Tackling the Traceability Gap: Enabling Full Transparency in Fashion’s Supply Chain

The global fashion industry faces a pivotal moment as sustainability and traceability become non-negotiable expectations from both regulators and consumers. Today’s complex, multi-tiered supply chains span from fiber producers to retail, involving hundreds of players across regions. Yet, a staggering 95% of leading fashion brands cannot trace their supply chains beyond the second tier, known as the processing stage, creating major gaps in authenticity and sustainability. 

Relying solely on supplier declarations is no longer sufficient — brands must adopt robust, reliable, and scalable digital solutions to certify authenticity at every supply chain stage. However, full traceability requires a united effort from all stakeholders, which goes beyond technology, by adopting a disruptive approach: fiber-forwards traceability. 

Technology is Not Enough: A United Effort to Embrace Fiber-Forward Traceability

For years, fashion brands have been implementing traceability initiatives, starting with their first-level subcontractors, as they often lack visibility beyond their second-level subcontractors. This approach is based on a system that relies on declarations made after production is completed, which leaves room for fraud, misreporting, and duplicate or falsified declarations. The only way to achieve complete and authentic traceability is to integrate both upstream and downstream supply chain flows. Fiber and material suppliers must follow the chain backwards through the various levels of transformation, while brands must map the chain in the opposite direction, starting with orders placed with their subcontractors. This cross-functional approach enables accurate and reliable mapping, greater transparency, and precise documentation of each stage of transformation.

By tracking each fiber from its origin, brands eliminate the gray areas that can compromise sustainability claims. The fiber-forward model has redefined traceability, offering a reliable, verifiable pathway that meets consumer and regulatory expectations alike but also positions brands as leaders in ethical and transparent fashion.  

To embrace fiber-forward traceability, it requires a united effort and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including brands, fiber producers, standard bodies, suppliers and third-party auditors. True traceability demands collective action across the fashion ecosystem. Each plays a critical role in ensuring accountability, and driving progress toward a more transparent industry.

Brands. Organizational buy-in across departments, from sourcing and sustainability to compliance and IT, is critical for success. By forming cross-functional teams, brands can streamline traceability processes, and gain a deeper understanding of their collections, sourcing patterns, and the complexities of global supply chains. These teams enable brands to align their operational practices with their sustainability goals. Leading brands also incorporate traceability into contractual requirements with suppliers, setting clear KPIs, and providing training to align incentives with transparency goals.

Sustainable fiber producers. Positioned at the start of the value chain, fiber producers were among the earliest adopters of fiber-forward traceability. Their efforts ensure that fibers can be traced from their fields or facilities to retail consumers, validating sustainability claims and building trust in their materials. Producers are also leveraging multi-layered verification methods, such as forensic and isotopic testing, to further enhance traceability robustness.

Material certification standards. Common standards simplify trade, and provide a shared framework for sustainability across global markets. Integrated traceability platforms act as a backbone for these standards, enabling textile manufacturers to export certified products with confidence while supporting brands in maintaining diverse, sustainable product lines. Real-time verification of certification data ensures that outdated or counterfeit documents do not compromise traceability claims, further strengthening data integrity.

Independent third-party audit bodies. Verification by third parties is essential to ensuring the accuracy of traceability claims. Recognized certification bodies and industry-led standards provide structured frameworks for responsible sourcing, while fiber origin verification — through forensic, isotopic, or digital traceability technologies — helps ensure materials remain authentic throughout the supply chain. These audits are complemented by AI-driven document verification and dynamic audits, which reduce errors and strengthen data reliability. Combining digital and physical verification methods establishes a comprehensive foundation for transparent supply chains.

The Journey Toward Traceability Transforms Transparency into a Strategic Asset

Widespread adoption of traceability technologies across the ecosystem is essential to accelerate the industry’s transition to more responsible practices. This collective action ensures that traceability becomes an integral part of a sustainable fashion future. By co…