsibility in Supima cotton’s supply chain, enabling over 160 brands, including Everlane, to achieve end-to-end traceability and meet sustainability goals.
?? COMPLIANCE AND STANDARDS REVIEW
The EU has postponed its deforestation law by a year, delaying implementation to December 2025 for large companies and mid-2026 for smaller ones, following pressure from producer nations and domestic opposition. While intended to curb deforestation linked to products like cocoa, soy, and rubber, the delay faces criticism from environmentalists, who warn it risks further forest degradation and undermines urgent climate commitments.
The newly launched EuroCham Bangladesh aims to strengthen EU-Bangladesh trade relations by fostering good governance and sustainable growth. It plans to support businesses with upcoming EU regulations like the corporate sustainability due diligence directive, textile strategy, and digital product passport, aligning with green and digital transitions.
The Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) calls for adjustments in the AGOA Renewal Act, emphasizing flexible eligibility criteria to support African economies, particularly the textile sector, while ensuring compliance does not impede trade opportunities.
?? DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORT INSIGHT
Article in Italian
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a unique identifier for fashion products, enhancing transparency and sustainability. While not yet mandatory, some brands are adopting it voluntarily to improve consumer trust and prepare for future regulations on sustainable practices.
Executives from major fashion brands gathered at BoF VOICES 2024 to discuss digital product passports (DPPs) as a means of compliance and customer engagement, highlighting their potential for enhancing brand authenticity and fostering consumer relationships.
SMART DPP has launched the first multi-chain digital product passport platform, enhancing transparency and sustainability in fashion. Integrating blockchain technology, it supports brands' ERP systems and aligns with upcoming EU regulations, boosting customer engagement and operational efficiency.
?? INDUSTRY VOICES
In this edition, we feature an article by Pranta Biswas from Tailorlux GmbH, a German company specialising in industrial marking solutions to ensure material authenticity and support digital traceability concepts. Pranta examines the critical connection between material integrity and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) in the recycled textile industry, offering insights into their role in enhancing traceability and compliance within supply chains.
The article explores how the integration of physical tracers with DPPs can address challenges such as counterfeiting, material authenticity, and adherence to sustainability regulations. This approach is presented as a pathway to improving transparency and fostering a more circular and sustainable textile economy, highlighting its potential impact on industry practices and consumer trust.
Bridging Material Integrity and Digital Product Passports in the Recycled Textile Industry
The textile and apparel industry has witnessed a dramatic increase in consumption over recent decades, resulting in substantial environmental degradation and a significant carbon footprint. According to the European Environment Agency, global textile fibre production...
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We look forward to reconnecting with you on Tuesday 10th for our 96th edition!
Director
3 个月A good read - thank you GO TRACE - More Traceability, for Responsible Fashion