The ID Factory presents the Fashion Traceability News Thread #104
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 104th edition of our GO TRACE Newsletter. We are very happy to have back The ID Factory, to supports us in our mission to bring you fresh news on fashion and textile traceability and transparency.
There's quite a bit of interesting news this week! I’ll let you dive in. ??
Enjoy your reading!
Catherine Lomonaco Membré
Founder, GO TRACE
Partner Article
- This content is provided by The ID Factory -
The EU Green Deal is challenging fashion companies to adopt a shared mindset where responsibility, cost, and innovation are addressed collectively across the supply chain. In this interview, Francesca Rulli, CEO of YHub, emphasizes the importance of systemic collaboration and interoperability between stakeholders.
Through its group companies, including The ID Factory - a B Corp specializing in traceability solutions - YHub integrates methodology, technology, and expertise to help brands and suppliers navigate the transition to sustainability.
?? PARTNER WITH US
Showcase your solution at the forefront of Fashion Traceability News! Our readership is constantly growing and the newsletter reaches over 1830 professionals with a keen interest in fashion sustainability and traceability. It includes industry leaders and decision-makers from major brands.
Your solution can help them!
?? INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Gen Z increasingly prioritises brands' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices in their purchasing and investment decisions. Over a third refuse to buy from eco-unfriendly companies, highlighting the importance of sustainability and ethics for future market trends.
The Aid by Trade Foundation is enhancing its traceability program for cotton, introducing independent audits and digital documentation to ensure compliance with new transparency standards from Q1 2025, enabling brands to track raw materials back to their source.
As luxury brands scale back their sustainability efforts, concerns grow over "greenhushing," where companies conceal eco-friendly initiatives to avoid scrutiny, despite increasing consumer demand for transparency and upcoming EU regulations mandating sustainable supply chains.
Article in Portuguese
As the EU prepares to enforce traceability regulations, including the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), Portugal's textile industry is working to align with these new standards. While fast fashion's environmental costs remain high, Portuguese manufacturers are prioritizing supply chain transparency and circular practices to strengthen global competitiveness. With brands increasingly required to disclose material origins, production processes, and sustainability impacts, the shift towards verifiable traceability is becoming a business necessity.
?? TRACEABILITY INNOVATION
Article in Swedish
Sweden has the potential to become a global leader in the textile industry's transformation by investing in AI and blockchain technology, enabling supply chain transparency, real-time lifecycle assessments, and stronger sustainability and ethical labor standards.
Article in French
In 2025, the European Flax and Hemp Alliance will launch a traceability platform for European flax, revamping its labels. The Masters of Flax Fibre label will certify premium fibres, while digital tracking aims to enhance production transparency in the industry.
领英推荐
The SouABR traceability programme, led by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers (Abrapa), achieved significant success in 2024, with over 190,000 traceable textile pieces and recognition at the Amcham Award. It promotes sustainable practices and connects consumers to product origins, enhancing transparency in Brazilian fashion.
?? BRAND INITIATIVES
Boohoo is enhancing its sustainability efforts by cultivating its own cotton in Pakistan, aiming for complete traceability. This initiative follows scrutiny over supply chain practices and aligns with their commitment to sustainable materials by 2025.
?? COMPLIANCE AND STANDARDS REVIEW
The TUC proposes robust mandatory due diligence legislation in the UK to enforce global value chain responsibilities, addressing human rights and environmental impacts while ensuring accountability for businesses, enhancing worker protections, and reversing the burden of proof.
Mandatory ESG reporting and stricter supply chain regulations are emerging globally, with increased scrutiny on corporate practices. Activists leverage existing laws for enforcement, while some U.S. states push back against ESG initiatives, complicating compliance efforts for businesses.
The US has added 37 companies to its Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, impacting over 18,000 global businesses. This expansion aims to combat forced labour in supply chains, particularly affecting the cotton and textile industries.
?? DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORT INSIGHT
French Furniture Brand Ligne Roset Adds Digital Product Passport To Classic SofaLuxury furniture brand Ligne Roset and fashion label Serendipity Clothing have integrated Digital Product Passports (DPPs) using QR codes and NFC chips to enhance traceability, authentication, and customer engagement. While Ligne Roset ensures product authenticity and compliance with EU traceability regulations, Serendipity Clothing leverages NFC tags for ownership certification, resale tracking, and direct consumer interaction, reinforcing fashion’s shift towards verifiable transparency and ethical production.
?? CIRCULAR ECONOMY & SUSTAINABILITY
Petcore Europe is calling for mandatory Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and stronger traceability in polyester textiles under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Their proposal includes 20% recycled content in garments by 2030, harmonized sorting guidelines, and bans on unsorted textile exports, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in fashion supply chains.
Article in German
Freitag and Bieri Tenta AG have developed a circular textile truck tarp, tested over two years, that meets logistics industry standards while ensuring recyclability; alongside this, they are implementing a Digital Product Passport (DPP) with RFID and QR codes to track textile materials, optimize recycling, and support a full circular economy. This innovation strengthens transparency in technical textiles, aligning with broader sustainability goals in the fashion and textile industry.
?? ETHICAL TRACEABILITY INSIGHTS
Luxury fashion brands are under increasing scrutiny to ensure transparency and ethical sourcing in their leather supply chains. With growing demand for traceable, responsibly sourced leather, major labels are adopting sustainability certifications, regenerative farming practices, and digital tracking systems to prove their materials’ origins.
Thank you for reading this new edition of the GO TRACE Newsletter.
We appreciate your continued interest and support.
Read our previous editions to catch up, and subscribe for future updates!
We look forward to reconnecting with you on Friday 7th for our 105th edition!
Just a heads-up: There won't be a news publication next Tuesday, February 11th.